The 1924 Cuba hurricane is the first officially recorded Category 5Atlantic hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale (SSHWS), as well as the first Atlantic hurricane with sustained wind speeds of at least 135, 140, and 145 knots (155, 160, and 165 miles per hour). It is also one of two hurricanes to make landfall on Cuba at Category 5 intensity, the other being Hurricane Irma in 2017 – both are also tied for the strongest Cuban landfall in terms of maximum sustained winds. The hurricane formed on October14 in the western Caribbean, slowly organizing as it tracked northwestward. By October16, the storm attained hurricane status to the east of the Yucatán Peninsula, and subsequently executed a small counterclockwise loop. On Friday, October18, the hurricane intensified rapidly and, on the next day, reached an estimated peak intensity of 165mph (266km/h). Shortly thereafter, it struck extreme western Cuba at peak intensity, becoming the strongest hurricane on record to hit the country. Later the hurricane weakened greatly, striking southwestern Florida with winds of 90mph (140km/h) in a sparsely populated region. While crossing the state it weakened to tropical storm status, and after accelerating east-northeastward, it was absorbed by a cold front on October23, to the south of Bermuda.
Across the western Caribbean Sea, the developing storm produced heavy rainfall and increased winds. Strong winds in western Cuba caused severe damage, with two small towns nearly destroyed. About 90people were killed in the country, all in Pinar del Río Province. Later, the hurricane brought heavy rainfall to southern Florida, which caused flooding and crop damage. Damage was light in the state, and there were no casualties.
Meteorological history
On October14, a tropical depression was first observed over the western Caribbean Sea, just off the eastern Honduras coast. It was a large and weak tropical cyclone, moving slowly northwestward and gradually intensifying. On October15, it is estimated the depression attained tropical storm status, and its strengthening became more steady. The next day, the storm reached hurricane status about 130mi (210km) southeast of Cozumel, Quintana Roo. Around that time, it began to execute a small counterclockwise loop off the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. By October18 the hurricane completed the loop, during which its winds increased to 115mph (185km/h); this is the equivalent of a major hurricane, or a Category3 on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. The estimation of its strength at this point was based on subsequent analysis of peripheral recordings of atmospheric pressure and maximum sustained winds by ships and land stations.[1]
Beginning late on October18, as the system tracked north-northeastward toward Cuba, the hurricane underwent rapid deepening, evidenced by a ship wind report of 120mph (190km/h). This wind report was initially thought to be the peak intensity of the cyclone; however, subsequent research confirmed further deepening, based on very low pressures recorded across the region. A ship in the radius of maximum winds reported a reading of 922mbar; the barometer on the ship was found to be 5mbar too high, resulting in a pressure of 917mbar.[1] Additionally, a station on land reported a pressure of 932mbar (27.5inHg).[2] Based on the readings, the Hurricane Research Division estimated the hurricane attained a minimum central pressure of 910mbar very near the western coast of Cuba; this suggested peak winds of 165mph (266km/h). Late on October19, the hurricane made landfall in extreme western Cuba in Pinar del Río Province.[1]José Carlos Millás, director of the National Observatory at Havana, believed that "this hurricane [was] one of the most severe ever experienced in our latitudes."[2]
After exiting Cuba into the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane weakened greatly. On October20, it passed a short distance west of Key West, Florida, and very early on October21, the hurricane moved over Marco Island, with winds of 90mph (140km/h). The cyclone weakened further as it turned eastward through the state, deteriorating to tropical storm status as it passed near or over Miami. It then accelerated east-northeastward, moving over the Abaco Islands in The Bahamas. Gradually weakening, the storm began interacting with an approaching cold front; late on October23, it transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, and was absorbed by the front shortly thereafter.[1]
Impact and records
As a developing tropical cyclone, the storm produced increased winds and lower pressures in the Swan Islands, off the coast of Honduras.[1] Heavy rainfall occurred throughout Jamaica, causing street flooding and several mudslides, but little damage. No disruptions were reported to communications or railway travel.[3] The storm brushed eastern Belize while located off the coast, producing 3.62 inches (92mm) of rainfall and light winds.[4]
In extreme western Cuba, damage was very severe from the strong winds, likened to the impact of a tornado. Severe damage was reported in Los Arroyos and Arroyos de Mantua. In the latter location, around a dozen people were killed, 50 were injured, and nearly every building in the town was severely damaged; heavy losses also occurred to the tobacco crop.[2] Across western Pinar del Río Province, the hurricane destroyed all communication links.[5] Further from the center, the capital city of Havana recorded southerly winds of 72mph (116km/h), as well as a minimum pressure of about 999mbar (29.5inHg).[2] Around the country, the hurricane capsized several ships, primarily fishing vessels. The death toll in the country was estimated at 90.[5] In the days after the storm, Cuban President Zayas authorized about $30,000 in relief aid to send to hurricane victims in Pinar del Río.[6]
Several days prior to striking Florida, the outer circulation began producing rainfall across the state. Storm warnings were issued along the east and west coastlines northward to Cedar Key and Titusville.[7] Later, hurricane warnings were issued for much of the same area,[8] and schools in the Tampa area were closed as the storm was expected to move ashore.[9] The hurricane first affected Florida when it passed west of Key West, where sustained winds of 66mph (106km/h), along with gusts to 74mph (119km/h), were reported. Little damage occurred in the region, limited to downed trees; this was due to advance warning by the U.S. Weather Bureau, which advised ships to remain at port and for residents to secure property.[2] Later, the hurricane moved ashore in a sparsely populated region of southwestern Florida.[2] Damage was reported in Fort Myers and Punta Gorda and communications were temporarily cut, although no deaths were reported.[10] Heavy rainfall was reported along its path, and one location accumulated 23.22 inches (590mm) in a 24‑hour period; this established a new one-day rainfall record in the state. A station in Miami recorded 12.18 inches (309mm), and wind gusts in the area approached hurricane force. The combination of winds and rain damaged 5% of the local citrus and avocado crop.[1] The rainfall flooded streets, homes, and commercial buildings in the Miami area, and hundreds of people were left without telephone access.[11] No impact was reported in the Bahamas.[1]
After a reanalysis of hurricanes between 1921 and 1925, the National Hurricane Centers Atlantic reanalysis project determined that this hurricane attained maximum sustained winds of 165mph (266km/h), making it a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. The hurricane is the earliest known to have attained the intensity, besting the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, which was previously thought to be the earliest storm of this intensity. It is also one of only two on record to make landfall in Cuba at Category5 status, with the other being Hurricane Irma of 2017, which also made landfall with maximum sustained winds of 165mph (266km/h).[12][1] A hurricane in 1846 that hit the country was also thought to have struck at Category5 status, although the storm existed prior to the start of the Atlantic hurricane database.[13]
When the steamship "Toledo" recorded an atmospheric pressure of 922mbar (27.2inHg) during the 1924 Cuba hurricane, it was the lowest pressure recorded in an Atlantic hurricane, breaking the previous record of 924 mbar (27.28 inHg) in the Atlantic hurricane of 1853. The record during this storm lasted until the 1932 Cuba hurricane, when a minimum pressure of 915mbar (27.0inHg) was reported.[14] The reading of 932mbar (27.5inHg) at Los Arroyos in Mantua, Pinar del Río remains the lowest pressure recorded on land in Cuba.[15]
John P. Cangialosi; Andrew S. Latto; Robbie J. Berg (March 9, 2018). Hurricane Irma (AL112017)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on August 31, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
Alejandro Bezanilla (August 2001). "Meteorological Records in Cuba". SOMETCUBA Bulletin. Cuban Meteorological Society. Archived from the original on 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
Alejandro Bezanilla (January 2000). "Meteorological Records in Cuba (2)". SOMETCUBA Bulletin. Cuban Meteorological Society. Archived from the original on 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
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