| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Formed | June 10, 1904 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | June 14, 1904 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 80 mph (130 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 1003 mbar (hPa); 29.62 inHg |
| Fatalities | 87-250+ |
| Areas affected | Jamaica, Cuba |
| Part of the 1904 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The 1904 Cuba hurricane was the deadliest tropical cyclone in the country since another hurricane in 1894. The first observed storm of the 1904 Atlantic hurricane season, it developed as a tropical depression over the southwestern Caribbean Sea on June 10. Moving north to north-northeast, the depression strengthened slowly, reaching tropical storm intensity by early on July 12. After curving to the northeast, the storm strengthened further. It became a Category 1 hurricane on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale on July 13, several hours before peaking with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Shortly thereafter, the hurricane made landfall near Pilón in Granma Province, Cuba. Early on July 14, the cyclone weakened to a tropical storm. It soon emerged into the Atlantic Ocean, but continued weakening, falling to tropical depression intensity and dissipating over the southeastern Bahamas late on July 14.
In Jamaica, the slow moving storm brought over 10 inches (250 mm) of rainfall to the western portions of the island. Subsequent flooding resulted in the inundation of a number of roads and several bridges washing away, isolating some areas. Heavy precipitation also fell in eastern Cuba, with the city of Santiago de Cuba observing about 14 in (360 mm) of rainfall in only five hours. About 150 homes were damaged or destroyed, while many mines and roads and railways were impacted. El Corbe was also among the cities most devastated by the storm. Low lying areas of the city were completely destroyed, as were bridges, railroad bridges, and railways. At least 87 deaths occurred, with some sources estimating that over 250 people were killed.
Meteorological history edit
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionThe origins of this hurricane are uncertain over the southwestern Caribbean Sea.[1] Based on historical weather maps, a ship first observed this system 12°42′N 82°12′W / 12.7°N 82.2°W on June 10.[2] On this day, the cyclone was classified as a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC within the Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT), while located about 65 miles (105 km) east-southeast of Isla de Providencia in the Colombian department of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina. Moving north to north-northeast, the depression strengthened slowly, reaching tropical storm intensity by early on July 12,[3] based on ship observations.[2] After curving to the northeast, the storm strengthened further.[3]
Reanalysis by Ramón Pérez of the Cuban Institute of Meteorology in 2000 concluded that the cyclone intensified into a Category 1 hurricane on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale at 12:00 UTC on July 13.[1][3] That day, the hurricane peaked with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1,003 mbar (29.6 inHg), with the former estimated by Suárez and the latter observed by a weather station in Jamaica.[1][2] Shortly before 00:00 UTC on July 14, the storm made landfall near Pilón, Granma Province, Cuba, at the same intensity. Soon after moving inland, the system weakened to a tropical storm. Around 06:00 UTC, it emerged into the Atlantic Ocean, but continued weakening. The storm fell to tropical depression intensity late on July 14 and promptly dissipated over the southeastern Bahamas between Crooked Island and Long Island around 18:00 UTC.[3]
Impact edit
In Jamaica, the slow moment of the storm resulted in heavy rainfall in the western portions of the island. At the observatory in Kempshot, located south of Montego Bay, 5.63 inches (143 mm) of rain was recorded, while other nearby areas likely received about twice as much precipitation. Also at the Kempshot Observatory, a sustained wind speed of 60 mph (97 km/h) was observed, while gusts reached 70 mph (110 km/h). The bridge spanning the Montego Bay River, a masonry bridge built more than 100 years prior, was swept away. A number of other roads and bridges were damaged, isolated parts of western Jamaica.[4]
Devastating floods occurred in eastern Cuba. About 14 in (360 mm) of precipitation fell in only five hours at Santiago de Cuba. The Canto River overflowed, inundating many roads and a total of 150 homes were damaged or destroyed, while the mines and railroads were also severely impacted. Communication via telegraph was severely disrupted. Property loss overall was "enormous". Cattle and five people died during the storm.[5] The aqueduct was damaged, temporarily leaving residents without potable water.[6] At Daiquirí, the mines flooded, drowning six people.[7] Several bridges were downed throughout the city and the pier was damaged.[7][5] In the vicinity of Guantánamo, the Bano, Guaso, and Jaibo rivers also exceeded their banks.[8] Adjacent areas flooded, resulting in 10 fatalities. Fourteen deaths occurred in El Caney.[5]
In El Cobre, the Río El Cobre exceeded its banks, destroying the lower lying areas of the village due to flooding. All bridges in the vicinity of El Cobre were destroyed, including railroad bridges; railroad tracks were also damaged. As many as 250 fatalities may have occurred there, with some bodies being swept down the Río El Cobre and into Bahia de Santiago de Cuba, a distance of approximately 8 mi (13 km). Boats patrolling the bay recovered 20 bodies.[7] Several miles of railroad tracks were destroyed in the Santiago de Cuba Province, while four railroad bridges washed away.[5] Although impact was primarily limited to the Santiago de Cuba area, a train about 40 mi (64 km) inland could not proceed along its route due to washouts. Overall, at least 87 deaths occurred,[9] while other sources indicate that there were over 250 fatalities. The steamer Thomas Brooks, traveling from Haiti to Santiago de Cuba, was lost.[7]
A train carrying relief supplies crashed in Morón in modern day Ciego de Ávila Province, killing two employees, but causing no injury to passengers.[5] The Government of Cuba authorized $2,000 in expenditures for the relief of the victims.[7]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c Christopher W. Landsea; et al. Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT. Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ^ a b c Jose F. Partagas (1997). Year 1904 (PDF). Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Maxwell Hall (June 15, 1904). Cyclonic Depression and Flooding in Jamaica (PDF). Weather Bureau (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. p. 273. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "Storm Killed Over 100". The New York Times. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. June 18, 1904. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^ "A Cuban Tornado". Albany Democrat-Herald. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. June 24, 1904. p. 4. Retrieved June 25, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Cuba Swept by a Great Storm". The Wilkes-Barre Record. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. June 17, 1904. p. 1. Retrieved June 24, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Great Loss of Life". The Semi-Weekly Times-Democrat. Guantánamo, Cuba. June 21, 1904. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Edward N. Rappaport; Jose Fernandez-Partagas (April 22, 1997). The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492-1996 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
