The September 1948 Florida hurricane (Air Weather Service designation: Easy) was the most intense tropical cyclone to make landfall in the state since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane.[1] The fourth hurricane and third major hurricane of the season,[nb 1] this storm developed from a tropical wave over the Caribbean Sea on September18. Early the next day, the system strengthened into a hurricane while moving westward passing close to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.[3] Thereafter, it curved northwestward and continued to deepen. By September20, the system turned northward and later that day made landfall in Zapata Peninsula, Cuba as a Category3 hurricane on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. Another landfall occurred in Cuba early the next day to the south of Güines. Severe destruction was reported on the island, with winds up to 90mph (140km/h) observed in Havana. Over 700buildings were destroyed. Ten deaths occurred and damage totaled at least $2million (1948USD),[nb 2] while other sources estimate "several million dollars."
Quick Facts Meteorological history, Formed ...
Hurricane Eight (Easy)
Radar image of the hurricane on September 21, 1948
After emerging into the Straits of Florida on September21, the storm resumed intensification, before striking near Boca Chica Key, Florida with winds of 120mph (195km/h). By early on September22, the system peaked as a Category4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130mph (215km/h). Shortly thereafter, another landfall occurred near Chokoloskee, Florida at the same intensity. Severe damage was reported in the state due to strong winds. The storm was considered the worst in Key West since the 1919 Florida Keys hurricane. Throughout the state, 1,200homes were severely damaged or destroyed, while 40businesses were demolished and 237suffered impact. Throughout Florida, there were three fatalities and approximately $12million (1948USD) in damage, over half of which was inflicted on crops. The storm rapidly weakened while crossing the state and emerged into the Atlantic Ocean as only a Category1 hurricane later on September22. Slight fluctuations in intensity occurred before the hurricane became extratropical early on September24, while located northwest of Bermuda.
Meteorological history
A tropical wave– an elongated trough of low pressure– was detected moving through the Leeward Islands on September14. The system acquired a circulation while situated between Grand Cayman and Jamaica on September18.[4] Thus, a tropical storm developed at 06:00UTC. With initial sustained winds of 45mph (75km/h), the storm quickly intensified while heading westward, and became a Category1 hurricane on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale early on September19 while passing near Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.[3] Later that day, the storm strengthened into a Category2 hurricane and then a Category3 hurricane only six hours after. The hurricane turned northward on September20 and made landfall on the Zapata Peninsula of Cuba with winds of 125mph (205km/h) at 22:00UTC. With the storm continuing to move northward, it made another landfall in Cuba at 01:00UTC the following day near Güines, Mayabeque Province. Emerging into the Straits of Florida early on September21, the hurricane weakened somewhat to a minimal Category3 hurricane while moving across Cuba.[5]
The hurricane restrengthened slightly on September21, before making landfall near Boca Chica Key, Florida at 17:00UTC, with sustained winds of 120mph (195km/h).[5] Around that time, the storm's eye was only 10mi (16km) in diameter.[6] However, it deepened further and became a Category4 hurricane early on September22. At 05:00UTC, the system attained its peak intensity with a maximum sustained wind speed of 130mph (215km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 940mbar (28inHg). Simultaneously, it struck near Chokoloskee, Florida.[5] Due to the storm's barometric pressure at the time, it was the most intense tropical cyclone landfall in Florida since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane.[1] Several locations reported an "eye", leading some meteorologists at the time to suggest that the storm had multiple circulations, though others theorized that dry air pockets existed between the rainbands.[6] The hurricane rapidly weakened while moving northeastward across the state and was only a Category1 hurricane upon emerging into the Atlantic Ocean near Jensen Beach late on September22. Slight re-intensification occurred the following day, with the storm becoming a moderate Category2 hurricane by 12:00UTC. Nonetheless, it began losing tropical characteristics and transitioning into an extratropical cyclone early on September24, while located about 330 miles (530km) northwest of Bermuda. The remnants accelerated to the east-northeastward and continued to weaken, before dissipating hundreds of miles east of Newfoundland on September26.[5]
Preparations and impact
Offshore Grand Cayman, the British steamer Lochmonar, with 72people aboard, encountered the hurricane on September19. The ship ran aground in seas that were "as rough as hell".[7] They were safely rescued by a United States Coast Guard tugboat on September20.[8]
Strong winds were reported on Cuba, with sustained winds up to 90mph (140km/h) observed in Havana. Damage was particularly severe in that city and Matanzas.[4] Almost 700buildings were destroyed.[9] Damage on the island totaled "several million dollars",[4] with some sources reporting at least $2million.[9] There were ten deaths and at least 200injuries in Cuba.[4][10]
In preparation for the storm, the American Red Cross opened 213shelters, which were collectively occupied by 38,323people.[4] Officials prepared two trains at Fort Pierce to evacuate residents living along Lake Okeechobee.[11] Many residents in the area sought higher ground, but most refused to evacuate via the trains.[12] Strong winds lashed Florida, with a sustained wind speed of 122mph (196km/h) observed at the Naval Air Station Key West, before the anemometer blew away.[4] There, 30commercial and private aircraft were destroyed.[10] Winds de-roofed some homes and businesses nearby.[11] Tides reached about 6ft (1.8m) above mean low water.[6] The hurricane was considered the worst in Key West since 1919.[10] About 3–5in (76–127mm) of rain fell on the Florida Keys.[4]
In Homestead, a tornado destroyed a farmhouse and overturned a 3,000lb (1,400kg) truck.[13] Two deaths occurred in Miami; a woman was electrocuted by a broken wire, while a man was presumably blown off a 5-story building.[10] Tides in the city reached 4.5ft (1.4m) above mean low water, causing inundation of the bayfront and smashing large breakers and small crafts against the shore and piers. In the neighborhood of Coconut Grove, docking facilities, piers, and houseboats were severely damaged. Strong winds downed palm trees, which littered the streets of Lummus Park. The road to the Haulover Bridge in Miami Beach was washed away.[6] Additionally, heavy rainfall caused flooding, with 10 to 11in (250 to 280mm) of precipitation in some areas. Around Lake Okeechobee, an average of 8in (200mm) of rainfall was observed. Clewiston was inundated with 2 to 3ft (0.61 to 0.91m) of water, while LaBelle was submerged for several days. Pasture lands were flooded, drowning some cattle and prompting a massive evacuation of herds to higher ground. Widespread damage to crops, particularly citrus and tropical fruits, was also reported along east coast of Florida as far north as the Indian River.[4]
Throughout Florida, a total of 39homes were destroyed, while 1,161others were severely damaged. Further, 40buildings were demolished and 237suffered impact. Three deaths were reported in Florida. Additionally, there were 45injuries requiring hospitalization. Overall, damage in the state totaled about $12million, with $5million inflicted to property, $6.5million to crops, $300,000 to electrical services, and $200,000 to roadway infrastructure, including bridges.[4]
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. May 23, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
Severe Local Storms For September 1948(PDF). Weather Bureau (Report). Washington, D.C.: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1948. p.217. Retrieved May 22, 2014.