1901 Louisiana hurricane
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Formed | August 2, 1901 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | August 18, 1901 |
| (Extratropical after August 16, 1901) | |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 90 mph (150 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 973 mbar (hPa); 28.73 inHg |
| Fatalities | 15 |
| Damage | $1 million (1901 USD) |
| Areas affected | Florida, Gulf Coast of the United States |
| Part of the 1901 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The 1901 Louisiana hurricane caused locally severe damage in some areas of Louisiana and Mississippi in August 1901. The fourth known tropical cyclone and second hurricane of the annual season, this storm developed in an unusual location, to the southwest of the Azores on August 2. Moving southwestward and later westward, the depression remained weak for several days, until strengthening into a tropical storm while approaching the Bahamas early on August 9. It then crossed through the islands and intensified only slightly. Late on August 10, the storm made landfall near Deerfield Beach, Florida. The system weakened to a tropical storm early on August 16 and became extratropical several hours later. After reaching the Gulf of Mexico the next day, continuous deepening occurred and by August 12, the storm reached hurricane status. Peaking with winds of 90 mph (150 km/h), it struck Louisiana late on August 14 and then Mississippi less than 24 hours later.
Along portions of the east coast of Florida, "considerable damage" was reported due to strong winds. In Alabama, trees were uprooted, houses were de-roofed, and chimneys collapsed in Mobile. Some areas of the city were also inundated with up to 18 inches (460 mm) of water due to storm tide. All towns along the coast of Mississippi "suffered seriously". In Louisiana, severe damage was reported at some towns due to strong winds and high tides. The community of Port Eads reported that only the lighthouse remained standing. In New Orleans, overflowing levees inundated numerous streets. Overall, the storm caused 15 deaths and $1 million (1901 USD) in damage.[nb 1]
Meteorological history
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 depressionA tropical depression developed about 615 miles (990 km) southwest of Flores Island, Azores at 0000 UTC on August 2. The depression moved southwestward and remained weak for several days. On August 5, it re-curved west-southwestward and then westward while passing north of the Lesser Antilles. The next day, the system curved west-northwestward and briefly to the west on August 8. Finally, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm at 0000 UTC on August 9, while located about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Cat Island, Bahamas.[1] Around that time, the Weather Bureau first observed a "feeble disturbance in the subtropical north of Cuba."[2] Between August 9 and August 10, the storm strengthened slightly further and moved through the Bahamas, passing over Cat Island and the Berry Islands.[1] Around 2200 UTC on August 10, the system made landfall near Deerfield Beach, Florida with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h).[1]
Early on August 11, the storm weakened slightly while crossing Florida. It then decelerated and reached the eastern Gulf of Mexico several hours later. Thereafter, the system began to re-strengthen and became a Category 1 hurricane on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale at 1200 UTC on August 12. Early the next day, the storm attained its maximum sustained wind speed of 90 mph (150 km/h). It weakened slightly early on August 14 and curved northwestward while approaching the coast of Louisiana. At 2100 UTC, the storm made landfall near Buras with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). Curving northeastward, the hurricane re-emerged into the Gulf of Mexico early on August 15. However, around 1700 UTC, it made another landfall near Ocean Springs, Mississippi at the same intensity. Early on August 16, the system weakened to a tropical storm. It then weakened much quicker and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over Mississippi at 0000 UTC on August 17. The remnant extratropical cyclone persisted until late the next day, at which time it dissipated over Indiana.[1]
Preparations and Impact
As the storm approached the east coast of Florida on August 10, a warning was sent to all Weather Bureau stations in Florida, as well as Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina regarding a "disturbance of moderate intensity", which posed a threat to small crafts in Florida and the western Bahamas. The next day, as the storm was moving across Florida, another message sent to Weather Bureau stations from New Orleans to Charleston warned of the potential for severe squalls along the west coast of Florida. While approaching the Gulf Coast of the United States on August 13, storm warnings were ordered for Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, as well as the west coast of Florida. At the National Weather Service office in New Orleans, Louisiana, hurricane warnings were ordered in Louisiana from mouth of the Mississippi River westward on August 15 and expanded to eastern Texas later that day. In New Orleans, 500 men, who were city authorities or levee board members, worked to strengthen the levees along canals in the city. Throughout much of the Gulf Coast of the United States, vessels and ships were warned to take precautions and remain in port.[2]
In Florida, "considerable damage" due to strong winds was reported along portions of the east coast. Wind gusts reached 70 mph (110 km/h) in Pensacola.[3] Strong winds up to 60 mph (97 km/h) were observed in the Mobile area of Alabama,[2] uprooting trees, unroofing houses, and toppling chimneys. Tides inundated the cotton exchange with up to 18 inches (460 mm) of water, while the Western Union, post office, and electrical house for railroads were also flooded.[4] However, due to warnings by the Weather Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce estimated that several millions of dollars in damage was evaded. All towns along the coast of Mississippi "suffered seriously".[2]
High winds and rough seas were observed in Louisiana. In Port Eads, 5-minute sustained winds reached 56 mph (90 km/h), before the anemometer blew away. At the same location, a 24-hour rainfall record was set for the month of August, with 7.64 inches (194 mm) of precipitation observed.[5] The weather instrument shelter was swept away due to storm tides and the flag staff was broken. Further, the office building weathered the storm, but documents were soaked. Severe damage occurred, with the only building not destroyed was the lighthouse.[2] Fifteen fatalities were reported after a house was swept away by storm tides.[3] In Pilottown, the large "lookout" tower was toppled and destroyed. The outhouse in which displaymen used and slept in was blown over and then filled with rapidly filled with water, due to tides rising to 4 feet (1.2 m) in only 10 minutes. Additionally, property of the Weather Bureau was also damaged.[2]
Buras reported 4 feet (1.2 m) of water in town.[5] River stages along the Mississippi River at New Orleans rose to a level of 7 feet (2.1 m) during the storm, producing much flooding. The Carondelet Canal also overflowed, inundating streets in the neighborhood of Tremé with 1 to 3 feet (0.30 to 0.91 m) of water. Levee breaks around New Orleans flooded the city. Additionally, strong winds littered the streets with tree branches. The worst hit areas of New Orleans were the neighborhoods of Bucktown, Milneburg, West End, all of which are located on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Overall, damage in Louisiana reached $1 million, which excluded losses to crops.[2]
See also
Notes
References
- ^ a b c d "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- Landsea, Chris (April 2022). "The revised Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT2) - Chris Landsea – April 2022" (PDF). Hurricane Research Division – NOAA/AOML. Miami: Hurricane Research Division – via Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory.
- ^ a b c d e f g Edward B. Garriott (1901). Forecasts and Warnings (PDF). Weather Bureau (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
- ^ a b Jose Fernandez Partagas and Henry F. Diaz (1996). Year 1901 (PDF). Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ^ "Hurricane's Great Havoc Near Mobile". Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. Los Angeles, California: California Digital Newspaper Collection. August 17, 1901. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ^ a b David M. Roth (April 8, 2010). Louisiana Hurricane History (PDF). Weather Prediction Center (Report). College Park, Maryland: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 1, 2014.