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1893 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	June 12, 1893
Last system dissipated	November 9, 1893
Strongest storm
Name	"Cheniere Caminada"
• Maximum winds	130 mph (215 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure	948 mbar (hPa; 27.99 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions	12
Total storms	12
Hurricanes	10
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+)	5
Total fatalities	~4,028
Total damage	At least $6 million (1893 USD)
Related article
1890s North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons
Atlantic hurricane seasons 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895

The 1893 Atlantic hurricane season ran through the summer and the first half of fall in 1893. The 1893 season was fairly active, with 12 tropical storms forming, 10 of which became hurricanes. Of those, five became major hurricanes. This season proved to be a very deadly season, with two different hurricanes each causing over 2,000 deaths in the United States; at the time, the season was the deadliest in U.S. history. The season was one of two seasons on record to see four Atlantic hurricanes active simultaneously, along with the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season. Additionally, August 15, 1893 was the only time since the advent of modern record keeping that three storms have formed on the same day (Hurricanes Four, Five, and Six) until 2020 saw Wilfred, Alpha, and Beta forming on the same day; and for the first time, there were two high-intensity hurricanes simultaneously in one month of August, and this was not repeated until the year 2023.

Timeline

Systems

Hurricane One

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	June 10 – June 19
Peak intensity	80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min); 990 mbar (hPa)

Observations from ships indicated the presence of a tropical storm in the Bay of Campeche on June 12. The storm moved northeastward across the Gulf of Mexico and intensified into a strong tropical storm. Around 23:00 UTC on June 15, the system made landfall southwest of Perry, Florida, with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). The cyclone weakened somewhat while moving over Florida and coastal portions of Georgia and the Carolinas. After emerging into the Atlantic near the North Carolina–Virginia state line early on June 17, the storm strengthened, reaching hurricane intensity later that day. On June 19, a ship located in the vicinity of the storm recorded a barometric pressure around 999 mbar (29.5 inHg) - the lowest in relation to the cyclone. However, the system then became losing tropical characteristics and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about 155 mi (250 km) south of Saint Pierre and Miquelon by 00:00 UTC on June 20.

Several locations in the Southeastern United States observed tropical storm-force winds, with the strongest recorded sustained wind speed being 56 mph (90 km/h) in Charleston, South Carolina.

Hurricane Two

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	July 4 – July 7
Peak intensity	100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min);

Observations of this storm began as early as July 4 in the southwestern Caribbean Sea, with a ship encountering the cyclone about 130 mi (210 km) north-northeast of Colón, Panama. The system intensified steadily while moving northwestward, becoming a hurricane around 12:00 UTC on the following day. About six hours later, the storm intensified into a Category 2 hurricane and peaked with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h). The hurricane then made landfall near the Nicaragua–Honduras border. The cyclone weakened back to a Category 1 before re-emerging into the Caribbean off the north coast of Honduras early on July 6. Continuing northwestward, the system then re-strengthened slightly, reaching winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) prior to making landfall in northern Belize around 00:00 UTC on July 7. The cyclone weakened rapidly over the Yucatán Peninsula and dissipated just offshore Tabasco several hours later.

The storm sank several ships, including many steamers loaded with fruit in Honduras. About 6,000 bunches of bananas awaiting shipment were washed away at Bonito, while fruit plantations also experienced extensive damage. A number of homes on Roatán were also severely damaged. The hurricane reportedly caused a large loss of life. It has been paleotempestologically traced in sediment near Gales Point in Belize.

Hurricane Three

Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	August 13 – August 22
Peak intensity	120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min); 956 mbar (hPa)

Hurricane San Roque of 1893

The third storm of the season formed on August 13 east of the Lesser Antilles. It steadily strengthened to a hurricane while moving over the Leeward Islands. While approaching Puerto Rico on August 16, its winds increased to major hurricane status before landfall at Patillas. It crossed the island and exited near Isabela. There were heavy rains over the island of Puerto Rico and damages to the agricultural crops, especially coffee. In San Juan 2.36 inches of rain were reported. The eye remained over Puerto Rico for a period of seven hours. The lowest barometric pressure reading recorded in San Juan was 29.17 inches. Four deaths were reported. This was the first hurricane in Puerto Rico where flags were used to alert the public about the danger of an approaching hurricane; they were flown from government buildings.

Although landfall weakened the storm, the storm regained major hurricane status as it approached the Bahamas. It then re curved northward and on August 22, made landfall in St. Margaret's Bay near Halifax, Nova Scotia as a non-tropical category 1. The storm was known in Nova Scotia as "the second Great August Gale" and claimed 25 lives, including the sinking of the vessels "Dorcas" and "Etta Stewart."

This hurricane was one of four active hurricanes on August 22.

Hurricane Four

Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	August 15 – August 24
Peak intensity	115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min); 952 mbar (hPa)

The New York Hurricane of 1893

The 4th storm of the season began in the Central Tropical Atlantic on August 15. The storm moved west-northwestward for the first week, strengthening while on its way. As it reached Category 3 strength, it moved more northwestward. Cooler waters weakened the storm, but it managed to make landfall directly in New York City as an 85 mph (137 km/h) hurricane. It was one of only two hurricanes to directly hit New York City throughout the 19th century, with the other being the 1821 Norfolk and Long Island hurricane. This storm was one of four active hurricanes on August 22.

Hurricane Five

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	August 15 – August 19
Peak intensity	100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min);

The 5th storm of the season formed east of Bermuda on August 15. After moving northwestward for a day, it moved northeastward and strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane. The storm crossed over Sable Island at peak intensity, before making landfall in the Burin Peninsula of Newfoundland on August 18 as a 90 mph (145 km/h) hurricane. The storm dissipated on August 19. Climate researcher Michael Chenoweth proposed the removal of this system from HURDAT, finding "No convincing evidence for a tropical system" and arguing that data instead favored an extratropical cyclone.

Hurricane Six

Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	August 15 – August 30
Peak intensity	120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min); 954 mbar (hPa)

The Sea Islands Hurricane of 1893

The 6th storm of the season formed near Cape Verde on August 15. The storm moved generally westward for the first 11 days after forming, during which it strengthened to a Category 3 major hurricane. As it approached the Bahamas, it moved more northwestward, paralleling the coast of Florida. The storm struck land near Savannah, Georgia and was responsible for 2,000 fatalities as the storm submerged the South Carolina barrier islands. The system moved northeastward, and underwent an extratropical transition on August 31. This hurricane was one of four active hurricanes on August 22.

Hurricane Seven

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	August 20 – August 29
Peak intensity	100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min);

The 7th storm of the season formed near the Cape Verde islands on August 20. It moved northwestward, reaching Category 2 hurricane strength on August 23. The hurricane maintained its strength until August 28, when cooler waters caused the storm to undergo an extratropical transition. This storm was one of four active hurricanes on August 22. This hurricane could be one of the strongest tropical cyclones to have passed the Azores in the previous 100 years. It caused significant casualties and damages at Faial and Terceira islands that were documented afterwards. At least five people died along the hurricanes' path.

Hurricane Eight

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	September 4 – September 9
Peak intensity	100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min); 973 mbar (hPa)

The 8th storm of the season formed in the western Caribbean Sea on September 4. After hitting the Yucatán Peninsula, it strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico to a 95 mph (153 km/h) hurricane. It hit the southern coast of Louisiana on September 7, and dissipated over northeastern Alabama.

Hurricane Nine

Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	September 25 – October 14
Peak intensity	120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min); 955 mbar (hPa)

The Great Charleston Hurricane of 1893
The ninth known tropical cyclone of the season formed southwest of Cape Verde on September 25. It moved westward and intensified into a hurricane on September 28, before turning northwestward on October 2. By then, the system strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane and likely peaked with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). The hurricane then moved west-northwestward for several days, beginning on October 6. After passing just north of the Abaco Islands on October 12, the storm curved northwestward and then north-northwestward, remaining closely offshore Florida and Georgia. The hurricane then turned northeastward and at around 13:00 UTC on October 13, it made landfall near McClellanville, South Carolina, winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 955 mbar (28.2 inHg). Moved rapidly northward through North Carolina and the Appalachian Mountains, the cyclone was still a Category 1 hurricane as it passed 60 mi (95 km) west of Washington, D.C. The storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over far southern Quebec on October 14 after crossing Lake Ontario and continued northeastward until dissipating over the northeastern portions of the province on the following day.

In the Bahamas, abnormally high tides inundated some streets on New Providence and nearby Hog Island, sweeping away the home of the assistant lighthouse keeper. The storm severely damaged pineapple cultivation facilities on Eleuthera and plantations on the Abaco Islands, where many other buildings were destroyed. In Florida, storm surge reached several feet above ground between Palm Beach and Jacksonville, while heavy rains fell, leading to flooding in a number of coastal communities. Storm surge and abnormally high tides in Georgetown, South Carolina, exceeded the heights of those measured in the August hurricane. An estimated 15 deaths occurred in the state, while the National Hurricane Center lists the combined toll for Florida and South Carolina at 28. Waves reached the then-record highest height in Wilmington, North Carolina, causing about $150,000 in damage to the waterfront. The state also suffered "great destruction ... to forests, crops and property, and to shipping.", according to a 2000 report by National Weather Service meteorologist James E. Hudgins. A total of 22 fatalities were reported in North Carolina.

Strong winds in Virginia partially deroofed homes and downed several trees in Richmond, while the storm destroyed barns and outhouses and toppled many electrical lines in Petersburg. The Roanoke River rose significantly at Roanoke, causing washouts along the Norfolk and Western Railway. The river also overflowed into Elliston, washing away residences. High tides destroyed the wharves at Alexandria, causing about $25,000 in damage, and capsized the Edward Ewing. Gale-force winds downed trees, limbs, and a church wall in Washington, D. C. Four vessels suffered damage or capsized. In Maryland, the electric light plant burned down in Baltimore, while winds downed fences and partly deroofed some residences in Bladensburg. Two prisoners died after the fire spread to the jail. Several Pennsylvania towns reported downed trees, unroofed dwellings, disrupted telegraph service, and delayed traffic on railroads. In New Jersey, the storm washed out several parts of the West Jersey Railroad, downed many telegraph wires, and beached several vessels. Strong winds over western New York downed many lines, unroofed a number of structures, and destroyed four cottages and a railroad depot in Buffalo, causing three deaths. The center crossed Lake Ontario, sinking 10 ships and stranding 29 others, leading to the loss of 54 lives. Another person died after being blown into the Niagara River. Winds also downed some trees and wires in New England.

Hurricane Ten

Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	September 27 – October 5
Peak intensity	130 mph (215 km/h) (1-min); 948 mbar (hPa)

The Cheniere Caminada Hurricane

Although meteorologist José Fernández Partagás noted a "lack of suitable information" prior to October 1, the official track for this system begins on September 27 to the northeast of Honduras. The storm headed northwestward and intensified into a hurricane on the next day. Thereafter, the cyclone brushed Cozumel and then made landfall in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula near Puerto Morelos as a Category 2 hurricane early on September 29. The storm continued northwestward until late on October 1, at which time a northeasterly motion commenced. While nearing the Gulf Coast of the United States, the system intensified significantly, peaking as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 948 mbar (28.0 inHg) at 06:00 UTC on October 2. Two hours later, the hurricane struck near Cheniere Caminada, Louisiana, at the same intensity and then another made landfall eight hours thereafter near Ocean Springs, Mississippi, as a strong Category 2 hurricane. The cyclone weakened to a tropical storm over Alabama early on October 3. Retaining tropical storm intensity while crossing the Southeastern United States, the storm emerged into the Atlantic from the Outer Banks of North Carolina on October 4 but likely dissipated on the following day.

Strong winds and storm surge left extensive effects in southeastern Louisiana, with towns between New Orleans and Port Eads suffering major damage, while other communities such Cheniere Caminada and Grand Isle also experienced extreme impacts. Some bays along the south coast observed storm surge reaching 15 ft (4.6 m), while the Chandeleur Islands recorded a storm surge of 16 ft (4.9 m). The Thibodaux Sentinel noted that Cheniere Caminada had been "swept out of existence.", with few homes remaining standing and 779 residents being killed. At nearby Grand Isle, none of the summer homes and hotels survived the storm due to storm surge and tides inundating the area with water 9 ft (2.7 m) above ground. Extensive crop damage also occurred along both sides of the lower Mississippi River. The hurricane destroyed at least four churches across the state and caused about $5 million in damage to property alone. Approximately 2,000 deaths occurred as a result of the storm. In coastal Mississippi, storm surge washed hundreds of feet of a railroad bridge between Biloxi and Ocean Springs into several buildings. The storm also damaged a saw mill, a ship yard, several canning facilities, many wharves, bathhouses, and some homes. Abnormally high tides and storm surge in Alabama caused damage, especially in the Mobile area, with the commerce district submerged with 4 ft (1.2 m) of water. Seven deaths occurred in the state. In Florida, The New York Times noted that "on every street, uprooted trees, broken fences and roofless buildings testify of the storm's force" in Pensacola. Storm surge caused washouts that disrupted rail service and shipping. Several other places in the Southeastern United States reported heavy rainfall.

Tropical Storm Eleven

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	October 20 – October 23
Peak intensity	60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min);

The 11th storm of the season formed just south of the Isla de la Juventud on October 20. After moving through Cuba, it strengthened to a 60 mph (97 km/h) storm before it hit the Delmarva Peninsula on October 23. Chenoweth proposed removing the cyclone from HURDAT, noting that it was "most likely an extratropical system".

Tropical Storm Twelve

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	November 5 – November 9
Peak intensity	70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min);

A low-pressure became a tropical storm on November 5, situated about 385 mi (620 km) east of Marsh Harbour in the Bahamas, though Partagás noted the possibility of the system having subtropical characteristics. The storm gradually turned west-northward and then northward. On November 8, the cyclone passed within 50 mi (80 km) of the Outer Banks of North Carolina with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) but curved northeastward and remained offshore. The system then shifted east-northeastward on November 9 and transitioned into an extratropical storm that day. The extratropical remnants dissipated near the Azores on November 12. The 2014 study by Chenoweth suggested the removal this system from HURDAT, noting "Daily weather maps indicate that this is most likely an extratropical system".

In North Carolina, the town of Kitty Hawk observed sustained winds of 58 mph (93 km/h). Offshore the Mid-Atlantic and New England, 14 coal barges encountered rough seas generated by the storm, several of which later sank. An unidentified steamship near the Delaware Breakwater also became disabled but was towed to safety by the bark Clan Ferguson.

See also

• Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project
• Tropical cyclone observation

References

1. ^ Jose Fernandez-Partagas (1996). Year 1893 (PDF). Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
2. ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2024. 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.
3. "Storm in Honduras". Evening Messenger. July 15, 1893. p. 2. Retrieved August 26, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
4. McCloskey, T. A.; Keller, G. (2009). "5000 year sedimentary record of hurricane strikes on the central coast of Belize". Quaternary International. 195 (1–2): 53–68. Bibcode:2009QuInt.195...53M. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2008.03.003.
5. ^ Mújica-Baker, Frank. Huracanes y Tormentas que han afectadi a Puerto Rico (PDF). Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Agencia Estatal para el manejo de Emergencias y Administracion de Desastres. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
6. "Hurricanes and Tropical Storms in Puerto Rico from 1500 to 1899". Retrieved December 29, 2010.
7. Bowyer, Peter. "Hurricane Juan Storm Summary". ec.gc.ca. Environment Canada. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
8. ^ Chenoweth, Michael (December 2014). "A New Compilation of North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1851–98". Journal of Climate. 27 (12). American Meteorological Society. Bibcode:2014JCli...27.8674C. doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-13-00771.1. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
9. "Los Angeles Herald 3 September 1893 — California Digital Newspaper Collection".
10. ^ Partagás, José Fernández; Diaz, Henry F. (1996). Year 1893 (PDF). Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp. 49–65. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
11. Barnes, Jay (2007). Florida's Hurricane History. University of North Carolina Press. p. 75. ISBN 978-0807858097. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
12. ^ "Wind". Monthly Weather Review. 21 (10): 288–289. October 1893. Bibcode:1893MWRv...21..288.. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1893)21[288:W]2.0.CO;2. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
13. Rappaport, Edward N.; Partagás, José Fernández; Beven, Jack (April 22, 1997). "Appendix 1. Cyclones with 25+ Deaths". The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492-1996 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
14. Hudgins, James E. (2000). Tropical cyclones affecting North Carolina since 1586: an historical perspective (Report). Blacksburg, Virginia: National Weather Service. p. 20. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
15. Roth, David; Cobb, Hugh (July 16, 2001). "Late Nineteenth Century Virginia Hurricanes". Virginia Hurricane History (Report). Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
16. "The Great Storm of 1893 and the Schooner Riverside" (PDF). Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology. 2010. pp. 219–220. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
17. ^ Roth, David (2010). Louisiana Hurricane History (PDF) (Report). Camp Springs, Maryland: National Weather Service. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
18. Hall, Christie (September 22, 2016). "Cheniere Caminada's "Great October Storm"". Country Roads Magazine. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
19. "The Damage in Biloxi". The Biloxi Herald. October 7, 1893. p. 4. Retrieved September 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• Monthly Weather Review
• HURDAT Data for the 1893 Atlantic hurricane season

• 1893 Atlantic hurricane season