The first Hurricane recorded in the History of Puerto Rico was:
The Great Hurricane of 1780, also known as Huracán San Calixto, the Great Hurricane of the Antilles, and the 1780 Disaster, is the deadliest Atlantic Hurricane on record. Between 20,000 and 22,000 people died when the storm passed through the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean 10–16 October. Specifics on the hurricane's track and strength are unknown since the official Atlantic hurricane database only goes back to 1851.
The hurricane struck Barbados with winds possibly exceeding 320 km/h (200 mph), before moving past Martinique, St. Lucia, and St. Eustatius; thousands of deaths were reported on the islands. Coming in the midst of the American Revolution, the storm caused heavy losses to British and French fleets contesting for control of the area. The hurricane later passed near Puerto Rico and over the eastern portion of Hispaniola. There, it caused heavy damage near the coastlines. It ultimately turned to the northeast before being last observed on 20 October southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland.
The death toll from the Great Hurricane alone exceeds that of many entire decades of Atlantic hurricanes. Estimates are marginally higher than for Hurricane Mitch, the second-deadliest Atlantic storm, for which figures are likely more accurate. The hurricane was part of the disastrous 1780 Atlantic hurricane season, with two other deadly storms occurring in October.
Heavy damage was reported in southern Puerto Rico, primarily in Cabo Rojo and Lajas. Severe damage also occurred in the eastern region of Santo Domingo. The hurricane later grounded 50 ships near Bermuda. Throughout its path, the hurricane killed over 20,000 people, possibly as high as 24,000, making it the deadliest hurricane in Atlantic hurricane history.
Throughout its path, the hurricane killed about 23,200 people. The Great Hurricane ranks as the deadliest hurricane in Atlantic hurricane history.
Another Hurricane, remember by our puertorrican Grandparents and Greatgrandparents were:
San Felipe Hurricane was the second tropical cyclone of the
1876 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm was first observed east of the
Leeward Islands on September 12, later intensifying to a category 3 hurricane
while approaching Puerto Rico. In the upcoming days, the storm would making
landfall on Hispanola and Cuba, while also at hurricane intensity. Weakening to
a tropical storm, it crossed the island until emerging over central Cuba, and
passing just east of Florida. The storm re-intensified into a hurricane and
struck near Wilmington, North Carolina as a minimal hurricane. Continuing
inland, the San Felipe Hurricane gradually weakened over the United States,
reaching near Cape Cod before dissipation on September 19. The San Felipe
Hurricane was the only tropical cyclone in the season to result in fatalities,
according to records of the season.
A hurricane was first observed east of the Leeward Islands
on September 12, hitting the islands that night. It first passed through
Antigua, St. Kitts, and the Virgin Islands. It strengthened on the next day to
become a Category 3 hurricane, and hit Puerto Rico at that intensity on
September 13; it entered by Yabucoa and Humacao at about seven in the morning
and left the island through Mayagüez at 1:30 local time in the afternoon.
The minimum pressure that was measured in San Juan was about
29.20 inches of mercury (989 hPa) in the morning, with winds up to about 60 mph
and rain at around 4.71 inches (120 mm). The hurricane maintained this
intensity and made landfall on the eastern side of Puerto Rico. Shortly after
landfall, the hurricane rapidly weakened to a Category 2 hurricane, then to a
Category 1 hurricane after reemerging in the Atlantic. Again maintaining
strength, the hurricane made landfall on the eastern tip of Dominican Republic
with winds of 80 mph.
It is remembered in the hurricane history of the Antilles
because the famous scientist and scholar Father Benito Viñes went to Puerto
Rico from Cuba to conduct a study to calculate the damages of the hurricane. It
was the first hurricane in which a rain gauge was used.[clarification
needed][2] San Felipe affected Puerto Rico for ten hours, killing nineteen
people.[3] Although there were 19 deaths reported, historians suspected the
Spanish Government withheld the actual damage and death toll data for Puerto
Rico. At least two drowning's occurred in Onslow County, North Carolina.
Flooding, damage to buildings, and uprooted trees were reported from
Wilmington. A bridge across Market Street there was washed away.
The storm
was remembered as the "San Felipe Hurricane" because it struck on
September 13, the feast day of Saint Philip. Exactly 52 years later, Puerto
Rico was struck by Hurricane San Felipe Segundo.
Another Hurricane, whom my father remember, not because he's eternal, because my grandfather and grandmother told tales were:
1899 San Ciriaco hurricane, also known as the 1899 Puerto
Rico Hurricane, was the longest-lived Atlantic hurricane on record. The third
tropical cyclone and first major hurricane of the season, this storm was first
observed southwest of Cape Verde on August 3. It slowly strengthened while
heading steadily west-northwestward across the Atlantic Ocean and reached
hurricane status by late on August 5. During the following 48 hours, it
deepened further, reaching Category 4 on the modern day Saffir–Simpson
hurricane wind scale (SSHWS) before crossing the Leeward Islands on August 7.
Later that day, the storm peaked winds of 150 mph (240 km/h). The storm
weakened slightly before making landfall in Guayama, Puerto Rico with winds of
140 mph (220 km/h) on August 8. Several hours later, it emerged into the southwestern
Atlantic as a Category 3 hurricane. The system paralleled the north coast of
Dominican Republic and then crossed the Bahamas, striking several islands.
Thereafter, it began heading northward on August 14, while centered east of
Florida. Early on the following day, the storm re-curved northeastward and
appeared to be heading out to sea. However, by August 17, it turned back to the
northwest and made landfall near Hatteras, North Carolina early on the
following day. San Ciriaco remains the strongest hurricane to make landfall on
the Outer Banks since 1899.
In Guadeloupe, the storm unroofed and flooded many houses.
Communications were significantly disrupted in the interior portions of the
island. Impact was severe in Montserrat, with nearly every building destroyed
and 100 deaths reported. About 200 small houses were destroyed on Saint Kitts,
with estates suffering considerable damage, while nearly all estates were destroyed
on Saint Croix. Eleven deaths were reported on the island.
In Puerto Rico, the
system brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, which caused extensive
flooding. Approximately 250,000 people were left without food and shelter.
Additionally, telephone, telegraph, and electrical services were completely
lost. Overall, damage totaled approximately $20 million, with over half were
losses inflicted on crops, particularly coffee. At the time, it was the
costliest and worst tropical cyclone in Puerto Rico. It was estimated that the
storm caused 3,369 fatalities. In the Bahamas, strong winds and waves sank 50
small crafts, most of them at Andros. Severe damage was reported in Nassau,
with over 100 buildings destroyed and many damaged, including the Government
House. A few houses were also destroyed in Bimini. The death toll in the
Bahamas was at least 125. In North Carolina, storm surge and rough sea
destroyed fishing piers and bridges, as well as sank about 10 vessels. Because
Hatteras Island was almost entirely inundated with 4 to 10 feet (1.2 to 3.0 m)
of water, many homes were damaged, with much destruction at Diamond City. There
were at least 20 deaths in the state of North Carolina. In the Azores, the
storm also caused one fatality and significant damage on some islands.
The San Ciriaco hurricane was described as the first major
storm in Puerto Rico since the 1876 San Felipe hurricane. Approximately 250,000
people were left without food and shelter. Overall, damage totaled
approximately $20 million, with over half were losses inflicted on crops,
particularly coffee. At the time, it was the costliest and worst tropical
cyclone in Puerto Rico. The number of fatalities ranged from 3,100 to 3,400,
with the official estimate being 3,369. The San Ciriaco hurricane remains the
deadliest tropical cyclone in the history of Puerto Rico.
Strong winds were reported throughout the island, reaching
85 mph (137 km/h) at many locations and over 100 mph (160 km/h) in Humacao,
Mayagüez, and Ponce. Within the municipality of Ponce, 500 people died, mostly from
drowning. Streets were flooded, waterfront businesses were destroyed, and
several government buildings were damaged. Telephone, telegraph, and electrical
services were completely lost. Ponce was described as an image of
"horrible desolation" by its municipal council. Impact was worst in
Utuado, with damage exceeding $2.5 million. In Humacao, 23 inches (580 mm) of
rain fell in only 24 hours.
Hurricane San Ciriaco set many records on its path. Killing nearly 3,500 people in Puerto Rico, it was the deadliest hurricane to hit the island and the strongest at the time, until 30 years later when the island was hit by the Hurricane San Felipe Segundo, a Category 5 hurricane, in 1928. It was also the tenth deadliest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded.Also, with an Accumulated cyclone energy of 73.57, it has the highest ACE of any Atlantic hurricane in history. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan became the second Atlantic hurricane to surpass an ACE value of 70, but did not surpass the San Ciriaco hurricane.
San Ciriaco is also the longest lasting Atlantic hurricane in recorded history, lasting for 28 days (31 including subtropical time).
Hurricane San Ciriaco set many records on its path. Killing nearly 3,500 people in Puerto Rico, it was the deadliest hurricane to hit the island and the strongest at the time, until 30 years later when the island was hit by the Hurricane San Felipe Segundo, a Category 5 hurricane, in 1928. It was also the tenth deadliest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded.
Also, with an Accumulated cyclone energy of 73.57, it has
the highest ACE of any Atlantic hurricane in history. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan
became the second Atlantic hurricane to surpass an ACE value of 70, but did not
surpass the San Ciriaco hurricane.
San Ciriaco is also the longest lasting Atlantic hurricane
in recorded history, lasting for 28 days (31 including subtropical time).
1932 San Ciprian Hurricane was a powerful Atlantic tropical
cyclone that struck Puerto Rico during the 1932 Atlantic hurricane season. The
ninth tropical cyclone, fourth hurricane and third major hurricane of the 1932
season,[1] the San Ciprian Hurricane formed on September 25 east of the Leeward
Islands and moved due west where it quickly gained hurricane strength a day
later. After peaking as a Category 4 storm, the hurricane crossed the entire
length of Puerto Rico at Category 4 strength. The hurricane later struck the
Dominican Republic as a Category 1 storm. Weakened by its three landfalls, the
storm continued to trek westward as a weak tropical storm before making its
fourth and fifth landfalls in Belize and mainland Mexico. The storm then
dissipated on October 3.
In Puerto Rico, the hurricane produced heavy rainfall and
two ships reported barometric pressures of 938 to 948 mbar (27.70 to 27.99
inHg). A weather station reported winds of 66 mph (106 km/h) and increasing
velocities before the station was blown down by the storm.[3] As the hurricane
passed Puerto Rico, a weather station in San Juan reported a barometric
pressure reading of 980 mbar (28.93 inHg) during the height of the storm.
Offshore, the rough seas brought by the hurricane caused
heavy damage to shipping as the storm surge caused two boats to run aground
near Ceiba. In San Juan, two more boats sustained severe damage. The storm
surge and high winds also damaged or destroyed several warehouses.[3] Elsewhere
in Puerto Rico, the damage was even more severe as the hurricane's high winds
destroyed many homes in outlying villages killing 109 people. The highest death
toll came from the town of Rio Piedras which was directly in the path of the
hurricane and many of the homes were in poor condition to withstand the
hurricane's winds.[13] Damage to roads, power lines, and roads[6] disrupted
communications and access to the interior portion of Puerto Rico.[14] Heavy
rainfall from the hurricane caused significant flooding that left many homes
and buildings under 1.5 feet (0.4 meter) of water.
Agricultural damage from the hurricane was severe as the
storm damaged or destroyed much of the citrus, sugar, coffee, tobacco, and
honey harvests. Overall crop damage totaled up to $20 million (1932 USD). In
addition, over 400,000 livestock perished in the storm leaving $470,837 dollars
(1932 USD) in lost value. Overall, the hurricane killed 257 people, 4,280 more
injured and 70-500 thousand homeless. Total storm damage amounted to $30
million (1932 USD, $443 million 2006 USD) WKAQ, Puerto Rico's radio station began broadcasting radio addresses by Governor Beverley encouraging residents to continue the hurricane cleanup and relief effort. In the overall relief effort, $164,000 dollars (1932 USD) in hurricane relief aid was spent.
Hurricane David was a Cape Verde-type hurricane that reached
Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. The fourth named
tropical cyclone, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 1979
Atlantic hurricane season, traversed through the Leeward Islands, Greater
Antilles, and East Coast of the United States during late August and early
September. David was the first hurricane to affect the Lesser Antilles since
Hurricane Inez in 1966. With winds of 175 mph (280 km/h), David remains the
only storm of Category 5 intensity to make landfall on the Dominican Republic
in the 20th century and the deadliest since the 1930 Dominican Republic
Hurricane killing over 2,000 people in its path. Also, the hurricane was the
strongest to hit Dominica in the 20th century, and was the deadliest Dominican
tropical cyclone since a hurricane killed over 200 in September of the 1834
season.
David was the second male name for an Atlantic tropical
storm since 1952, first to reach Category 5 intensity and the first to be retired.
Hurricane David was originally going to hit the south coast
of Puerto Rico, but a change in course in the middle of the night spared it the
damage that the Dominican Republic suffered.
Though it did not hit Puerto Rico, Hurricane David passed
less than 100 miles (160 km) south of the island, bringing strong winds and
heavy rainfall to the island. Portions of southwestern Puerto Rico experienced
sustained winds of up to 85 mph (135 km/h), while the rest of the island
received tropical storm-force winds. While passing by the island, the hurricane
caused strong seas[9] and torrential rainfall, amounting to 19.9 inches (505
mm) in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico and up to 20 inches (510 mm) in the central
mountainous region.
Despite remaining offshore, most of the island felt David's
effects. Agricultural damage was severe, and combined with property damage, the
hurricane was responsible for $70 million in losses ($200 million in 2005
USD.) Following the storm, the FEMA declared the island a disaster area.
In all, Hurricane David killed seven people in Puerto Rico, four of which resulted
from electrocutions.
Hurricane Hugo was a powerful Cape Verde-type hurricane that
caused widespread damage and loss of life in the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico,
and the Southeast United States. It formed over the eastern Atlantic near the
Cape Verde Islands on September 9, 1989. Hugo moved thousands of miles across
the Atlantic, rapidly strengthening to briefly attain category 5 hurricane
strength on its journey. It later crossed over Guadeloupe and St. Croix on September
17 and 18 as a category 4 hurricane. Weakening slightly more, it passed over
Puerto Rico as a strong category 3 hurricane. Further weakening occurred
several hours after re-emerging into the Atlantic, becoming downgraded to a
category 2 hurricane. However, it re-strengthened into a category 4 hurricane
before making landfall at McClellanville, a small shrimping town up the coast
from Charleston, South Carolina on September 21. It had devolved to a remnant
low near Lake Erie by the next day.
Hurricane Hugo caused 34 fatalities (most by electrocution
or drowning) in the Caribbean and 27 in South Carolina, left nearly 100,000
homeless, and resulted in $10 billion (1989 USD) in damage overall, making it
the most damaging hurricane ever recorded at the time. Of this total, $7
billion was from the United States and Puerto Rico, ranking it as the costliest
storm to impact the country at the time. Since 1989, however, it has been
surpassed by multiple storms and now ranks as the eleventh costliest in the
United States.
Damage in Puerto Rico was severe, especially in the eastern
part of the island. The agricultural sector was devastated, with the banana and
coffee crops being almost completely wiped out. Heavy rains caused severe
flooding in the vicinity of San Juan; in addition, several roads and bridges
were washed away.
In all, 12 deaths in Puerto Rico are attributed to Hugo,
six of which occurred in the southern city of Guayama where some residents were
electrocuted by downed power lines. Nearly 28,000 people were left homeless by
the storm as damages exceeded $1 billion.
Hurricane Georges began as a tropical wave that moved off
the coast of Africa during mid-September 1998. Tracking westward, the wave
spawned an area of low pressure two days later, which quickly strengthened into
a tropical depression. On September 16, the depression was upgraded to Tropical
Storm Georges, and to Hurricane Georges the next day. The storm reached its
peak intensity on September 20 with winds of 155 mph (250 km/h), just below
Category 5 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.
Over the following five days, the hurricane tracked through
the Greater Antilles, causing over 600 fatalities, mainly in the Dominican
Republic and Haiti. By September 25, Georges entered the Gulf of Mexico as a
Category 2 hurricane. The storm made landfall three days later near Biloxi,
Mississippi with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h). Upon landfall, the hurricane's
forward motion slowed to an eastward drift. Georges dissipated on October 1
near the Atlantic coast of Florida.
Upon making landfall in Puerto Rico, Hurricane Georges
brought 10 and 20 foot storm surges in succession. Rainfall totaled out to
30.51 inches (775 mm) in Jayuya with rains of up to 25 inches (640 mm) spread around
the rest of the island. As the
mountains' flooding drained off into every river in Puerto Rico and causing
them to overflow. Three tornadoes were reported to possibly have occurred on
Puerto Rico. One was detected just north of Punta Este in Vieques. A second
one was recorded in the Orocovis and Barranquitas general area at about 100
UTC. Doppler radar recorded a third tornado in the Jayuya area. No fatalities
were reported on the island. Damages to the utility system was catastrophic.
96% of the electrical system was lost for 1.3 million people. Water and sewer
service was lost to 75% of the island's population. Road damage totaled out to
$21.995 million. Only 8.4% of the population lost telephone service.
The agricultural sector of Puerto Rico lost over 50% of its
crops and 65% of its poultry.[1] Equipment, agriculture and manufacturing
losses amounted to $212.9 million a day. Damages to houses were catastrophic,
with 28,005 houses completely destroyed; an additional 72,000 were partially
destroyed. On the nearby island of Culebra, 74 houses were completely destroyed
with 89 suffering partial damage.
Schools received an estimated $20–25 million in damage. The total damage to the
Puerto Rican economy was estimated at $1.907 billion.
Georges indirectly caused several deaths in Puerto Rico. A
28-year old woman died from carbon monoxide poisoning after operating a
gasoline-powered generator inside her home. Two others were hospitalized for
the same issue. A Bayamon man was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning
after fumes entered his store. A mother and her three children were killed as a
lit candle set their house on fire. The other two cases were due to head trauma
and electrocution. Total damages from the storm amounted to roughly $2 billion.
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