1904 Atlantic hurricane season

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=Atl

|Cat=Hurricane

|Image=1904 Atlantic hurricane 1 track.png

|Formed=June 10

|Dissipated=June 14

|1-min winds=70

|Pressure=<1003

}}

The first storm of the season was observed by ships over the southwestern Caribbean on June 10, about 65 miles (105 km) east-southeast of Isla de Providencia. Moving north to north-northeast, the depression strengthened slowly, reaching tropical storm intensity by early on June 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 June 13, several hours before peaking with winds of {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} and a minimum barometric pressure of {{convert|1003|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|lk=on}},{{cite report |url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/metadata_master.html |title=Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT |first1=Christopher W. |last1=Landsea |work=Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=April 26, 2016 |location=Miami, Florida |display-authors=etal}}{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} both estimated by Ramón Pérez of the Cuban Institute of Meteorology in 2000. Shortly thereafter, the hurricane made landfall near Pilón in Granma Province, Cuba. Early on June 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 June 14.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

In Jamaica, the slow-moving storm brought over {{convert|10|in|mm}} of rainfall to the western portions of the island. Subsequent flooding inundated a number of roads and washed away several bridges, isolating some areas.{{cite report |url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/032/mwr-032-06-0273a.pdf |title=Cyclonic Depression and Flooding in Jamaica |first=Maxwell |last=Hall |date=June 15, 1904 |work=Weather Bureau |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory |page=273 |access-date=June 25, 2016 |format=PDF}} Heavy precipitation also fell in eastern Cuba, with the city of Santiago de Cuba observing about {{convert|14|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rainfall in only five hours. About 150 homes were damaged or destroyed, while many mines and roads and railways were impacted. El Cobre 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.{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/06/18/104978715.pdf |title=Storm Killed Over 100 |date=June 18, 1904 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=June 24, 2016 |location=Santiago de Cuba, Cuba}} At least 87 deaths occurred,{{cite report |title=The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492-1996 |date=April 22, 1997 |access-date=December 26, 2022 |first1=Edward N. |last1=Rappaport |first2=Jose |last2=Fernandez-Partagas |publisher=National Hurricane Center |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastdeadlyapp1.shtml?}} with some sources estimating that over 250 people were killed.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5661750/the_wilkesbarre_record/ |title=Cuba Swept by a Great Storm |date=June 17, 1904 |newspaper=Wilkes-Barre Record |page=1 |access-date=December 26, 2022 |location=Santiago de Cuba, Cuba |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}

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{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=Atl

|Cat=Hurricane

|Image=Pcpn19040912thru15northeastIsohyets.png

|Track=1904 Atlantic hurricane 2 track.png

|Formed=September 8

|Dissipated=September 15

|1-min winds=70

|Pressure=985

}}

After a three-month lull, the next tropical storm was first observed about {{convert|420|mi|km|abbr=on}} northeast of Barbados on September 8.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} The storm moved northwestward for several days and slowly strengthened. By 12:00 UTC on September 12, the system became a hurricane. Six hours later, it peaked with maximum sustained winds of {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}. The hurricane made landfall on Cedar Island, South Carolina, at the same intensity around 13:00 UTC on September 14.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} A barometric pressure of {{convert|985|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} was observed at landfall, the lowest in relation to the system.{{cite report|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/All_U.S._Hurricanes.html|title=Chronological List of All Hurricanes: 1851 – 2015|date=2016|work=Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=June 27, 2016}} About five hours later, the cyclone weakened to a tropical storm and curved sharply northeastward. Weakening and losing tropical characteristics, it transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over the Delaware Bay early on September 15. The remnants briefly restrengthened into a powerful extratropical cyclone, equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane, before dissipating over Nova Scotia later that day.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

In South Carolina, three fishing boats sank offshore Charleston, drowning several people, while another ship capsized, causing three deaths.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Charlotte News|date=September 14, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Lost In Gale|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5386702//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Two additional drownings occurred in North Carolina offshore Wrightsville Beach.{{cite news|newspaper=The Wilmington Morning Star|date=September 14, 1904|publication-date=September 15, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Two Fishermen Drowned|location=Tarboro, North Carolina|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5386966//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} A tornado spawned by the storm destroyed about 20 homes and damaged several other structures, including a few ginneries at a cost of $25,000, and downed telephone and electrical poles between Mount Olive and Faison, as well as causing a fatal injury.{{cite news|newspaper=The Wilmington Morning Star|date=September 15, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Storm Disasters|location=Wilmington, North Carolina|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5386953//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}{{cite news|newspaper=News and Observer|date=September 13, 1904|publication-date=September 15, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Carolina Beneath The Rush Of A Tempest|location=Goldsboro, North Carolina|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5386754//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Two other tornadoes in the state caused similar damage.{{cite news|newspaper=News and Observer|date=September 14, 1904|publication-date=September 15, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Clouds Met At Durham|location=Durham, North Carolina|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5386768//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}{{cite news|newspaper=News and Observer|date=September 14, 1904|publication-date=September 15, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Ruin Marks Three Miles|location=Warrenton, North Carolina|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5386768//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Some areas of the Carolinas experienced heavy rainfall, with {{convert|8.9|in|mm|abbr=on}} in Smiths Mills, South Carolina.{{cite report|title=Rainfall Associated With Hurricanes (And Other Tropical Disturbances)|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/1956NHRPreportNo3.pdf|publisher=United States Weather Bureau's National Hurricane Research Project|access-date=August 28, 2016|author=R. W. Schoner and S. Molansky|page=222}} In Maryland, strong winds caused extensive damage to trees, power lines, and crops. A death from electrocution occurred in Baltimore. Numerous vessels in the Chesapeake Bay were damaged, beached, or capsized.{{cite news|newspaper=The Salt Lake Herald|date=September 15, 1904|publication-date=September 16, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Havoc At Baltimore|location=Baltimore, Maryland|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5386500//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}

Nine deaths occurred in Delaware, eight after a tugboat sank and another after a schooner ran aground.{{cite news|newspaper=The Salt Lake Herald|date=September 15, 1904|publication-date=September 16, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Atlantic Coast Swept By Gale|location=New York|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5386474//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}{{cite news|newspaper=The Evening Journal|date=September 15, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Ashore At Breakwater|location=Lewes, Delaware|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5387032//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} In Lewes, strong winds deroofed homes and businesses, while telegraph and telephone lines and trees were downed. Heavy rainfall in Philadelphia and New York City inundated many streets and basements.{{cite news|newspaper=The Salt Lake Herald|date=September 15, 1904|publication-date=September 16, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Unprecedented Rainfall|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5386559//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}{{cite news|newspaper=The Fort Wayne Sentinel|date=September 15, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Philadelphia Deluged|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5475917//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Winds up to {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} in New York City shattered hundreds of windows and downed numerous trees and wires. One man died after being struck by a cast iron fire escape.{{cite news|newspaper=The Fort Wayne Sentinel|date=September 15, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=East Is Swept By Damaging Storm|location=New York|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5475968//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} At New York Harbor, 19 barges broke loose from their moorings and several smaller ships were washed ashore during the storm, while 15 vessels suffered damage or were grounded at Boston. Throughout southern New England, strong winds resulted in widespread damage to trees and power lines.{{cite news|newspaper=The Salt Lake Herald|date=September 15, 1904|publication-date=September 16, 1904|access-date=May 26, 2016|title=Gale At Boston|location=Boston, Massachusetts|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5386633//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Damage in the United States reached at least $2 million. In Atlantic Canada, powerful winds disrupted telephone and telegraph services.{{cite news|newspaper=The Evening Telegram|date=September 15, 1904|publication-date=September 21, 1904|title=Worst Storm In Thirty Years|page=3|location=North Sydney, Nova Scotia}} A woman was killed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, when a tree fell on her.{{cite news|newspaper=The Scranton Truth|date=September 16, 1904|publication-date=September 17, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Halifax Saved By Wind's Shift|location=Halifax, Nova Scotia|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5464860//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} The winds aided firefighters battling a large blaze in Halifax, which ultimately caused about $500,000 in damage.{{cite news|newspaper=The Salt Lake Herald|date=September 15, 1904|publication-date=September 16, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Shift Of Wind Saved The Town|location=Halifax, Nova Scotia|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5386667//|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Several incidents involving ships being sunk, run aground, or forced to return to port occurred throughout Atlantic Canada, including in New Brunswick,{{cite report|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/Hurricane/default.asp?lang=en&n=6FBA4C35-1|title=1904-2|date=November 24, 2011|publisher=Environment Canada|access-date=June 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703051355/http://www.ec.gc.ca/hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=6FBA4C35-1|archive-date=July 3, 2013|url-status=live}} Newfoundland,{{cite news|newspaper=The Inter Ocean|date=September 18, 1904|publication-date=September 17, 1904|access-date=June 27, 2016|title=Hurricane Damages Boats|location=St. John's, Newfoundland|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5485185//|page=3|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} and Nova Scotia.

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{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=Atl

|Cat=Hurricane

|Image=1904 Atlantic hurricane 3 track.png

|Formed=September 28

|Dissipated=October 4

|1-min winds=70

|Pressure=

}}

Based on observations and continuity, it is estimated that a tropical depression developed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea about {{convert|120|mi|km|abbr=on|round=5}} east-southeast of Isla de Providencia at 00:00 UTC on September 28. Moving slowly northwestward, the depression intensified into a tropical storm about 24 hours later.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Early on October 1, based on observations from the steamship Ellis, the cyclone strengthened into a hurricane. Shortly thereafter, the storm began curving west-northward and peaked with maximum sustained winds of {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}. However, it soon began to weakened and fell to tropical storm early on October 2. Around 06:00 UTC on the following day, the system made landfall near the Belize–Mexico border with winds of {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Observations from Mexico suggest that the cyclone weakened to a tropical depression around 00:00 UTC on October 4 and dissipated over Chiapas about 18 hours later.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

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{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=Atl

|Cat=Hurricane

|Image=1904 Atlantic hurricane 4 track.png

|Formed=October 12

|Dissipated=October 21

|1-min winds=70

|Pressure=989

}}

The next storm was first observed by ships early on October 12, while located about {{convert|185|mi|km|abbr=on|round=5}} south-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} After initially moving westward, the storm gradually curved northward over the next few days. It strengthened slowly, becoming a hurricane around 12:00 UTC on October 15.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Early on the following day, the cyclone made landfall in Cuba near Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus, with winds of {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}. The system weakened to a tropical storm while crossing the island, before emerging into the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Florida late on October 16. However, early on October 17, the storm re-intensified into a hurricane.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} At 05:00 UTC, the hurricane attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} and a minimum barometric pressure of {{convert|989|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}, which was observed by a weather station in Miami.

Around 08:00 UTC on October 17, the cyclone struck Key Largo, Florida, while still at peak intensity. It weakened to a tropical storm four hours later. The storm then drifted slowly northwestward across South Florida and began executing a cyclonic loop. Late on October 18, the system emerged into the Gulf of Mexico near Boca Grande as a minimal tropical storm. The storm moved southwestward, southeastward, and then east-northeastward. It failed to re-intensify over the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in mainland Monroe County at 10:00 UTC on October 20 with winds of {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}. Around 18:00 UTC, the cyclone emerged into the Atlantic near Miami Beach and weakened to a tropical depression. Continuing east-northeastward, the storm crossed the northern Bahamas, striking Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands. By 18:00 UTC, the cyclone dissipated about {{convert|90|mi|km|abbr=on}} northeast of the Abaco Islands.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

In Cuba, the storm dropped heavy rainfall, leaving "significant damage" due to flooding. Much of the impact in Florida was concentrated in the Miami area. Several homes were unroofed in the northern sections of the city and in "Colored Town", an African American neighborhood today known as Overtown. A few local hotels were structurally impacted, while many businesses were damaged. Winds also defoliated shrubbery and downed trees and signs. Trees and electrical poles were downed as far north as Fort Lauderdale, leaving some power outages.{{cite news|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00076100/00549/2x|title=The Lower East Coast Swept by Heavy Storm|date=October 21, 1904|newspaper=The Miami Metropolis|page=2|access-date=June 28, 2016}} Some citrus and pineapple crops were damaged throughout South Florida, while low-lying vegetables were ruined considerably due to flooding.{{cite report|title=Climate and Crop Service|author=James Berry|journal=Monthly Weather Review|date=October 1904|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/032/mwr-032-10-0447.pdf|page=447|access-date=June 28, 2016}} Offshore Florida, three sailing vessels were wrecked in the storm – the British Melrose, the German Zion, and the American James Judge. The crews of Zion and James Judge reached shore safely, but the Melrose sank offshore in heavy seas with the loss of seven crewmen. The survivors were left clinging to wreckage for nearly four days before being rescued.

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{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=Atl

|Cat=Hurricane

|Image=1904 Atlantic tropical storm 5 track.png

|Formed=October 19

|Dissipated=October 23

|1-min winds=45

|Pressure=1005

}}

Data from ships on October 19 indicated the presence of a tropical storm about 1,195 mi (1,925 km) northeast of Barbuda.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}{{cite report|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Landsea/Partagas/1901-1904/1904.pdf|title=Year 1904|author=Jose F. Partagas|date=1997|work=Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=June 7, 2016|location=Miami, Florida|format=PDF}} After initially moving southwestward, the storm briefly curved west-northwestward on October 20, shortly before turning northward. Around 12:00 UTC on October 21, the cyclone obtained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} and a minimum barometric pressure of {{convert|1005|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}, the latter of which was observed by a ship.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} The system then curved northwestward and began accelerating. By 00:00 UTC, the storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while located about {{convert|365|mi|km|abbr=on|round=5}} south-southeast of Sable Island. The extratropical remnants continued rapidly north-northeastward until dissipating south of Greenland on October 23.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}}

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{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=Atl

|Cat=Hurricane

|Image=1904 Atlantic tropical storm 6 track.png

|Formed=October 31

|Dissipated=November 4

|1-min winds=45

|Pressure=<1005

}}

The final storm of the season was detected over the Bay of Campeche based on observations from Mérida, Yucatán, on October 31. The station recorded a barometric pressure of {{convert|1005|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}, the lowest known in relation to the system while it was a tropical cyclone. Initially moving northwestward, the storm curved northeastward early on November 1. It intensified slightly throughout the day, peaking with maximum sustained winds of {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} around 00:00 UTC the next day. Thereafter, the cyclone began weakening while approaching the Florida Panhandle. Around 12:00 UTC on November 3, the storm made landfall near Fort Walton Beach, Florida, with winds of {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}. It tracked across the Florida Panhandle, southern Georgia, and coastal South Carolina before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone just offshore South Carolina. The extratropical remnants continued rapidly northeast until dissipated near Newfoundland late on November 6.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} Winds up to {{convert|36|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} were observed in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Pensacola, Florida. The storm produced light to moderate rainfall across the Southeastern United States.

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This is a table of all of the storms that have formed in the 1904 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their duration, names, landfall(s)–denoted by bold location names – damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1904 USD.

{{Saffir-Simpson small|align=center}}

{{TC stats table start3|year=1904|basin=North Atlantic tropical cyclone|align=center}}

{{TC stats cyclone3|cat=cat1|name=One|dates=June 10–14|max-winds=80 (130)|min-press=1003|areas=Jamaica, Cuba, Bahamas|damage=Unknown|deaths=87-250}}

{{TC stats cyclone3|cat=cat1|name=Two|dates=September 8–15|max-winds=80 (130)|min-press=985|areas=East Coast of the United States (South Carolina), Atlantic Canada|damage=2.4 million|deaths=18}}

{{TC stats cyclone3|cat=cat1|name=Three|dates=September 28–October 4|max-winds=80 (130)|min-press=Unknown|areas=Central America, Mexico|damage=Unknown|deaths=None}}

{{TC stats cyclone3|cat=cat1|name=Four|dates=October 12–21|max-winds=80 (130)|min-press=989|areas=Jamaica, Cuba, Florida, Bahamas|damage=Unknown|deaths=7}}

{{TC stats cyclone3|cat=storm|name=Five|dates=October 19–23|max-winds=50 (85)|min-press=1005|areas=None|damage=None|deaths=None}}

{{TC stats cyclone3|cat=storm|name=Six|dates=October 31–November 4|max-winds=50 (85)|min-press=1005|areas=Southeastern United States (Florida)|damage=Minor|deaths=None}}

{{TC stats table end3|num-cyclones=6|dates=June 10 – November 4 |max-winds=80 (130)|min-press=985|tot-areas=|tot-damage=2.5 million|tot-deaths=112-275}}

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}

• 1900–1940 South Pacific cyclone seasons
• 1900–1950 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons
• 1900s Australian region cyclone seasons

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1904.pdf Monthly Weather Review]

{{TC Decades|Year=1900|basin=Atlantic|type=hurricane}}

{{Tropical cyclone season|1904}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1904 Atlantic Hurricane Season}}

Category:1904 meteorology

Category:1904 natural disasters