1899 San Ciriaco hurricane facts for kids
| Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
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Surface Weather Analysis of Hurricane San Ciriaco on August 13, 1899.
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| Formed | August 3, 1899 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | September 12, 1899 |
| (Extratropical after September 4, 1899) | |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 150 mph (240 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 930 mbar (hPa); 27.46 inHg |
| Fatalities | 3433 direct |
| Damage | $20 million (1899 USD) |
| Areas affected | Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Turks and Caicos Islands, Cuba, Bahamas, East Coast of the United States (Landfall in North Carolina), Atlantic Canada, Azores |
| Part of the 1899 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The 1899 San Ciriaco hurricane was a very powerful and long-lasting storm. It was the longest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. It was also the second longest hurricane recorded anywhere in the world.
This huge storm had winds of 150 miles per hour (240 km/h). It caused a lot of damage in the Caribbean and in North Carolina, a state in the United States. Sadly, more than 3,400 people lost their lives because of this hurricane. The hurricane happened in August 1899.
Contents
What Was the San Ciriaco Hurricane?
The San Ciriaco hurricane was a major hurricane that formed in the Atlantic Ocean. It began on August 3, 1899, and lasted for a very long time, finally ending on September 12, 1899. This made it one of the longest-lasting storms in history.
At its strongest, the hurricane had winds of about 150 miles per hour. This is like a very fast train! It was a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Where Did the Hurricane Go?
The hurricane traveled across a huge area, affecting many places. It started near the Cape Verde islands off the coast of Africa.
Impact on Puerto Rico
The storm first hit the Leeward Islands and then moved towards Puerto Rico. On August 8, 1899, it struck Puerto Rico directly. The island suffered terrible damage. Strong winds and heavy rain destroyed homes, crops, and roads. Many people lost their lives there.
Journey Through the Caribbean
After Puerto Rico, the hurricane continued its path through the Caribbean Sea. It affected places like Hispaniola (where Dominican Republic and Haiti are), the Turks and Caicos Islands, Cuba, and the Bahamas. Each place experienced strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Hitting the United States
The hurricane then turned north and headed towards the East Coast of the United States. It made landfall in North Carolina on August 17. Even though it was weaker by then, it still caused a lot of damage along the coast.
Final Stages
After leaving the United States, the storm moved into the Atlantic Ocean again. It traveled all the way to the Azores, a group of islands belonging to Portugal. It finally broke apart in September 1899.
How Much Damage Did It Cause?
The San Ciriaco hurricane caused about $20 million in damages at the time. This would be much more money today. The biggest impact was the loss of life. Over 3,400 people died directly from the storm.
Many homes were destroyed, and farms were ruined. This made it very hard for people to recover, especially in places like Puerto Rico.
Images for kids
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The storm's path across Puerto Rico
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The hurricane approaching North Carolina on August 17
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Damage in Puerto Rico after Hurricane San Ciriaco.
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Winslow Homer painting of a man lying on a beach next to his destroyed boat in the Bahamas
See also
In Spanish: Huracán de San Ciriaco de 1899 para niños
