Christmas Hurricane of 1902 facts for kids
1903 collage in the Idun magazine from the storm
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| Type | hurricane |
|---|---|
| Formed | 24 December 1902 |
| Duration | 26 December 1902 |
| Areas affected | Denmark Sweden |
The Christmas Hurricane of 1902 (also known as Danish: Julestormen 1902 in Danish and Swedish: Julorkanen 1902 in Swedish) was a very powerful storm. It hit the countries of Denmark and Sweden on Christmas Day in 1902. This storm caused a lot of damage and had a big impact, especially for people living along the coast.
What Happened During the Storm?
The Christmas Hurricane of 1902 was a strong hurricane that brought very high winds and rough seas. It was unusual for such a powerful storm to hit during the winter holidays. The storm formed on December 24, 1902, and was most active on December 26.
Impact in Sweden
In Sweden, the storm mainly affected the southern parts of the country. It hit areas like Scania, parts of southern Kronoberg County, and the entire west coast. The strong winds and waves caused a lot of destruction.
Damage and Losses
Sadly, the storm led to many tragic losses. About 50 fishermen were lost at sea during the hurricane. On land, very few people were harmed, which was fortunate. However, the storm caused a huge amount of property damage. The cost of the damage was measured in millions of Swedish crowns at the time.
Many buildings and structures were destroyed or badly damaged. Some of the well-known places that suffered included:
- The Varberg Open Air Bath
- The Mölle Open Air Baths
- The Ribergsborgs Open Air Bath in Malmö
- The Sibbarp Open Air Bath in Malmö
Even the spire, which is the tall, pointed top of the Örgryte Church tower, fell off because of the strong winds. This shows just how powerful the Christmas Hurricane of 1902 was.
