Great hurricane of 1780 facts for kids
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Areas affected by the hurricane (but not showing Bermuda)
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| Formed | October 9, 1780 |
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| Dissipated | October 20, 1780 |
| Highest winds | Gusts: 200 mph (320 km/h) |
| Fatalities | 22,000+ direct |
| Areas affected | Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Bermuda, possibly Florida and other US states |
| Part of the 1780 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The Great Hurricane of 1780 was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. It caused the deaths of over 27,500 people as it swept through the Caribbean. Not much is known about this powerful storm because it happened before people started keeping official records of hurricanes.
Contents
What Made This Hurricane So Deadly?
The Great Hurricane of 1780 was an incredibly strong and deadly storm. It holds the sad record for being the hurricane that killed the most people in the Atlantic Ocean. This hurricane was much deadlier than any other Atlantic hurricane, even more so than Hurricane Mitch, which was the second deadliest.
The storm hit Barbados with winds that might have been stronger than 200 miles per hour (320 km/h). Such strong winds can destroy almost anything in their path.
The Path of Destruction
After hitting Barbados, the hurricane moved across several other islands. It passed by Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Saint Eustatius. Thousands of people died on each of these islands.
The hurricane then moved near Puerto Rico. It also tracked over the eastern part of the Dominican Republic. Finally, the storm turned towards the northeast. It was last seen on October 20, southeast of Newfoundland.
Impact on the American Revolution
The Great Hurricane happened in the middle of the American Revolution. This was a war where the American colonies fought for independence from Britain. Both the British and French navies had many ships in the Caribbean.
The storm caused huge losses to both the British and French fleets. Many warships were sunk or badly damaged. This affected the war efforts of both sides in the Caribbean.
A Busy Hurricane Season
The 1780 Atlantic hurricane season was very active and dangerous. The Great Hurricane was just one of three deadly storms that happened in the same month. This shows how powerful and destructive nature can be.
