1851 Atlantic hurricane season
| 1851 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
|
|
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | June 25, 1851 |
| Last system dissipated | October 19, 1851 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Four |
| • Maximum winds | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 961 mbar (hPa; 28.38 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total storms | 6 |
| Hurricanes | 3 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) |
1 |
| Total fatalities | 23 direct, 1 indirect |
| Total damage | $60,000 (1851 USD) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | June 25 – June 28 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min) 977 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | July 5 – July 6 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | July 10 – July 10 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) |
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | August 16 – August 27 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min) 960 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | September 13 – September 16 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | October 16 – October 19 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min) |
The 1851 Atlantic hurricane season was the first Atlantic hurricane season to be included in the official Atlantic tropical cyclone record. Six known tropical cyclones occurred during the season, the earliest of which formed on June 25 and the latest of which dissipated on October 19. These dates fall within the range of most Atlantic tropical cyclone activity. None of the cyclones existed simultaneously with another. Of the six storms, two only have a single point in their track known.
Two other hurricanes were reported during the season, one near Tampico and the other near Jamaica; however, they are not in the official hurricane database. There may have been other unconfirmed tropical cyclones during the season. Meteorologist Christopher Landsea estimates that between zero and six storms were missed from the official database, due to small tropical cyclone size, sparse ship reports, and relatively unpopulated coastlines.
Five of the six tropical cyclones affected land, including three making landfall with winds of over 74 mph (119 km/h). The first struck Texas as a hurricane, which caused moderate to heavy damage, particularly to shipping in Matagorda Bay. One death was indirectly related to the hurricane, as well as at least two injuries.
The strongest and deadliest hurricane of the season tracked from east of the Lesser Antilles, through the Greater Antilles, and across the southeastern United States before last being observed near Newfoundland; it was tied for having the longest duration for a hurricane prior to 1870. When it hit near Panama City, Florida with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h), it caused at least 23 deaths, including five when a lighthouse was destroyed. Many houses were destroyed along its path, primarily along the Florida Panhandle.
The other landfalling hurricane was one that struck near Tampico, where it caused heavy damage. The last tropical storm of the season made landfall on Rhode Island, though associated damage is unknown. A tropical storm affected the Lesser Antilles in early July, and another tropical storm remained nearly stationary for three days to the southeast of North Carolina.
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Wikipedia