1870 Atlantic hurricane season
| 1870 Atlantic hurricane season |
Season summary map
|
| Seasonal boundaries |
| First system formed |
July 30, 1870 |
| Last system dissipated |
November 3, 1870 |
| Strongest storm |
|
| Name |
Four |
| • Maximum winds |
125 mph (205 km/h) |
| • Lowest pressure |
948 mbar (hPa; 27.99 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics |
| Total storms |
11 |
| Hurricanes |
10 |
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+) |
2 |
| Total fatalities |
Unknown |
| Total damage |
Unknown |
|
|
Atlantic hurricane seasons
1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872
|
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
July 30 – July 30 |
| Peak intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) 985 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 30 – September 4 |
| Peak intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 1 – September 4 |
| Peak intensity |
70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min) 1004 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 9 – September 12 |
| Peak intensity |
125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min) 948 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 17 – September 19 |
| Peak intensity |
90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min) 969 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
October 5 – October 14 |
| Peak intensity |
115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min) 959 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
October 7 – October 7 |
| Peak intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
October 10 – October 11 |
| Peak intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
October 19 – October 22 |
| Peak intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min) 970 mbar (hPa) |
The 1870 Atlantic hurricane season lasted from mid-summer to late-fall and comprised one tropical storm and ten hurricanes, two of which became major hurricanes, (Category 3+). However, in the absence of modern satellite and other remote-sensing technologies, only storms that affected populated land areas or encountered ships at sea were recorded, so the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 and zero to four per year between 1886 and 1910 has been estimated.
The Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT) recognizes eleven tropical cyclones for the 1870 season. Ten storms attained hurricane status, with winds of 75 mph (119 km/h) or greater.Of the eleven Atlantic cyclones known for 1870 only three made landfall. Although Hurricane One caused damage in Alabama, the storm centre may not have crossed the coastline. Hurricane Nine made landfalls in both Cuba and Florida.Hurricane Two and Tropical Storm Three were both active in the first week of September but neither made landfall,although Hurricane Two did come close to the Newfoundland coastline.Later that month two more hurricanes were seen in the western Atlantic.Hurricane Four was an intense category three cyclone while Hurricane Five was a weaker category one storm.More notable was Hurricane Six.This hurricane, known as the Hurricane of San Marcos or the Straits of Florida Hurricane, caused massive flooding in Cuba and south Florida, resulting in 2,000 casualties and at least $12million in damages.Hurricanes Seven and Eight were also active in the first half of October, both in the mid-Atlantic.Hurricane Nine made landfalls in both Cuba and Florida and was responsible for some 52 deaths.Hurricane Ten was sighted on October 23 near the Turks and Caicos Islands.The last cyclone of the year, Hurricane Eleven made landfall in Belize.
The first officially recognized tropical cyclone of 1870 made landfall near Mobile, Alabama, on July 30, though little is known about its genesis or track. According to one report, barometric pressure fell to 931 mbar (27.5 inHg), but this is considered dubious. The storm's passage was brief, with the strongest winds confined to a period of about two hours in the early afternoon. Storm surge flooding damaged coastal installations along the shores of Mobile Bay, and several steamboats were either sunk or blown ashore. The winds uprooted trees, damaged roofs, and severed telegraph wires throughout Mobile. At the height of the storm, a floating dry dock broke free from its moorings and traveled about 8 mi (13 km) up the Mobile River, crushing wharves and boats along its path. Overall, damage from the storm amounted to an estimated $200,000 (1870 USD).
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Wikipedia
