1928 Fort Pierce hurricane

Meteorological history

A tropical disturbance was first identified north of the Leeward Islands near the Virgin Islands at 0000 UTC on August 3. Due to a lack of conclusive weather reports from nearby areas at the time, the origins of the tropical storm were initially unknown, but listed the system as forming near Trinidad and Barbados in the HURDAT—the database listing all tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin since 1851. However, the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project analyzed the storm to have formed north of the Leeward Islands based on reports from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and as such revised the storm's HURDAT listing. Moving to the west-northwest, the tropical storm maintained its intensity without any intensification early in its existence. Ships in the region reported tropical storm-force winds and low barometric pressures. Beginning to accelerate as it paralleled the Cuban Atlantic coast the following day, the storm intensified to reach an intensity equivalent to a modern-day Category 1 hurricane at 1200 UTC.

The hurricane continued to intensify, and attained Category 2 hurricane intensity by 0600 UTC on August 7. At around the same time, the S.S. Lempira reported a minimum pressure of 971 mbar, while 30 mi southeast of Jupiter, Florida. At the time, maximum sustained winds were estimated at 105 mph; this would be the hurricane's peak intensity. The hurricane weakened slightly before making landfall on central Florida, just southeast of Fort Pierce, Florida, at 0700 UTC the following day. Winds at landfall were estimated at 100 mph, with a minimum central pressure of 977 mbar recorded in Fort Pierce within the hurricane's eye. At the time, the system's maximum winds extended up to 10 mi from the center of circulation. The storm then slowly crossed the Florida peninsula, before entering the Gulf of Mexico the next day near Tampa, Florida, after having weakened down to tropical storm strength. Despite remaining over water, its close proximity to the continent prevented further strengthening. The tropical storm recurved to the north in the gulf, before making a second landfall near Apalachicola, Florida at 0400 UTC on August 10 with winds of 40 mph. Moving inland, the system rapidly weakened as it continued to recurve to the northeast, further degenerating to tropical depression strength at 0000 UTC on August 11 while situated over Georgia. Based on weather station observations, the storm was analyzed to have transitioned into an extratropical cyclone later that day. The extratropical storm strengthened slightly over the Mid-Atlantic states, before exiting into the Atlantic Ocean near the Virginia Capes. The storm system progressed eastward across the ocean before dissipating at 1800 UTC on August 14.

Preparations and impact

The Bahamas and Cuba

Passing through The Bahamas on August 6–7, the tropical storm caused minor damage on the islands. Due to the rough seas, ships were taken to Nassau Harbor to ride out the storm. The storm passed without any disruption of shipping services. However, the flying boat Topsy Fish, containing two people, became lost over Bahamian waters on August 8. The plane and crew were later found north of Andros Island by a Miami relief plane and a boat from Nassau three days later. Cuba, located south of the storm throughout its duration, reported minimal effects from the hurricane, other than a lowering of barometric pressures as reported by José Carlos Millás, then-chief of the Cuban National Observatory. However, occasional thunderstorm activity fueled by the hurricane dropped rainfall over the island, and the storm generated heavy seas at the Cuban coast.

Florida

Upon notification that a newly formed tropical cyclone was approaching the Florida coast, the Weather Bureau posted storm warnings for coastal areas between Key West and West Palm Beach, Florida. Later on August 6, warnings were lowered in Key West, but the warning area was extended north to Titusville, Florida. Vessels and small craft located offshore north of Miami, Florida were notified to advise caution for the oncoming tropical disturbance. As the storm approached the coast, more accurate forecasts allowed vessels to be cautioned as far north as Hatteras, North Carolina. Storm warnings between Jupiter and Daytona, Florida were upgraded to hurricane warnings on August 7, in accordance with the storm's upgrade to hurricane intensity. After moving inland, hurricane warnings were lowered, but emergency warnings for the storm's potential effects were posted for the interior of the Florida peninsula north of 28°N the following day. Northwest storm warnings were issued in Tampa, while northeast storm warnings were issued from Tampa north to Apalachicola, Florida. All warnings were eventually lowered following the storm's dissipation.

Approaching the Floridian coast as an intensifying hurricane, the storm initially turned away from the peninsula for a short period of time on August 7, after nearly making landfall on West Palm Beach. Strong gusts of at least 30 mph and squally weather impacted the city, but did not cause any damage. However, telecommunications in the city were temporarily disrupted due to the storm. In Jupiter, stronger gusts reaching 60 mph were reported, but did not cause any damage as well. However, the hurricane's recurvature offshore was short lived, and the system eventually made its landfall near Fort Pierce, Florida early on August 8. Offshore, the USAHS Algonquin, a cruise ship belonging to the Clyde-Mallory cruise line, was caught in the storm, but managed to reach its destination of New York, New York without any major problems. Inland, damage was concentrated in an area extending from Jupiter to the border between Florida and Georgia. There, the nearby East Lake Tohopekaliga began to overflow, threatening property and crops. Losses to the citrus crop were estimated by the Florida Citrus Exchange to be equivalent to 1 million boxes of citrus. Lake Okeechobee's water level rose by 2 ft as a result of floodwater rushing into the lake. Damage along the lake's shores mostly occurred to the north. To the south, in Clewiston, minor damage was confined to trees and windows. Numerous highways were also washed out by the rains, especially on Florida's south-central east coast. Portions of State Road 4 were covered in debris strewn by strong winds. Damage to the state's road systems was estimated at $100,000 by the former Florida State Highway Commission. Bridges were also badly damaged, with some needing replacement.

Alongside the heavy rainfall, strong winds were reported. Due to the high winds, rail service on the Florida East Coast Railway was halted 3 mi north of Jupiter after winds became unsuitable for continued travel. Portions of the railway were also flooded in water. Many of the state's coastal beaches suffered from window damage and damage to vegetation caused by strong winds. An estimated 75% of structures in Fort Pierce and 50% of structures in Vero Beach were estimated to have been damaged by the strong winds, particularly in the form of torn roofs. A report suggested that damage from those two cities reached at least $1 million. The strong winds also hampered telephone and telegraph networks across the state, with losses as a result in excess of $1,000. In Winter Haven, winds were reported to have reached 75 mph, before power was cut. Property damage in Kissimmee and Haines City was severe, with many collapsed buildings. In Haines City, a large garage collapsed, destroying automobiles parked within. Nearby in Lakeland, there was less damage, though winds estimated at 50 mph tore signs and awnings. Similar conditions were felt in Ocala, though in some suburban areas trees were felled by the strong winds. Bus service in the area was delayed due to debris covering roadways.

Elsewhere in the United States

Upon the hurricane's second landfall on the Florida Panhandle on August 10, wind effects were much less significant, though the storm dropped widespread rainfall throughout its remaining path. Aided by orthographic lift from the Appalachian Mountains, the rainfall caused numerous reports of flood damage across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states. For any given 50000 mi2 area of land affected by the storm, the maximum average rainfall was 6.4 in. Similar impacts were felt in Augusta, Georgia, where strong winds toppled trees, damaged cottages, and severed telecommunication lines. Five people there were injured. In addition, a tornado occurred nearby, damaging houses and flattening trees.

Further east in the Carolinas, five people were killed in the Piedmont region due to floods caused by the passing storm. Torrential rainfall in the area resulted in disruption of power, communications, and traffic. Precipitation in those two states peaked at 9 in in western North Carolina. There, the James and Rivanna Rivers exceeded their respective flood stages, washing out peripheral crops. Offshore the Mid-Atlantic states, over 100 people were rescued after rough waves swept them away. Moderate gales associated with the storm were reported as far north as New York.

Notes

References

References

1. Landsea, Chris. "Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
2. Hanson Weightman, R.. (October 1, 1928). "West Indian Hurricanes of August 1928". American Meteorological Society.
3. (August 6, 1928). "Storm Curves Away; Florida to Miss Blow". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
4. (August 6, 1928). "No Damage Reported". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
5. (August 11, 1928). "Lost Men Found". San Jose News.
6. (August 6, 1928). "Cuba Escapes Storm". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
7. (August 8, 1928). "Heavy Sea on Cuban Coast". The Evening Independent.
8. (August 7, 1928). "Gale Strikes Florida, Then Turns to Sea". The Evening Independent.
9. (August 8, 1928). "Hurricane Batters Florida". San Jose News.
10. Schoner, R.W.. "Rainfall Associated With Hurricanes (And Other Tropical Disturbances)". United States Weather Bureau's National Hurricane Research Project.
11. (August 9, 1928). "Hurricane Sweeps to Gulf". Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express.
12. (August 8, 1928). "Florida in Grip of Gale". Lewiston Evening Journal.
13. (2006). "Florida's hurricane history". University of North Carolina Press.
14. (June 1994). "Florida hurricanes and tropical storms, 1871-1993 : an historical survey". Florida Sea Grant College Program, University of Florida.
15. (August 8, 1928). "Station Roof Carried Away". The Evening Independent.
16. (August 8, 1928). "Estimate Damage at $5,000,000; Houses Down". The Evening Independent.
17. (August 9, 1928). "Storm Causes Big Damage on Florida Coast". The Daily Times.
18. (August 9, 1928). "Clearwater Not in Storm Area". The Evening Independent.
19. (August 9, 1928). "Hits South of Ocala". The Evening Independent.
20. (August 11, 1928). "Floods Sweep Over Georgia". The Pittsburgh Press.
21. (August 11, 1928). "Elements Take Heavy Toll In Life, Property". The Washington Reporter.
22. (August 11, 1928). "Macon Is Warned Of Floods As Storm Sweeps Georgia; Tornado Lashes Augusta". The Atlanta Constitution.
23. (August 12, 1928). "5 Are Dead in Hurricane". The Milwaukee Journal.
24. Frankenfield, H.C.. (August 1, 1928). "Rivers and Floods". American Meteorological Society.
25. (August 13, 1928). "Much Damage Is Caused By Severe Storms In East". The Telegraph-Herald.