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Information About

Havana-bermuda Hurricane Of 1926




  Type hurricane
  Formed October 14 , 1926
  Dissipated October 29 , 1926
  Highest Winds 135 Mph
  Lowest Pressure Unknown
  Total Damages $100 million (1926 USD) <br> $105 billion (2005 USD)
  Total Fatalities 738
  Areas Affected Swan Island , Cuba , Florida , Bahamas , Bermuda
  Hurricane Season 1926 Atlantic Hurricane Season


The Havana-Bermuda Hurricane was an intense Category 4 hurricane that cut a path of destruction across Cuba , Bahamas , and Bermuda .


STORM HISTORY


The Havana-Bermuda Hurricane formed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea near Panama on October 14 . It drifted to the north-northwest, and intensified into a hurricane as it brushed past Swan Island on October 18 . The strengthening hurricane struck Isle Of Youth , Cuba on October 20 at Category 3 intensity, bringing severe winds that leveled the Cuban town of Nueva Gerona. Bearing 120 mph winds the hurricane brought devestation to the captial of Havana . The rains and winds virtually leveled the Cuban army headquarters Camp Columbia. In Havana Harbor, numerous vessels ranging from warships to wooden schooners were wrecked by the relentless waves.

The hurricane recurved to the northeast, weakened to Category 2 intensity, and on October 21 brought Tropical Storm force winds over Florida , an area still recovering from the Great Miami Hurricane . After brushing the southeast tip of Florida, the hurricane crossed over the northern Bahamas and restrengthened back to a major hurricane. After rapidly intensifying to a 135 Mph Category 4 storm thereafter, it passed directly over the island of Bermuda . It continued to the northeast and became extratropical on October 23 .


IMPACT

The Havana-Bermuda Hurricane killed a total of 738 people, including 650 people and Cuba , while 88 died in Bermuda . There was over $100 million dollars (1926 USD) in damage.

When the hurricane passed over Bermuda , it sank two British warships; the '' Calcutta '' and the '' Valerian ''. 88 sailors and officers onboard the ''Valerian'' drowned.


TRIVIA


The Havana-Bermuda Hurricane did damage a monument, dedicated to the memory of the U.S. service members who perished when the battleship '' Maine '' exploded in 1898. The monument was later restored.

The Havana-Bermuda Hurricane was the first hurricane to directly cross the island of Bermuda .


SEE ALSO




SOURCES

  • David Longshore. "Havana-Bermuda Hurricane." Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons and Cyclones. David Longshore. New York: Facts on File, 1998, Pg; 161-162.



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