Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 18, 1891 |
Dissipated | August 25, 1891 |
Category 3 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 125 mph (205 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 961 mbar (hPa); 28.38 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | >700 |
Damage | $10 million (1891 USD) |
Areas affected | Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1891 Atlantic hurricane season |
The 1891 Martinique hurricane, also known as Hurricane San Magín,[1] was an intense major hurricane that struck the island of Martinique and caused massive damage. It was the third hurricane of the 1891 Atlantic hurricane season and the only major hurricane of the season. It was first sighted east of the Lesser Antilles on August 18 as a Category 2 hurricane. The storm made landfall on the island of Martinique, where it caused severe damage, over 700 deaths and at least 1,000 injuries. It crossed eastern Dominican Republic while tracking on a northwestward direction on August 19–20, passed the Mona Passage on August 20 and the Bahamas on August 22–23. It crossed the U.S. State of Florida and dissipated in the Gulf of Mexico after August 25. Total damage is estimated at $10 million (1891 USD). The storm is considered to be the worst on Martinique since 1817.