1919 Atlantic hurricane season | |
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Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | June 1, 1919 |
Last system dissipated | November 15, 1919 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | "Florida Keys" |
• Maximum winds | 150 mph (240 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 927 mbar (hPa; 27.37 inHg) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total depressions | 10 |
Total storms | 5 |
Hurricanes | 2 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 1 |
Total fatalities | 828 |
Total damage | $22 million (1919 USD) |
Related articles | |
The 1919 Atlantic hurricane season was among the least active hurricane seasons in the Atlantic on record,[1] featuring only five tropical storms. Of those five tropical cyclones, two of them intensified into a hurricane, with one strengthening into a major hurricane (category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.) Two tropical depressions developed in the month of June, both of which caused negligible damage. A tropical storm in July brought minor damage to Pensacola, Florida, but devastated a fleet of ships. Another two tropical depressions formed in August, the first of which brought rainfall to the Lesser Antilles.
The most intense tropical cyclone of the season was the Florida Keys hurricane. Many deaths occurred after ships capsized in Bahamas, the Florida Keys, and Cuba. Strong winds left about $2 million in damage in Key West. After crossing the Gulf of Mexico, severe impact was reported in Texas, especially the Corpus Christi area. Overall, the hurricane caused 828 fatalities and $22 million in damage, $20 million of which was inflicted in Texas alone. Three other tropical cyclones developed in September, including two tropical storms and one tropical depression, all of which left negligible impact on land. The final tropical system of the season also did not affect land and became extratropical on November 15.
The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 55,[1] slightly below the 1911–1920 average of 58.7.[2] ACE is a metric used to express the energy used by a tropical cyclone during its lifetime. Therefore, a storm with a longer duration will have high values of ACE. It is only calculated at six-hour increments in which specific tropical and subtropical systems are either at or above sustained wind speeds of 39 mph (63 km/h), which is the threshold for tropical storm intensity. Thus, tropical depressions are not included here.[1]