 Surface weather analysis of the hurricane approaching South Florida on August 26. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 23, 1949 |
| Extratropical | August 29, 1949 |
| Dissipated | August 31, 1949 |
| Category 4 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 130 mph (215 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 954 mbar (hPa); 28.17 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 2 direct, 1 indirect |
| Damage | $52 million (1949 USD) |
| Areas affected | |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1949 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The 1949 Florida hurricane, also known as the Delray Beach hurricane, caused significant damage in the southern portions of the state late in the month of August. The second recorded tropical cyclone of the annual hurricane season, the system originated from a tropical wave near the northern Leeward Islands on August 23. Already a tropical storm upon initial observations, the cyclone curved west-northwestward and intensified, becoming a hurricane on August 25. Rapid intensification ensued as the storm approached the central Bahamas early on August 26, with the storm reaching Category 4 hurricane strength later that day and peaking with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (210 km/h) shortly after striking Andros. Late on August 26, the storm made landfall near Lake Worth, Florida, at the same intensity. The cyclone initially weakened quickly after moving inland, falling to Category 1 status early the next day. Shortly thereafter, the system curved northward over the Nature Coast and entered Georgia on August 28, where it weakened to a tropical storm. The storm then accelerated northeastward and became extratropical over New England by August 29. The remnants traversed Atlantic Canada and much of the Atlantic Ocean before dissipating near Ireland on September 1.
The hurricane produced strong winds in the Bahamas, including a wind gust of 120 mph (190 km/h) on Bimini. A wide expanse of the east coast of Florida, stretching from Miami Beach to St. Augustine, observed hurricane-force winds, while much of the state recorded winds of at least 50 mph (80 km/h). Closer to the location of landfall, the Lake Worth Inlet observed a sustained wind speeds of 127 mph (204 km/h). Palm Beach County was one of the worst impacted areas, with 65 homes destroyed and 13,283 others damaged to some degree. Just to the north, Martin County also received extensive impact, with severe damage inflicted to about 40% of homes and commercial buildings in Stuart, where winds gusted to 160 mph (260 km/h) prior to the worst conditions. The storm generated the most severe impacts observed on Lake Okeechobee since the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, but unlike the latter storm, did not manage to breach the local levees. Overall, the hurricane damaged about 18,000 homes, while roughly 1,000 other structures suffered severe damage or destruction in Florida. About $45 million in damage occurred in the state, which included $20 million in damage to crops, $18 million to property, $4 million electrical and communications, and $500,000 to road infrastructure.
Damage throughout the United States totaled about $52.35 million and three deaths occurred, two in Florida and one in Georgia.[nb 1]
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