1870 Atlantic hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1870 Atlantic hurricane season lasted from mid-summer to late-fall. Records show that in 1870 there were eleven cyclones. There was one tropical storm, all the others became hurricanes and two those hurricane became major hurricanes (category 3+). However, due to scarce technology and the fact that only storms that affected land or ships were recorded, the actual total could be higher. Most notably, Hurricane Six caused at least $12 million in damage and around 2,000 fatalities in Cuba
and Florida
.
. It very quickly diminished over land.
, before it peaked as a category 2 hurricane. The storm then curved back to the northeast. Two then paralleled the coast of Nova Scotia
until it was last seen on September 4 near Newfoundland
.
islands on September 1. It headed to the west and would approach hurricane status. However, Tropical Storm Three was not upgraded to a hurricane and it would dissipate on September 4.
on September 9. It later bypassed to the west of Bermuda
as a category 3 hurricane. It had maintained this intensity until it began to pass south of Newfoundland. Four had weakened back to a category 2 hurricane at that time and it became extratropical on September 13.
. It moved west-northwest, becoming a hurricane south of Cuba
on October 6. The hurricane rapidly strengthened to its peak of 115 mi/h prior to hitting Matanzas, Cuba on October 7. After crossing the island, it moved slowly over the Florida Keys
, causing an additional 1,200 deaths there. It moved out to sea, last being seen on October 14. The hurricane, known as the Hurricane of San Marcos or the Straits of Florida
Hurricane, caused massive flooding in Cuba and south Florida, resulting in 2,000 casualties.
Damage was estimated at over $12 million (USD).
. It dissipated before it was able to reach the islands.
as a category 1 hurricane. Heading out to sea, it eventually dissipated on October 22. Hurricane Nine was responsible for 52 fatalities.
on October 23. Though it had apparently dissipated shortly thereafter.
. After emerging into the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane re-gained some strengthen but ultimately dissipated on November 3.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
Hurricane One
Hurricane One was discovered as it made landfall near Biloxi, MississippiMississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
. It very quickly diminished over land.
Hurricane Two
Hurricane Two formed on August 30. The storm moved northwest towards the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, before it peaked as a category 2 hurricane. The storm then curved back to the northeast. Two then paralleled the coast of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
until it was last seen on September 4 near Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
.
Tropical Storm Three
This storm was discovered near the Cape VerdeCape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
islands on September 1. It headed to the west and would approach hurricane status. However, Tropical Storm Three was not upgraded to a hurricane and it would dissipate on September 4.
Hurricane Four
Hurricane Four was discovered a few hundred miles to the north of Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
on September 9. It later bypassed to the west of Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
as a category 3 hurricane. It had maintained this intensity until it began to pass south of Newfoundland. Four had weakened back to a category 2 hurricane at that time and it became extratropical on September 13.
Hurricane Five
Hurricane Five was discovered to the southwest of Bermuda on September 17. Five began to accelerate the further north it had moved. It had remained at sea during its entire duration and it became extratropical on September 20.Hurricane Six
On October 5, a tropical storm developed south of HaitiHaiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
. It moved west-northwest, becoming a hurricane south of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
on October 6. The hurricane rapidly strengthened to its peak of 115 mi/h prior to hitting Matanzas, Cuba on October 7. After crossing the island, it moved slowly over the Florida Keys
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. They begin at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, about south of Miami, and extend in a gentle arc south-southwest and then westward to Key West, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and on to the uninhabited Dry...
, causing an additional 1,200 deaths there. It moved out to sea, last being seen on October 14. The hurricane, known as the Hurricane of San Marcos or the Straits of Florida
Straits of Florida
The Straits of Florida, Florida Straits, or Florida Strait is a strait located south-southeast of the North American mainland, generally accepted to be between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, and between the Florida Keys and Cuba. The strait carries the Florida Current, the beginning of...
Hurricane, caused massive flooding in Cuba and south Florida, resulting in 2,000 casualties.
Damage was estimated at over $12 million (USD).
Hurricane Seven
Hurricane Seven was first discovered on October 7, located a few hundred miles west of Cape Verde. Seven was a category 1 hurricane that had apparently dissipated shortly thereafter it was discovered.Hurricane Eight
Hurricane Eight was discovered more than 800 miles (1287 km) to the east of Bermuda. Eight, a category 1 hurricane, headed to the east-northeast toward the AzoresAzores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
. It dissipated before it was able to reach the islands.
Hurricane Nine
Hurricane Nine was discovered into the Caribbean on October 19. It later made a landfall in western Cuba Category 2 hurricane. Later on, it made landfall in FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
as a category 1 hurricane. Heading out to sea, it eventually dissipated on October 22. Hurricane Nine was responsible for 52 fatalities.
Hurricane Ten
A hurricane was discovered near Turks and Caicos IslandsTurks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union consisting of two groups of tropical islands in the Caribbean, the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, known for tourism and as an offshore financial centre.The Turks and...
on October 23. Though it had apparently dissipated shortly thereafter.
Hurricane Eleven
Eleven was first discovered on October 30 in the western Caribbean as a tropical storm. It quickly strengthened into a hurricane before it made landfall in BelizeBelize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
. After emerging into the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane re-gained some strengthen but ultimately dissipated on November 3.