As the current active hurricane season continues, it is interesting to note the anniversary of two particularly devastating storms. The first was noted on October 5, 1846 in the Caribbean Sea, but little else was known until the storm approached Cuba on October 10th. It crossed Cuba, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and into Pennsylvania, then entered an extratropical transition while situated over New York on October 13th. There were still intense Category 2-force winds but remarkably little precipitation. This was before storms were named, and is simple called the “Great Havana Hurricane”. Enormous damage occurred along the entire path. Hurricane Hazel took a similar path 108 years later.
Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu