1886 Indianola hurricane
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| The city of Indianola in 1875 | |
| Formed | August 12, 1886 |
| Dissipated | August 21, 1886 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 150 mph (240 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 925 mbar (hPa); 27.32 inHg |
| Fatalities | 74+ |
| Damage | $200,000 (1886 USD) |
| Areas affected | Lesser Antilles, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Texas |
| Part of the 1886 Atlantic hurricane season | |
The Indianola Hurricane of 1886 destroyed the town of Indianola, Texas. It was one of the most intense hurricanes ever to hit the United States.
Contents |
[edit] Meteorological history
The storm began east of the Lesser Antilles on August 12. The tropical storm moved northwestward through the islands, reaching hurricane strength on August 13. It hit the Dominican Republic as a Category 2 hurricane, weakened a bit, and hit southeastern Cuba as a Category 2 hurricane. The storm weakened over land. this went on for 10 days
When the tropical storm reached the favorable Gulf of Mexico waters on the August 18, it again strengthened. As the hurricane approached the coast of Texas, it rapidly intensified to a 150 mph (240 km/h) hurricane. At the time, it was tied for the strongest hurricane ever recorded (the first reported, and confirmed, Category 5 hurricane would be in 1928). On August 19, winds increased in Indianola, and, on August 20, it made landfall as a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane. Pressure at landfall is estimated to be 925 mbar, which would make it the fifth strongest hurricane known to have hit the United States, and by winds, it was the fourth most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland. The hurricane had moved inland and didn't stop until it hit near the very edge or tip of northern Texas. Texans didn't have a warning until it had hit the Caribbeans.
[edit] Impact
The total death toll was at least 74, including 28 in Cuba.
| Rank | Hurricane | Season | Landfall pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Labor Day" | 1935 | 892 mbar (hPa) |
| 2 | Camille | 1969 | 909 mbar (hPa) |
| 3 | Katrina | 2005 | 920 mbar (hPa) |
| 4 | Andrew | 1992 | 922 mbar (hPa) |
| 5 | "Indianola" | 1886 | 925 mbar (hPa) |
| 6 | "Florida Keys" | 1919 | 927 mbar (hPa) |
| 7 | "Okeechobee" | 1928 | 929 mbar (hPa) |
| 8 | Donna | 1960 | 930 mbar (hPa) |
| 9 | Carla | 1961 | 931 mbar (hPa) |
| 10 | Hugo | 1989 | 934 mbar (hPa) |
| Source: National Hurricane Center | |||
In Texas, the hurricane obliterated the town of Indianola that was only just recovering from a powerful 1875 hurricane on the same location. This storm caused fewer fatalities however (46 in Indianola, compared to 400 in the 1875 storm), largely because the storm struck during the day and residents had time to take shelter. The hurricane also ended a severe drought in Texas.
The storm hit the coast of Texas on August 20, wreaking property destruction in a number of towns, and resulting in a number of deaths.
The storm reached Victoria, Texas at about 7 AM, destroying or damaging most of the buildings in the city. An estimated 75 houses were destroyed and another 118 were damaged. The town's jail and high school were both damaged while the freight station, Masonic hall, and certain sections of town were "almost literally swept from the earth." No deaths were reported in the town, but the initial damages were estimated at $100,000 (1886 USD) and the citizens of the town declared the hurricane "the most terrible storm ever known in Victoria."[1]
In Indianola, Texas, the hurricane started a great fire, probably ignited by lamps burning in houses blown down by the wind. The fire destroyed all but two of the town's buildings and killed a large number of citizens. The storm also destroyed two and half miles of railroad track, making communication with Indianola very difficult and complicating rescue efforts.[1]
In Galveston, Texas, the storm capsized a forty-ton schooner, the Liviona Perkins, killing three crew members. The storm also damaged roads, railways and houses leading to an estimated $200,000 in damage (1886 USD).[1]
[edit] Aftermath
Indianola's residents relocated farther inland after the storm; the old town's ruins sit just offshore under 15 feet of water in Matagorda Bay.
The storm ended the rivalry between Galveston and Indianola as the chief port of Texas. With the abandonment of Indianola and the unwillingness of the former residents to rebuild close to shore, Galveston became the most important Texan port until the 1900 Galveston Hurricane led to the rise of Houston as a major port.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Indianola Hurricanes from the Handbook of Texas Online
