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The 1908 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season. Thirteen tropical cyclones formed, of which ten became tropical storms; six became hurricanes, and one of those strengthened into a major hurricane – tropical cyclones that reach at least Category 3 on the modern day Saffir–Simpson scale. The season's first system developed on March 6, and the last storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on October 23.
1908 remains the only Atlantic hurricane season on record to feature two hurricanes prior to the month of June. The season's most intense tropical cyclone peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of in mid-September. Significant damage and at least 26 deaths occurred in Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas as a result of this storm. Most of the other systems also impacted land. In May, the second storm caused thousands of dollars in damage and one indirect death in the Northeastern United States. The next system caused flooding in North Carolina, resulting in the deaths of two children. In late September and early October, the eighth system caused considerable damage in portions of the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas, leaving six people dead. A hurricane which struck the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua inflicted severe damage in several communities and killed at least two people. Overall, the tropical cyclones of the season collectively caused at least 37 fatalities.
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Season summary
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Tropical cyclogenesis began on March 6, 1908, when the first system was initially detected northeast of the Lesser Antilles. It was the only off-season Atlantic tropical cyclone to reach Category 2 strength since the beginning of official records in 1851. On May 24, the next system developed near the Turks and Caicos Islands. When it intensified into a hurricane on May 28, the 1908 season became the only on record in which two systems reached hurricane status prior to the month of June. Seven out of the ten systems reaching at least tropical storm intensity made landfall during the season. Collectively, the tropical cyclones of the 1908 Atlantic hurricane season caused at least 37 fatalities.
The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 95. 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 , which is the threshold for tropical storm intensity. Thus, tropical depressions are not included here.
Systems
Hurricane One
The 1908 March hurricane was initially observed by a ship at 12:00 UTC on March 6 while located about northeast of Barbuda. Tracking in an unusual south-southwest direction, the storm intensified into a Category 1 hurricane on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. Shortly before reaching the United States Virgin Islands early on March 8, the hurricane intensified into a Category 2 hurricane, peaking with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of , which was observed outside the center in Nevis. Winds in Saint Martin toppled tents and did considerable damaged to crops. The city of Basseterre on Saint Kitts saw winds damaging winds, where rainfall totaled . The storm also beached at least 24 small crafts and boats, and severely damaged crops along the island. The cyclone made landfall west of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with winds of around 21:00 UTC on May 29. A few hours later, the cyclone re-emerged into the Atlantic Ocean. Early on May 30, the hurricane weakened to a tropical storm. Accelerating northeastward, the storm struck eastern Long Island, New York, with winds of late on May 30, just prior to making landfall near Noank, Connecticut, at the same intensity around 23:00 UTC. The storm became extratropical over southern Maine early on May 31. The remnants continued northeastward until dissipating over the northern portion of the state several hours later.
In North Carolina, the storm produced sustained winds up to at Morehead City. Winds disrupted communications with towns along the Outer Banks. Rough seas generated by the storm in New Jersey swept away a significant amount of sand, especially at Long Branch. An oceanfront street in the city was closed after waves washed out approximately of the road. In Rhode Island, storm surge and abnormally high tides wrecked many boats at Narragansett Bay. One person died of exhaustion during the storm and another suffered a serious injury when a tree fell on a car. Damage in the state was estimated in the thousands of dollars.
Hurricane Three
A disturbance developed into a tropical depression about east-northeast of the Abaco Islands around 12:00 UTC on July 24. Heading northwestward, the depression intensified into a tropical storm about 24 hours later. Thereafter, the cyclone executed a slow cyclonic loop just north of Grand Bahama island, until it turned northward on July 29. Early on the following day, the system intensified into a hurricane, shortly before peaking with maximum sustained winds of . Around 11:00 UTC on July 31, the hurricane made landfall in modern-day Emerald Isle, North Carolina, at the same intensity. The system then curved east-northeastward and weakened to a tropical storm just prior to re-emerging into the Atlantic late on July 31. By 18:00 UTC on August 2, the storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about southeast of Baccaro, Nova Scotia. The extratropical remnants continued northeastward across Newfoundland before dissipating on August 3.
Hurricane warnings were issued on July 30 from Hatteras, North Carolina, to Norfolk, Virginia. Rainfall peaked at in New Bern, while the storm contributed to the total of of precipitation that fell in Kinston over the course of four days. Flooding submerged the main city streets in Kingston and washed out railroad bridges and tracks. Two children drowned in the town of Roper. In Virginia, the highest known sustained wind speed was at Cape Henry, The extratropical remnants of the storm caused eight deaths in Atlantic Canada after several boats capsized. In Nova Scotia, the storm downed a number of trees and damaged many properties in Halifax. Heavy rainfall also washed out unpaved roads in the city and left them nearly impassable.
Tropical Storm Four
A tropical depression developed just offshore Sabine Pass, Texas, around 00:00 UTC on July 29. Moving southeastward, the depression intensified into a tropical storm about 12 hours later. Early on July 30, the storm peaked with maximum sustained winds of . Eventually, it recurved to the north-northwest and headed toward Louisiana. At 22:00 UTC on July 31, the cyclone made landfall on Marsh Island, Louisiana, at the same intensity. The storm weakened to a tropical depression early on August 2, around the time it curved northeastward. By late on August 3, the system dissipated over northern Mississippi.
The storm dropped heavy rainfall in portions of Louisiana. The city of Franklin recorded of precipitation between July 26 and August 2, including in one day. The coastal parishes of Louisiana experienced severe flooding, with major damage to rice crops. Farther east, floodwaters inundated streets in the outskirts of New Orleans, necessitating the use of skiffs for navigation. Four coal barges carrying cargo collectively valued at $12,000 sank in the Mississippi River near New Orleans.
Tropical Storm Five
A ship detected a tropical storm about southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, at 12:00 UTC on August 30. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, wind gusts near uprooted many trees and partially destroyed many buildings and homes on Grand Turk Island. The Haitian sloop Telegraph capsized at Hawk's Nest with the loss of all occupants. Overall, the storm killed at least 19 people in the island chain. In the Bahamas, significant damage was reported on Acklins, Crooked Island, Inagua, Long Cay, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador Island. In Clarence Town, which is located on Long Island, the storm completely destroyed the churches, courthouse, and jail, as well as 97 percent of homes, leaving only five dwellings standing. The schooner Beulah McCabe sank in the vicinity of the Bahamas, causing the deaths of seven people. Wind gusts ranging from impacted Bermuda, though damage was mainly limited to some uprooted trees. In Atlantic Canada, some boats along the south coast of Nova Scotia suffered minor damage.
Tropical Storm Seven
A ship first observed this tropical storm about north-northwest of Telchac Puerto, Yucatán, at 12:00 UTC on September 16. In Cuba, the hurricane destroyed several buildings, including the custom house, which was under construction. Many fruit groves suffered substantial damage. On the Abaco Islands, several buildings at a timber company's plant, one home, and several huts were destroyed. Eleuthera also reported extensive damage, including the destruction of a mission house, a chapel, and several other buildings. The storm toppled many coconut trees, while one plantation alone lost about 300 banana trees. Throughout the Bahamas, this storm, combined with the hurricane in mid-September, resulted in the near total loss of grapefruit, orange, and sisal crops. Additionally, the cyclone downed a number of trees and destroyed many gardens. Heavy rains and high winds also pelted Bermuda, damaging a number of structures.
Hurricane Nine
A ship indicated that a tropical depression developed about north-northeast of Nombre de Dios, Colón, on October 14 at 12:00 UTC. The towns of Prinzapolka and Rio Grande were completely destroyed. The New York Times reported "much loss of life,"
Tropical Storm Ten
An extratropical low-pressure area became a tropical storm about west of Bermuda at 12:00 UTC on October 20. The cyclone moved southeastward and failed to strengthen beyond maximum sustained winds of . Late on October 21, the storm curved southwestward and then northwestward early the next day. Due to colder sea surface temperatures,
Other systems
In addition to the ten tropical cyclones reaching at least tropical storm intensity, three others remained tropical depressions. On August 3, a tropical depression formed about southeast of Bermuda. The depression moved northeastward and later southeastward, before dissipating on August 5. Another tropical depression developed on September 12 about west-northwest of Nouakchott, Mauritania. The depression moved southwestward and passed through the Cape Verde islands before dissipating on September 15. A trough developed into a tropical depression on September 21 about northeast of French Guiana. The depression moved east-northeastward and may have intensified into a tropical storm. However, the depression was last noted on the following day.