| Category 3 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
 Radar image of the hurricane on April 1, 1949 | |
| Formed | March 31, 1949 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | April 5, 1949 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 120 mph (195 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 954 mbar (hPa); 28.17 inHg |
| Fatalities | 3,300 total (3,247 direct, 53 indirect) |
| Damage | $81 million (1949 USD) |
| Areas affected | Yucatan, Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern United States, Northeastern United States, Canada |
The 1949 April Fools' Hurricane, also known as The Great Tallahassee Hurricane, was one of the deadliest Atlantic hurricanes in recorded history and the only recorded off-season major hurricane in that basin. The system was also the second Atlantic hurricane to form in the month of March, as well as the second to produce accumulating snow, with the first being the 1804 New England hurricane. Hurricane One originated from a tropical wave near the Yucatan Peninsula on March 31. Already a moderate tropical storm upon first observations, the cyclone took a northeastward path and intensified, becoming a hurricane the same day of discovery. By April 1 (April Fools' Day), Hurricane One was picking up speed and curving northward over more favorable conditions, causing the storm to rapidly intensify. As the storm approached the Florida panhandle, it peaked as a Category 3 major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) shortly before its first landfall in the state. Hours later, the system picked up more speed and weakened to a Category 1 hurricane as it went over Georgia. Shortly thereafter, the system curved eastward back over the warm Gulf Stream, gaining some ex-tropical characteristics that strengthened the storm. By the evening of April 3, Hurricane One strengthened back to a Hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) before making its second and last landfall in Rhode Island. The storm then accelerated northward and became extratropical over New England by April 4. The remains then traversed across Canada before dissipating near Ottawa the next day.
The hurricane produced strong winds, high surge and major inland flooding in the southeastern United States, with a wind gust of 145 mph (235 km/h) being reported in Mexico Beach. In the Northeast, Hurricane One caused strong winds, flooding, and even blizzard conditions in New England. Overall, the hurricane caused about $81 million in damages.
Meteorological history[]
Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
At around 05:00 am CDT on March 31, a moderate tropical storm was found west of the Yucatan Peninsula with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h). The cyclone steadily tracked northeastward and intensified over the few days until landfall. While north of Yucatan, the tropical storm strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). Hurricane One rapidly organized, and was "well developed" when taking a northward turning aiming towards Florida. At around 11:00 pm EDT on April 1, Hurricane One strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 28.17 inHg (954 mb) before making landfall south of Tallahassee, Florida. As Hurricane One was leaving Georgia, it weakened to a Tropical Storm, taking an eastward turn and aiming back towards water, being blocked by a high pressure over the Mid-Atlantic. As One left the United States, it started to take a northeastwards turn, following the Gulf-Stream. At around 05:00 pm EDT on April 3rd, One was upgraded back to a hurricane before making its second and last landfall in Rhode Island. The storm then accelerated northward, dissipating in Canada on April 5.
Preparations and impact[]
Surface weather analysis of the hurricane making landfall in Florida on April 2nd.
Yucatan[]
On March 31st, residents of the Yucatan were alerted of the possibility of heavy rain and tropical-storm force winds. Light tree damage and larger waves were reported in the northern part of the peninsula, but other then that, the impacts of the system were minimal. No fatalities were reported.
Port St Joe - April 2, 1949
Florida[]
On April 1, the United States Weather Bureau initiated hurricane precautions, and a hurricane warning was issued for the northwestern part of Florida. At around 01:00 am EDT on April 2nd, The Great Tallahassee Hurricane made its first landfall in Mexico Beach with sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a central barometric pressure of 28.28 inHg (958 mb), with a maximum gust of 145 mph (235 km/h) being reported in the area. A maximum surge of 15 feet (4.57 m) was also reported near the city, and most buildings in the area were completely destroyed. Gulf County was one of the worst impacted areas, with 770 homes destroyed and 28,500 others damaged to some level. Towards the east, Franklin County also received devastating impacts, with some level of damage effecting about 90% of homes and buildings. At around 3:30 am EDT, Hurricane One passed directly over Tallahassee with sustain winds of 100 mph (160 km/h), becoming the strongest storm on record to affect the city. Rainfall totals peaked in Tallahassee at 21 inches (53.34 cm), while over 15 inches (38.10 cm) reported in the Orlando & Tampa areas. Reports of tornadoes all along the path of the storm were also reported, most of them being weak.
Many residents, as well as vacationers who escaped the cold weather to the north, dismissed the storm as an April Fools' joke and didn't take the warnings seriously. As such, very few residents evacuated or prepared for the storm, with many not realizing the true nature of the threat until tropical-storm force winds arrived. Due to the unusual speed of the storm, people also did not have enough time to prepare/evacuate and were caught off guard by the storm's sudden arrival. Additionally, the storm made landfall at night, so many residents were killed in their sleep, with those who were awake being unable to see their surroundings in some areas, making it almost impossible to survive. Hurricane One also made landfall during a full moon and subsequent high tide, amplifying the storm surge and causing many who had survived the initial tide to be dragged out to sea as the tide receded. Overall, this storm left 2,150 homes destroyed and 58,900 others damaged to some degree, causing $70 million (1949 USD) in damages and at least 2,900 fatalities across the state, making this hurricane the deadliest in Florida's history. Over 98% of deaths were blamed on major flash flooding and storm surge, with most additional fatalities being caused by high winds as many were crushed by falling trees.
Shrewsbury - April 4, 1949
Little Compton - April 3, 1949
New England[]
On April 3rd, the United States Weather Bureau issued a notice of a possible hurricane headed toward New England. Much like in Florida, however, the storm was not taken seriously in New England due to the storm occurring well before the official start of hurricane season, and no warnings being issued until strong winds were already affecting the area. Winter weather alerts were issued alongside a Hurricane Warning were issued, resulting in widespread confusion that led many to believe that one of the warnings was a hoax or error. As the storm moved in, the storm's wind field rapidly expanded as it began an extratropical transition, with strong gale winds blowing down trees and toppling houses. As heavy snow began to fall, and the tide rising, many still thought it was just another nor'easter that season. At around 05:00 pm EDT, Hurricane One made its second and last landfall in Rhode Island with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 28.55 inHg (967 mb). As it made landfall, a maximum storm surge of 13 feet (3.96 m) was observed in Little Compton, Rhode Island, demolishing buildings all along the coast. Heavy snow was reported all over New England, with the heaviest snowfall occurring in northeast Massachusetts, with a maximum total of 31 inches (78.74 cm) recorded in Worcester and 28 inches (71.12 cm) falling in Boston. In most other places, snow was mixed with rain, lowering the snow totals. Due to high surge, waves, winds, and snowfall, Hurricane One caused $11 million dollars in damages and took 400+ lives in New England, making it the second deadliest hurricane to affect New England behind the 1938 New England hurricane.
Canada[]
By the time Hurricane One was affecting Canada, it was already extratropical and weakening, causing minimal damage. Regardless, snowfall was reported with the system. The remains then traversed across Canada before dissipating near Ottawa on April 5. No damage or fatalities were reported.
See also[]
1949 Atlantic hurricane season