Hurricane Cuba

Summary

The 1924 Cuba Hurricane, known as the first recorded Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, formed on October 14, 1924, in the western Caribbean. It intensified rapidly, reaching a peak intensity with sustained winds of 165 mph and a central pressure of 910 mb. This hurricane made a significant mark in meteorological history by being the earliest recorded Category 5 hurricane to make landfall, which it did on the western tip of Cuba.

The hurricane caused extreme devastation in western Cuba, particularly in the Pinar del Río Province where it produced winds likened to a tornado. Nearly every building in the towns of Los Arroyos and Mantua was destroyed or severely damaged. The hurricane also devastated the tobacco crops, a vital part of the region's economy. The storm was responsible for approximately 90 fatalities in Cuba and caused extensive damage to the region's infrastructure, severing all communication links.

After impacting Cuba, the hurricane continued towards Florida, making landfall as a much-weakened storm but still bringing heavy rains and causing flooding. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential destructiveness of hurricanes and the importance of preparedness and early warning systems in mitigating their impact.

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