1909 Grand Isle hurricane

The origins of the Grand Isle hurricane were in a tropical disturbance over the western Atlantic Ocean in early September 1909. Enhanced by a strong area of high pressure over the Azores and British Isles, the system was able to gradually intensify as it neared the Lesser Antilles. On September 10, barometric pressures across several of the islands in the eastern Caribbean fell, indicating that a disturbance was moving through the region. Tracking west-northwestward, the depression brushed the coast of Haiti before attaining tropical storm intensity off the northwestern coast of Jamaica on September 15. The storm's eye passed over the town of Manta for four hours, between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm on September 17. of the hurricane over the southeast Gulf of Mexico on September 18 Slight weakening took place after moving over western Cuba; however, once over the Gulf of Mexico, the storm steadily regained its strength. By September 19, the system re-attained the equivalent intensity of a Category 2 hurricane and the forward motion increased. Early that morning, the storm further intensified to attain its peak winds of , equivalent to a mid-range Category 3 cyclone. Early on September 21, it was estimated that the center of the hurricane made landfall near Grand Isle, Louisiana with winds of . A pressure of 952 mbar (hPa; ) was recorded around this time, the lowest in relation to the storm. The storm's lowest pressure was also operationally listed as 931 mbar (hPa; ). This pressure was based on operational estimates in relation to the system's storm surge and was not directly measured. However, later research of the storm determined that its winds had not exceeded . Once overland, the system quickly weakened, losing hurricane status within 12 hours and later to a tropical depression over southern Missouri. The remnants of the system were last noted on September 22 as it merged with a trough over the Midwestern United States. ==Impact==

In western Cuba, the hurricane brought strong winds and heavy rains to several areas. A maximum of of rain fell in a 24‑hour span, while the strongest recorded winds reached . Throughout Pinar del Río Province, damage was estimated at $1 million (1909 USD). Of the fatalities, 27 were crew members and two were passengers. United States Prior to the hurricane's arrival in the United States, the National Weather Bureau issued several hurricane warnings. As the storm passed over western Cuba, warnings were declared for much of the Gulf Coast of Florida and all ships in the Gulf or planning to set sail were advised return and remain at port. Warnings were then issued for the northern Gulf Coast, allowing residents time to evacuate before the storm struck. Damage throughout Louisiana and Mississippi was estimated to be at least $10 million (1909 USD). Louisiana , from the hurricane In New Orleans, the storm caused substantial damage, with many homes destroyed and ships wrecked. The resulting floods, which inundated areas with upwards of of water, A report falsely claimed that the city's French Quarter was "swept away". A total of 306 coal barges sank off the coast of New Orleans and Lobdell (West Baton Rouge Parish), incurring over $1 million in losses. after the hurricane|230x230px Strong winds from the hurricane lifted homes off their foundations and in some cases, the homes were blown away from where they originally stood. Many towns in Louisiana were isolated immediately after the storm as telegraph communication was lost. Along a stretch of coastline near where the storm made landfall, A maximum of of rain fell in the state during the passage of the hurricane. In Natchez, winds up to blew roofs off homes and shut down the local power station, leaving the city in darkness. Telegraph wires were also downed, cutting communication with the surrounding area. A maximum of of rain fell in Mississippi during the passage of the hurricane. Further inland, the remnants of the hurricane brought light to moderate rainfall to portions of the central United States. A maximum of of rain fell in Arkansas; in Missouri; in Tennessee; and in Kentucky. A section of the Louisville and Nashville railroad and an section of the Illinois central railroad were washed out by floods caused by the storm's remnants. ==Aftermath==

in New Orleans inundated by of water Although the storm killed more than 370 people in the United States, the National Weather Bureau was credited for "invaluable warnings" prior to the hurricane's arrival, saving many lives. By September 25, thousands of dollars' worth of supplies had been sent to survivors of the storm. However, more than four days after the passage of the storm, many other areas devastated by the hurricane had yet to receive aid from either the government or United States Army. Congressman Robert F. Broussard sent a telegraph to the war department requesting aid; however, he had not received a response by September 27. Initially, news reports focused on the large loss of life from the storm but, once the lack of aid was noticed, their attention shifted to the hundreds of survivors who were left homeless and in dire need of basic necessities. Within days of the storm's passage, there were fears that the storm ruined the cotton crop in southern Louisiana and would cause a spike in prices. However, in a report released on October 4, 1909, it was stated that the losses were much less than previously thought and as a result, there would be no change in the cotton price. According to a report in 2009, the rice and cotton crops sustained 35% and 20% losses respectively in the wake of the hurricane. ==See also==