Impact
Strong winds were reported along coastal areas of North Carolina, with sustained winds peaking at 72 mph (116 km/h) at Kitty Hawk. Winds reached 54 mph (87 km/h) at Cape Henry, Virginia, and the combination of the winds and rough surf washed some boats ashore. A schooner was lost near Chincoteague, with its crew of 30 missing and presumed killed. A squall line destroyed the front mast of a schooner near Cape Henry, as well. A flock of birds encountered the hurricane over eastern Virginia; hundreds of birds were killed and fell to the ground near Old Point Comfort, many of which were stripped of their feathers. The outer rainbands of the storm produced heavy amounts of precipitation near Washington, D.C., canceling a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Senators.
In Ocean City, Maryland, the hurricane was considered the worst in 40 years. Several schooners broke free from their moorings near Salisbury and were subsequently destroyed after passing downstream. The hurricane produced 80 mph (130 km/h) winds and rough waves along the Delaware Capes. One schooner along the Delaware coastline was destroyed after hitting the rocky coastline; its crew of 5 were killed. Three barges and a steamer capsized in the Delaware Bay, while onshore, the winds of the hurricane destroyed the roofs of 4 houses in Laurel. The winds downed many trees and destroyed several chimneys near Lewes.
Hurricane force winds occurred across coastal areas of South Jersey, one of only two hurricanes to produce hurricane force winds in the state. The storm's strong surf destroyed several boats along the coastline, including 34 in Waretown. The surf damaged or destroyed most fishing piers and oceanfront pavilions in the Atlantic City area, with tons of debris dispersed across the beach. Strong winds from the hurricane downed all telephone and telegraph wires across the coastal region, with initial damage reports provided by trains. Additionally, the winds destroyed the roofs of an estimated 50 to 60 cottages. The strong winds, combined with heavy rainfall, resulted in one indirect fatality when a man, unable to see owing to the hurricane, drove into a train in Cape May. At least 2 houses were destroyed in Atlantic City. Several streets were flooded, with severe transportation delays reported. Damage across the state was estimated at $8 million (1903 USD, $180 million 2006 USD); the worst of the damage occurred in Atlantic City, though moderate damage extended from Cape May northward through Asbury Park.
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, strong winds from the hurricane downed several trees, and also damaged a train station along Broad Street.
President Theodore Roosevelt directly experienced the effects of the hurricane while vacationing on a yacht along Long Island. The yacht experienced gusty winds and heavy rainfall, along with rough seas. After the President was considered to be in danger, the yacht headed for land, and instead of embarking toward Ellis Island as originally planned, the yacht approached Brooklyn Navy Yard. No one onboard was injured. Rough waves sunk or severely damaged dozens of boats across coastal areas of New York, leaving dozens injured. Winds in New York City reached 65 mph (105 km/h), with tropical storm force winds extending into Maine. The outer moisture of the hurricane dropped 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain in Central Park, with its gusty winds causing damage to suburban houses and signs. The storm in New York City lasted 4 to 5 hours with its height occurring around 12:30PM.Numerous windows were smashed in Manhattan and horse drawn carriages were blown over. Homes in Brooklyn were flooded and sustained some damage such as chimneys, awnings blown down and some roofs taken off. Church Steeples were dislodged or blown off. In Brighton Beach the roof of the Ocean Hotel was completely blown off and a similar fate befell the top of the Steeplechase Tower in Coney Island resort area which sustained considerable damage. The hurricane also left businesses and the stock market quiet for the day, owing to the threat of blowing debris.
Read more about this topic: 1903 New Jersey Hurricane
Famous quotes containing the word impact:
“Too many existing classrooms for young children have this overriding goal: To get the children ready for first grade. This goal is unworthy. It is hurtful. This goal has had the most distorting impact on five-year-olds. It causes kindergartens to be merely the handmaidens of first grade.... Kindergarten teachers cannot look at their own children and plan for their present needs as five-year-olds.”
—James L. Hymes, Jr. (20th century)
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—Joshua Meyrowitz, U.S. educator, media critic. “The Blurring of Public and Private Behaviors,” No Sense of Place: The Impact of Electronic Media on Social Behavior, Oxford University Press (1985)
“If the federal government had been around when the Creator was putting His hand to this state, Indiana wouldn’t be here. It’d still be waiting for an environmental impact statement.”
—Ronald Reagan (b. 1911)