1870 Atlantic Hurricane Season - Season Summary

Season Summary

The Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT) recognizes eleven tropical cyclones for the 1870 season. Ten storms attained hurricane status, with winds of 75 mph (119 km/h) or greater.Of the eleven Atlantic cyclones known for 1870 only three made landfall. Although Hurricane One caused damage in Alabama, the storm centre may not have crossed the coastline. Hurricane Nine made landfalls in both Cuba and Florida.Hurricane Two and Tropical Storm Three were both active in the first week of September but neither made landfall,although Hurricane Two did come close to the Newfoundland coastline.Later that month two more hurricanes were seen in the western Atlantic.Hurricane Four was an intense category three cyclone while Hurricane Five was a weaker category one storm.More notable was Hurricane Six.This hurricane, known as the Hurricane of San Marcos or the Straits of Florida Hurricane, caused massive flooding in Cuba and south Florida, resulting in 2,000 casualties and at least $12million in damages.Hurricanes Seven and Eight were also active in the first half of October, both in the mid-Atlantic.Hurricane Nine made landfalls in both Cuba and Florida and was responsible for some 52 deaths.Hurricane Ten was sighted on October 23 near the Turks and Caicos Islands.The last cyclone of the year, Hurricane Eleven made landfall in Belize.