1935 Yankee hurricane

The 1935 Yankee hurricane was a rare Atlantic hurricane that afflicted the Bahamas and South Florida in November, with its heaviest impact befalling the Miami metropolitan area. It was one of two hurricanes to make landfall on Florida in 1935, following a devastating cyclone in September, and one of only a few intense storms to strike the state from the northeast. The seventh tropical cyclone and fifth hurricane of the annual season, it developed east of Bermuda on October 30, in an area not usually known for hurricane formation. A day later it strengthened into a hurricane, initially posing a threat to the Carolinas, but subsequently turned southwest and south, confounding forecasters. Tracking parabolically, it attained its peak intensity of 105 mph (165 km/h) on November 3, and shortly afterward its small inner core lashed the northern Bahamas with hurricane-force winds, causing moderate damage—mostly to shipping—and 14 fatalities in the island chain.

The following day it veered more to the west, striking the contiguous United States just north of Miami Beach at a slightly lower intensity. In Florida the storm's peak winds cut a 30-mile (48 km) swath below Fort Lauderdale, causing the worst damage to the area since the 1926 Miami hurricane. Wind gusts of 130 mph (210 km/h) swept Miami and adjourning cities, unroofing well-constructed buildings and razing hundreds of flimsy houses. Besides the strong winds, prolific rainfall, flash floods, and high tides combined to damage coastal installations, ships, and crops. Casualties from the storm—limited to nine fatalities and mostly mild injuries—were fairly low, due in part to precautionary measures such as advance warnings and building codes. Its unparalleled route toward Florida and late arrival earned it the nickname Yankee hurricane, making it one of only three November hurricanes to strike Florida, behind Kate in 1985 and Nicole in 2022.