Gale of 1878

The Gale of 1878 was an intense Category 2 hurricane which caused extensive damage from Cuba to New England in October 1878. Believed to be the strongest storm to hit the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore region since hurricane records began in 1851, the system is known to have existed as a cyclone by October 18, then located near Jamaica. Drifting northwestward, the system slowly strengthened, reaching hurricane status on October 20. Early the next day, the cyclone struck western Cuba, likely at Category 2 hurricane status. Turning northeastward and emerging into the Straits of Florida, the hurricane, then a Category 1, passed just east of Florida on October 22. The cyclone re-intensified into a Category 2 hurricane early on October 23 shortly before making landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h). The hurricane raced across the interior of the United States until becoming extratropical and merging with a cold front over New York late on October 23.

Cuba experienced hurricane-force winds and heavy rains as far east as Cienfuegos, causing damage and some loss of life. The hurricane beached more than a dozen vessels along the east coast of Florida, while Key West recorded wind gusts up to 54 mph (87 km/h). Georgia and South Carolina reported only minor impacts. Many ships sank along the coast of North Carolina, which led to four deaths and at least $200,000 (1878 USD) in damage after the steamer City of Houston was lost. A total of 21 people died in Virginia, all due to shipwrecks, with 19 people killed when a ship, the A.S. Davis, was driven ashore at Virginia Beach. Severe damage occurred in coastal Virginia, including to life-saving stations, while the storm completely submerged Cobb and Smith islands. Washington, D.C., and several states farther north reported many downed trees and telegraph wires, damaged crops, and unroofed buildings, as well as five deaths in Maryland, eighteen in Delaware, twelve in Pennsylvania, eight in New Jersey, and two in Connecticut. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, alone, the hurricane destroyed at least 700 buildings and toppled almost 50 church spires. Damage throughout the state reached $2.14 million. Overall, the storm caused over 71 fatalities and more than $2.45 million in damage.