Barbella
Senator
Pre–1900
In the 19th century, two hurricanes struck the coastline, each in 1804 and in 1821; both caused minor damage. The most significant storm of the century was the Gale of 1878, which produced hurricane force winds across western New Jersey. The hurricane caused severe damage and 11 deaths.
In the 19th century, two hurricanes struck the coastline, each in 1804 and in 1821; both caused minor damage. The most significant storm of the century was the Gale of 1878, which produced hurricane force winds across western New Jersey. The hurricane caused severe damage and 11 deaths.
- 1278–1438 – Though New Jersey hurricane history is unknown prior to initial European contact in 1524, sedimentary layers indicate a powerful hurricane hit the state's coastline during this time period.[2]
- October 9, 1804 – The Storm of October 1804 strikes near Atlantic City as a strong Category 2 or weak Category 3 hurricane, sinking or beaching many ships in the Mid–Atlantic. The hurricane later produces a snow storm in New England.[3]
- August 23, 1806 – A ship off Barnegat Island sinks during the 1806 Great Coastal hurricane, killing 21 people.[4]
- September 22, 1815 – The Great September Gale of 1815 causes heavy damage along the New Jersey coastline while remaining offshore, though exact totals are unknown.[5]
- August 9, 1817 – A tropical storm moves through the western portion of the state.[6]
- September 3, 1821 – The 1821 Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane hits near Cape May as a Category 4 hurricane. Accompanied by a five foot storm surge, damage is great in the small town, though is only moderate along the coastline due to the sparse population. No known deaths are associated with the hurricane in the state.[7]
- August 30, 1839 – A hurricane that remains offshore of the state forced the floating light in Sandy Hook to break loose and set adrift.[8]
- October 3, 1841 – A hurricane that remains offshore caused a mixture of rain and snow in New Brunswick.[9]
- October 13, 1846 – The Great Havana Hurricane of 1846 passes near or over the state, destroying many houses, downing many trees, and drowning several livestock.[10]
- July 18, 1850 – A tropical storm passes to the west of the state, causing heavy rain and crop damage in Burlington.[11]
- August 25, 1850 – A hurricane passes just south of Cape May, causing over 3 inches (8 cm) of rain in New Brunswick.[12]
- September 8, 1850 – A hurricane parallels the coastline offshore, causing high winds and 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) of rain in Newark.[13]
- September 28, 1861 – A strong tropical storm passes over the state, though its effects are unknown.[14]
- September 19, 1863 – A moderate tropical storm crosses the state, though its effects are unknown.[14]
- October 30, 1866 – A moderate tropical storm brushes the northeastern portion of the state before entering New York, though its effects are unknown.[14]
- October 26, 1872 – Approaching from Delaware, a tropical storm moves across New Jersey with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). Its effects are unknown.[14]
- August, 1873 – Though it never makes landfall on the United States, the Great Nova Scotia Cyclone approaches the state, prompting the U.S. Army Signal Corps to issue a hurricane warning from Cape May to New Haven, Connecticut.[15]
- September 29, 1874 – A tropical storm moves through the state, though its effects are unknown.[14]
- October 23, 1878 – The Gale of 1878 passes to the west of New Jersey, producing winds of up to 84 mph (136 km/h). Strong winds uproof around 150 houses in Camden, while telegraph lines and trees are downed across the state. In addition, many railroad lines are either washed out or blown over. The hurricane causes high tides and strong flooding, destroying several houses along the coastline. In all, the hurricane causes 8 deaths and severe damage.[16]
- September 12, 1882 – A tropical storm that passes to the south of the state causes strong winds and damage along the coastline.[17]
- September 24, 1882 – A weak tropical storm parallels the coastline and causes no known damage.[14]
- June 23, 1886 – A tropical depression crosses the state, causing no known damage.[14]
- September 10, 1889 - A hurricane stalls offshore the state and lashes the coastline with high winds, beach erosion, and severe storm tides.
- August 24, 1893 – A hurricane passes just east of the state and later makes landfall near New York City. The hurricane produces strong winds and rainfall along the coastline, though causes no known deaths.[18]
