Great Inagua Island, Bahamas' History with Tropical Systems

(br) = Brush (ts) = Tropical Storm (bd) = Back Door, meaning coming from over land from opposite coast. Not all names are noted. Also, storms before 1950 were not named. Not every stat on every storm description is given. (since 1871)

Great Inagua most likely to be hit by a hurricane between Sept7th and September 13th

Years within or near core

1874tsbr
1876tsbr
1878
1879tsbr
1879ts
1883
1885tsbr
1886ts
1887ts
1888m
1889ts
1896
1899m
1899ts
1900ts
1903ts
1905ts
1908
1908br
1926m
1926br
1927ts
1928ts
1928brm
1938ts
1945m
1949ts
1954
1955br
1960brm
1960ts
1963br
1979tsbr
1985
1987tsbr
1998br
2004ts
2007ts
2008ts
2008m
2010
2011
2016brm
2017m
2020
2024

46 times in 153 years (as of end of 2024)

Names from list above (I storms most likely to impact the area)

Hazel
Hilda
Donna
Florence
Flora
David
Kate
Emily
Georges
Jeanne
Noel
Hanna
Ike
Tomas
Irene
Matthew
Irma
Isaias
Oscar

Tropical Storm to Hurricane ratio

TS = 22, 47.83%
H = 24, 52.17%

only 20.45% of all tropical systems affecting Great Inagua are major hurricanes this includes brushes

Longest gap between storms

17 years 1908-1926

How often this area gets affected?

Brushed or hit every 3.33 years

Average years between direct hurricane hits. (hurricane force winds for at least a few hours)

Once every 9 years. (17 hits)

Average years between major hurricane hits.

Once every 25.5 years. (6 hits)

Average MPH of hurricane hits. (based on sustained winds from advisories, not gusts)

102 mph

Statistically when this area should be affected next

due Before the end of 2027

This is just a statistical average & does not mean the area will be affected by that year.

Last affected by

2024 October 20th tiny Hurricane Oscar hits with 80 mph winds while moving west-southwest

This area's hurricane history

1878 September 28th 80 mph from the south
1883 September 6th 80 mph from the southeast just south.
1888 September 3rd 115 mph just north from the east-southeast.
1896 September 3rd 95 mph from the east-southeast.
1899 August 10th 120 mph winds while moving west-northwest.
1908 September 11th, 105 mph from the southeast.
1926 July 25th 120 mph just north while moving northwest.
1945 September 14th 120 mph just north from the east-southeast.
1954 Hazel on October 13th was regaining strength to 100 mph in several hrs pressure 29.35 while moving north after hitting Haiti
1963 October 4th, Hurricane Flora sat over the island for quite some time 80 mph winds (damage extensive). NHC wallet
1985 November 11th, Hurricane Kate just north with 90 mph winds 35 miles to north while moving west minor damage here. NHC wallet
2008, September 7th Hurricane Ike left behind major destruction in Inagua. Ike is estimated to have had an intensity of 110 kt when it hit Great Inagua. "The situation is dire in Inagua," "There is widespread destruction." Prime Minister Ingraham emphasized that buildings and infrastructure can be replaced, but human life cannot and therefore there was much to be thankful for since no loss of life or serious injury had been reported. Matthew Town, Inagua, suffered extensive damages. He said the strong winds and torrential rains tore down a satellite communications system and there were many poles, utility lines and transformers that were leveled.The Mathew Town Police Station's shutters were blown away, causing water breach and flooding. The shutters of the St. Philips Community Center, which is also a shelter, were blown off. Zion Baptist Church - a second shelter - also sustained water damage.Approximately 70-80% of the houses on Great Inagua Island sustained roof damage, and 25% had major damage or were destroyedSat image of eye moving over island with Hurricane watch net audio | Ike model history | Aftermath video
2010 November 5th Hurricane Tomas passes just east while moving north-northeast with 75 mph winds. Tomas model history
2011 August 23rd Hurricane Irene passes just North while moving west-northwest with 110 mph winds. Irene model history
2017 September 8th Hurricane Irma hits just north by 30 miles and hits little Inagua Island with 155 mph winds while moving west. Morton Salt facory damaged. Best track data | NHC report
2020 July 31st Hurricane Isaias passes directly over while moving northwest with 80 mph winds. Radar animation (Brian McNoldy, Univ. of Miami, Rosenstiel School) Hit map
2024 October 20th tiny Hurricane Oscar hits with 80 mph winds while moving west-southwest

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Stat sources:

Text Sources:

"Divine Wind" by Kerry Emanuel
"Florida Hurricanes and Tropical Storms" by John M. Williams and Iver W. Duedall
"Florida's Hurricane History" by Jay Barnes
"Hurricane Almanac" by Bryan Norcross
HurricaneCity.com calculations by Jim Williams
"Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States" by Rick Schwartz
"Hurricane Watch" by Dr. Bob Sheets and Jack Williams
"Inside the Hurricane" by Pete Davies
"Isaac's Storm" by Erik Larson
"Killer 'Cane" by Robert Mykle
"Lunatic Wind" by William Price Fox
Miami Herald newspaper (microfilm)
"Path of Destruction" by John McQuaid and Mark Schleifstein
Sun Sentinel newspaper (microfilm)
"The Major Hurricanes To Affect The Bahamas" by Wayne Neely
"The Ship and the Storm" by Jim Carrier
Plus many more......