1830s Atlantic hurricane seasons
During the 1830s, the Atlantic basin produced many hurricanes that affected widespread areas—from the Caribbean islands and Florida to the U.S. East Coast, Bermuda, and beyond. Records from the era are incomplete, but enough information exists to show a pattern: most storms formed from June through November, and several years saw powerful hurricanes carving long tracks across the sea.
Notable storms of the decade
- The Great Barbados–Louisiana Hurricane of 1831 (August 10–17)
A very strong hurricane left catastrophic damage across the Caribbean and into the Gulf. It struck Barbados, destroying Bridgetown and much of the island’s sugar plantations, with about 1,500–2,500 deaths there. It also affected Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia, Martinique, and later Cuba, Florida, and Louisiana. The storm helped scientists confirm that hurricanes are rotating wind systems.
- Padre Ruiz Hurricane of 1834 (September 20–23)
This powerful storm hit Dominica and then the Dominican Republic, causing heavy damage and about 400 deaths.
- The Antigua–Florida–Gulf of Mexico–Rio Grande Hurricane of 1835 (August 12–18)
The hurricane moved from Antigua through Puerto Rico and Cuba into the Gulf, causing extensive damage along its path into the southwestern U.S. coast.
- Racer’s Hurricane of 1835 (late September–October)
One of the century’s most destructive storms, it began in the Caribbean, moved across the Yucatán and the Gulf, and struck far inland from Texas to the Carolinas. It caused many deaths (at least 105) and widespread destruction, influencing maritime safety laws after a paddle steamer disaster near Cape Hatteras.
- Key West Hurricane of 1835 (September 15–19)
This storm battered Key West, damaging lighthouses and coastal infrastructure as it moved up the coast.
- Antigua–Florida storms of 1837 (August 1–7) and related systems
A hurricane passed near Antigua, then tracked toward Florida and the southeastern coast, with effects felt as far north as the Carolinas.
- The Calypso Hurricane (August 13–20, 1837)
A storm that crossed the Caribbean and Bahamas, then recurved up the coast past North Carolina, bringing strong winds and long-lasting effects.
- The Apalachee Bay Storm (August 31–September 2, 1837)
A hurricane that struck near Apalachee Bay, Florida, and moved offshore along the Carolinas.
- The Bahamas Hurricane of 1837 (mid-September)
A storm forming near the Bahamas moved northeast and brought heavy winds and rain across the region, affecting parts of Florida.
- Reid’s Hurricane (September 7–14, 1839)
One of the era’s best-documented storms, it formed east of the West Indies and moved into the southwest Atlantic, striking Bermuda with severe winds and a large storm surge. It also reached Newfoundland later, providing important data for early hurricane science.
- The Atlantic Coast Hurricane of 1839 (August 23–September 1)
A major hurricane that hit the U.S. East Coast, including Charleston, South Carolina, and parts of the mid-Atlantic before moving out to sea.
- Other late-season and coastal storms
The decade also saw numerous tropical storms and smaller hurricanes impacting places like South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, Barbados, Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. Some storms caused limited damage, while others produced significant loss of life and property.
Overall, the 1830s featured frequent and powerful hurricanes that traveled from the Caribbean into the Gulf and up the Atlantic coast, with Bermuda and parts of Canada feeling the effects as well. These storms helped early scientists understand hurricane behavior and prompted safety measures that influenced maritime and coastal practices for years to come.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 09:28 (CET).