When and Where
In what year did the Surprise Hurricane strike?
1943
What kind of storm struck Texas in 1943?
Hurricane
What was the nickname or informal name for the 1947 Fort Lauderdale hurricane?
Hurricane surprise.
What happened to roads, bridges, and railways during the hurricane?
They were damaged or blocked
What nickname was given to the 1943 hurricane?
The Surprise Hurricane
Which U.S. state was hit by the Surprise Hurricane?
Texas
How fast were the winds during this storm?
Around 130 miles per hour
On what date did the 1947 hurricane make landfall near Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
September 17, 1943
What type of destruction affected homes and buildings during the hurricane?
Structural damage / destruction
Who was the pilot that flew into the hurricane to collect data?
Lt. Col. Joseph Duckworth
Near what coastal city did the hurricane make landfall?
Galveston
Over which body of water did the storm develop?
Gulf of Mexico
At landfall, what was the estimated sustained wind speed of the 1947 hurricane?
About 130 mph, making it a Category 4
What natural effect caused flooding in streets and neighborhoods?
Storm surge / heavy rainfall
During what major global conflict did this hurricane occur?
World War II
What major city inland from the coast also suffered heavy damage?
Houston
What scale is used to measure the strength of hurricanes?
Saffir–Simpson scale
What was the lowest barometric pressure recorded in Fort Lauderdale during the 1947 hurricane?
950.8 mb.
Besides buildings, what else was heavily affected by the hurricane?
Trees and crops
What pioneering first did this hurricane inspire in aviation?
The first airplane reconnaissance flight into a hurricane
During what global event did the Surprise Hurricane occur?
World War II
What method of hurricane study began because of this storm?
Airplane reconnaissance flights (Hurricane Hunters)
How far out from the eye did hurricane-force winds extend during the 1947 storm?
Up to 120 miles.
Approximately how many people were killed or injured in the hurricane?
At least 19 killed and dozens injured
Why did the public receive very little warning about this hurricane?
Wartime censorship of weather reports