Wikipedia:Today's featured article/January 27, 2009



Hurricane Dog was the most intense hurricane in the 1950 Atlantic hurricane season. The fourth named storm of the season, Dog developed on August 30 to the east of Antigua, and after passing through the northern Lesser Antilles turned to the north and intensified into a Category 5 hurricane. Dog reached its peak intensity of 185 mph (295 km/h) over the open Atlantic, and after weakening passed within 200 miles (320 km) of Cape Cod before becoming extratropical on September 12. Hurricane Dog caused extensive damage to the Leeward Islands, and was considered the most severe hurricane on record in Antigua. Many buildings were destroyed or severely damaged on the island, with thousands left homeless just weeks after Hurricane Baker had caused serious damage on the island. In the United States, the hurricane caused moderate coastal damage, including damaging several boats and causing 11 offshore drownings. Strong winds caused widespread power outages across southeastern New England. Damage across its path totaled about $3 million (1950 USD, $25.7 million 2007 USD). (more...)

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