The World of 1898: The Spanish-American War (Hispanic Division, Library of Congress)
1898 HOME > Hurricane San Ciriaco
Path over Puerto Rico
Path of Hurricane San Ciriaco over the island of Puerto Rico.
Davis, p. 612.
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Hurricane San Ciriaco

On August 8, 1899, Puerto Rico experienced one of the most destructive hurricanes in history. It rained for 28 days straight and the winds reached speeds of 100 miles per hour. The loss of life and property damage were immense. Approximately 3,400 people died in the floods and thousands were left without shelter, food, or work.

Hurricane damage
The results of the hurricane.
Davis, p. 612.
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The most devastating effect of San Ciriaco was the destruction of the farmlands, especially in the mountains where the coffee plantations were located. San Ciriaco aggravated the social and economic situation of Puerto Rico at the time and had serious repercussions in the years that followed.

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