The 1932 San Ciprián hurricane was a powerful Category 4 tropical cyclone that caused catastrophic damage in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in late September 1932. It is named after the feast day of Saint Cyprian (San Ciprián), which falls on September 26, the day the storm made landfall in Puerto Rico.
Meteorological History The system originated as a tropical storm east of the Leeward Islands on September 25. Moving west-northwestward, it rapidly intensified into a major hurricane. On September 26, the eye passed over the islands of Vieques and Culebra before crossing the main island of Puerto Rico from southeast to northwest. The storm exited into the Atlantic Ocean on September 27 and continued to intensify, reaching peak sustained winds estimated at 150 mph (240 km/h), making it a high-end Category 4 on the modern Saffir–Simpson scale. It eventually recurved northeastward and became extratropical on October 1.
Impact
- Puerto Rico: The hurricane caused widespread devastation across the island. The lowest recorded pressure was 27.50 inches of mercury (931 mb) at Arroyo. Official reports listed 225 fatalities, though some historical estimates range higher. Property damage was estimated at $35–40 million (1932 USD), with catastrophic losses to the coffee and citrus industries. An estimated 200,000 people were left homeless.
- U.S. Virgin Islands: The islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix experienced severe wind damage and storm surge. Significant damage was reported to infrastructure, shipping, and agriculture.
- Elsewhere: The storm produced rough seas and gusty winds across the Leeward Islands and the Bahamas but did not make another direct landfall at peak intensity.
Significance The 1932 San Ciprián hurricane is historically significant as one of the most intense and destructive hurricanes to strike Puerto Rico in the 20th century, alongside the 1928 San Felipe Segundo hurricane and 1998 Hurricane Georges. It led to major changes in building codes and disaster preparedness planning in the territory. The name "San Ciprián" follows the Puerto Rican tradition of naming hurricanes after the saint's day on which they strike.
