How strong were the winds?
Wind speeds measured as high as 100 mph before the wind gauge blew away. Isaac Cline, chief local forecaster, in his report to the U.S. Weather Service, reported estimated winds up to 120 mph which is considered the accepted wind speed. A copy of his report to the United States Weather Bureau as it appears in our Subject File is found here in the Cline report. This hurricane could be classified as a Category 3 or 4 hurricane by today’s standards. According to the National Weather Service web site for storm classifications, the 1900 Storm wind speed places it as a Category 3. However, the storm surge, being 15 feet, places it as a Category 4. Check out the National Weather Service chart for a guide.
