text: hurricane baker ( 1950 ) hurricane baker was a major hurricane that affected the leeward islands , greater antilles , and the gulf coast of the united states . the tropical cyclone was the second intense hurricane , second hurricane , and second tropical storm of the 1950 atlantic hurricane season . hurricane baker attained peak winds of 120 mph ( 195 km / h ) near the leeward islands , traversed antigua , and weakened to a tropical depression southwest of puerto rico . it re - intensified south of cuba , strengthened to a strong category 2 hurricane in the gulf of mexico , and hit the united states near gulf shores , alabama , with winds of 85 mph ( 140 km / h ) . hurricane baker produced extensive damage in the lesser antilles and cuba , but impacts were minimal in the united states . meteorological history on the morning of august 20 , a strong tropical storm developed about 446 miles ( 718 km ) east of basse - terre , guadeloupe . the tropical storm deepened to hurricane intensity . on august 21 , it rapidly attained maximum sustained winds of 120 mph ( 195 km / h ) , equivalent to a category 3 hurricane . the hurricane passed over antigua during the evening , while still producing winds of 115 mph ( 185 km / h ) . on august 22 , it lost intensity and weakened to a tropical storm . on august 23 , baker made landfall near the puerto rican town of guánica as a minimal tropical storm . the highest winds on the island of puerto rico were 35 – 40 mph ( 55 – 65 km / h ) . the storm then degenerated into an easterly tropical wave , and moved west - northwestward over northeastern hispaniola . on august 24 , it re - entered the atlantic ocean , and tropical depression baker crossed the coast of eastern cuba early on the next day . on august 25 , baker redeveloped a center over the caribbean sea off southern cuba , and re - intensified to tropical storm status . on august 27 , baker affected the pinar del río province with 60 mph ( 75 km / h ) winds , and then turned northward over the southern gulf of mexico . on august 28 , baker re - strengthened to hurricane intensity ; reconnaissance and ship reports suggest the hurricane attained a second peak intensity of 110 mph ( 175 km / h ) on august 30 . the minimum central pressure was 979 mbar ( 28 . 92 inhg ) on this date . the cyclone diminished in intensity prior to landfall . on august 31 , the hurricane struck gulf shores , alabama as a category 1 hurricane with sustained winds estimated near 85 mph ( 140 km / h ) . the estimated central pressure at landfall was 980 mbar ( 28 . 95 inhg ) . baker moved inland over alabama and dissipated over southeastern missouri on september 1 . impact on antigua , the pan american airways station 's power failed when winds reached 85 mph ( 140 km / h ) around midnight on august 22 . unofficial estimates placed winds between 95 – 120 mph ( 150 – 195 km / h ) at the location , although damages and casualties were unknown . subsequent reports indicated light damage occurred on the island ; later , information from the island indicated extensive damage . more than 100 homes were destroyed or damaged in the willkie and piggott areas , and large homes were destroyed in . additionally , a manse was also demolished in . electronic communications were dismantled , and thousands of homeless people sheltered in churches and schools . no deaths occurred on the island , but damages were expected to reach several thousand dollars . in cuba , 37 people died , and the property losses reached several million dollars . in the united states , the greatest property and crop damage occurred from mobile , alabama to saint marks , florida , where losses approached $ 2 , 550 , 000 ( 1950 usd ) ; high tides and winds inflicted minimal damage in both cities . panama city , florida incurred heavy damage to homes and businesses from high tides and rainfall , which peaked at 14 . 96 inches ( 380 mm ) . the highest rainfall total was 15 . 49 inches ( 393 mm ) at , florida . peak gusts exceeded 100 mph ( 155 km / h ) on santa rosa island , florida . 200 to 300 cottages received damage in panama city , and homes were flooded near the bay . losses reached $ 200 , 000 ( 1950 usd ) in gulf shores , alabama . hurricane baker spawned two tornadoes . on august 30 , a f1 tornado touched down in apalachicola , florida , destroying four dwellings and a store building and damaging another eleven buildings . on august 31 , a f0 tornado demolished one building near marianna , florida , in jackson county . inland , birmingham international airport recorded 50 mph ( 85 km / h ) wind gusts ; higher gusts were estimated near 75 mph ( 120 km / h ) in elevated , mountainous locations . hundreds of trees were prostrated as far north as the birmingham , alabama area , and one person was killed and two more injured by live wires falling from utility poles .