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The Beginning
Hurricane early warning systems in the U.S. began with a decision by President William McKinley in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. The president, who claimed he feared hurricanes more than the Spanish Navy, ordered construction of a series of manned weather stations in the West Indies. These stations formed a network--with one main problem: The only way to communicate the warning of an impending hurricane to the mainland was by ship.
Coastal Warning Display Towers
Coastal warning display towers were placed along the coast and provided information for ships from their installation until the system was retired in 1989. Pennants, or flags, flew during the day, and lights provided warnings at night. Three warnings were issued: small craft warning, gale and hurricane warning. Although the program is retired, flags still fly at certain locations to provide ships with storm warnings.
Communication
The value of early warning systems took a big step forward with improved communication. Wireless telegraphs became available around 1910, and the 1920s saw the development of radio. The weather stations now had the means of getting information out quickly to the population. In 1928, the teletype replaced the telegraph and telephone as the primary means of reporting weather data.
Aircraft
The first use of aircraft as part of an early warning system came in 1943. Regular use of aircraft began in the late 1940s, with planes flying into hurricanes to record data such as wind speed and direction and barometric pressure. Aircraft known as hurricane hunters continue today and provide vital information for early warnings.