The first of three recorded tropical cyclones recorded in the 1821 Atlantic hurricane season, the storm that would eventually strike New York was first observed off the southeast United States coast on September 1, with winds estimated in excess of 135 mph (215 km/h). It moved ashore near Wilmington, North Carolina, and passed near Norfolk, Virginia before moving through the Delmarva Peninsula and New Jersey just inland.
Late on September 2, the hurricane made landfall near Wilmington, North Carolina and later turned to the northeast to cross the Pamlico Sound. In North Carolina, a powerful storm surge flooded large portions of Portsmouth Island; residents estimated the island would have been completely under water had the worst of the storm lasted for two more hours. Strong winds occurred across eastern North Carolina, resulting in at least 76 destroyed houses. Numerous people were killed in Currituck.
On September 3 at least 7 vessels were destroyed in the Ocracoke/Portsmouth area; The Susan, en route to Baltimore from Ocracoke under Captain Thomas, was driven ashore and lost; the schooner Milo, en route to New Bern under Captain Fisher. Cargo of claret wine and molasses was lost; the schooner John Burney bilged and was totally lost; the Federalist, under the command of Captain Luther (home port Washington) was a total loss. Crew was saved; the Emeline, under Captain Caruther, ran ashore in the breakers while trying to put to sea and was totally lost; the Olive Branch and John Wallace also sank at Ocracoke.
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