Rough surf and moderate winds from the hurricane capsized several ships along the East Coast of the United States; 30 people were left missing and presumed killed from a shipwreck in Chincoteague, Virginia.

In New York City, high winds disrupted traffic, closed businesses, and overturned wagons, with many windows and roofs damaged.

Its exact track and intensity is unknown, though it is estimated the storm attained hurricane status late on September 14 about 360 mi (580 km) west-southwest of Bermuda.

The hurricane steadily intensified as it curved northward, and attained an estimated peak intensity of 100 mph (160 km/h) late on September 15 about 110 mi (175 km) southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

The high winds near the center prompted the United States Weather Bureau to issue storm warnings on the morning of September 16 into the next day.

[4] Turning northward, the hurricane weakened slightly and made landfall near Atlantic City, New Jersey, shortly before 12:00 UTC on September 16.

[5][6] The storm structure broadened after landfall, and the Weather Bureau assessed one center splitting off and tracking north-northeastward into New York and Connecticut.

[12] Three barges and a steamer capsized in the Delaware Bay, while onshore, the winds of the hurricane destroyed the roofs of four houses in Laurel.

[16] High winds disrupted 800 telephone lines in Atlantic City, and most communications were cut from the Jersey Shore to the Philadelphia region.

[14] Initial damage reports were provided by trains,[17] although there were severe transportation delays due to ongoing flooding.

[17] The surf damaged or destroyed most fishing piers and oceanfront pavilions in the Atlantic City area, with tons of debris dispersed across the beach.

[17] The strong winds, combined with heavy rainfall, resulted in one indirect fatality when a man, unable to see owing to the hurricane, drove into a train in Cape May.

In New York, the outer periphery of the storm produced 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain in Central Park,[9] where dozens of trees were knocked down or damaged.

The rains and winds knocked down signs and awnings while wrecking dozens of windows, chimneys, and roofs, causing residents to evacuate buildings and damaging several storefronts.

In Brighton Beach, the roof of the Ocean Hotel was completely blown off, and a similar fate befell the top of the Steeplechase Tower in Coney Island resort area, which sustained considerable damage.

[24] A man attempting to row ashore near Point O' Woods required rescue amid strong winds.

[24] President Theodore Roosevelt directly experienced the effects of the hurricane while vacationing on the naval yacht Sylph along Long Island.

[27] The yacht experienced gusty winds and heavy rainfall,[10] along with rough seas, and witnessed a boat capsizing in Hell Gate.

[27] Farther north, high winds downed many trees along coastal Connecticut, which cut telegraph and telephone lines in Bridgeport.