The 1944 Cuba–Florida hurricane (also known as the Pinar del Río Hurricane of 1944 and 1944 Havana Hurricane) was a large, intense Category 4 hurricane that affected western Cuba and Florida. The eleventh tropical cyclone, seventh hurricane, and third major hurricane of the season developed over the southern Caribbean Sea on October 12. It intensified to a hurricane on October 13, attained its peak on October 17, and struck Pinar del Río with gusts in excess of 160 mph (260 km/h). The hurricane accelerated, and it struck southwest Florida near Sarasota on October 19. It diminished to a tropical storm, briefly exited over water off southeast Georgia, and moved inland near Savannah on October 20. It became extratropical over southeastern Virginia on October 21. The late-season October storm