[BARC-List] Hurricanes of NE

[Dan Malloy]

Hello to all,
     Getting close to Skywarn Appreciation Day, and the end of the 
hurricane season, so here are some (in)famous hurricanes that have 
struck the region.

NEW ENGLAND HURRICANES OF NOTE



Although the approaching Hurricane Season in New England is defined as 
June 1st through November 30th, the vast majority of the 40 tropical 
systems that have impacted our region over the past century have struck 
during the months of August and September. Because Massachusetts is such 
a relatively small state, it is important to realize that these are not 
just 'coastal events', but, in fact, everyone in the Commonwealth can be 
severely impacted by a major storm.

"New England is in the unenviable position of receiving all three types 
of Hurricane Threats," states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency 
Director Cristine McCombs. "Depending upon the storm's track and 
landfall location, we can experience coastal inundation from storm 
surge, widespread inland river flooding, and widespread wind damage."

To best prepare ourselves for the future, it is important to revisit the 
past, and examine a dozen of the most notable New England Hurricanes and 
their catastrophic impact upon our region.

The Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635 August 25, 1635 This was the first 
historical record of an intense hurricane striking New England. The 
highest winds have been estimated at Category 3 or greater, with winds 
of 115-plus mph. The storm's eye passed between Boston and Plymouth 
causing at least 46 casualties. A 20-foot tidal surge was reported in 
Boston, ruining farms throughout the area. Reports from Governor William 
Bradford describing the drowning of dozens of Native Americans, the 
toppling of thousands of trees and the flattening of houses suggest that 
this storm possessed even greater intensity than the storms of 1815 and 
1938. The Great September Gale of 1815 September 23, 1815 This storm was 
the first major hurricane to impact New England in 180 years. It 
initiated in the West Indies, growing to a Category 3 with winds of 135 
mph. After crossing Long Island, New York, the storm came ashore at 
Saybrook, Connecticut, funneling an11-foot storm surge up Narragansett 
Bay. There, it destroyed 500 houses, 35 ships and flooded Providence, 
Rhode Island. Impacting Central and Coastal Massachusetts, 'The Great 
Gale' destroyed the bridge over the Neponset River, connecting 
Dorchester and Milton, Massachusetts. At least 38 deaths have been 
attributed to this disaster.

The September Gale of 1869 September 8, 1869 A Category 3, this 
'September Gale' was first observed in the Bahamas.It ultimately made 
landfall in Rhode Island just west of Buzzards Bay, dissipating in 
Northern Maine. This storm was very compact, but intense. It was 
reported to have been only 60 miles wide, but it caused extensive damage 
in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine. Fortunately, its arrival 
coincided with low tide lessening the storm surge and resulting damage.

The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 September 21, 1938 This Category 
5, which has also been dubbed "The Long Island Express", was first 
detected in the Tropical Atlantic. As it slowly moved northward, it 
suddenly accelerated to a forward motion of 60 to 70 mph, when it was 
100 miles east of North Carolina. Without warning, it made landfall as a 
Category 3, during an astronomically high tide along Long Island, New 
York and the Connecticut coast. The Blue Hill Observatory, outside of 
Boston, measured sustained winds of 121 mph, with gusts of 183 mph. 
Storm surges of 10 to 12 feet inundated portions of the coast from Long 
Island to Southeastern Massachusetts, most notably in Narragansett Bay 
and Buzzards Bay. Heavy rains of 3" to 6" produced severe flooding, 
particularly in areas of Western Massachusetts and along the Connecticut 
River. Downtown Providence, Rhode Island was impacted by a 20-foot storm 
surge. Sections of the Towns of Falmouth and Truro on Cape Cod were 
under 8 feet of water. The widespread destruction resulting from this 
storm included 600 deaths and 1,700 injuries. Over $400 million in 
damage occurred, including 9,000 homes and businesses lost and 15,000 
damaged. Damage to the Southern New England fishing fleet was 
catastrophic, as over 6,000 vessels were either destroyed or severely 
damaged.

The Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 September 14-15, 1944 Sometimes 
compared to the Great Hurricane of 1938, this storm was first detected 
northeast of the Lesser Antilles. From there, it hugged the United 
States coast, crossing Long Island, New York, the Rhode Island Coast, 
emerged into Massachusetts Bay and impacted Maine. With 140 mph winds, 
this Category 4, produced hurricane force winds over a diameter of 600 
miles causing over $100 million damage. 70-foot high waves were also 
reported. Up to 11" of rain fell in areas of New England. 390 deaths, 
mostly at sea, were attributed to this hurricane. It wreaked havoc on 
World War II shipping, sinking a U.S. Navy destroyer and cutter, as well 
as two U.S. Coast Guard cutters.

Hurricane Dog September 11-12, 1950 A strong Category 5, Hurricane Dog 
reached a peak intensity of 185 mph. First observed east of the Lesser 
Antilles on August 30th, this was a major hurricane that never actually 
made landfall, passing within 200 miles of Cape Cod. However, it was 
responsible for the deaths of at least a dozen fishermen off the New 
England coast. It also caused about $3 million damage. To this day, it 
retains the record for the longest continuous duration for a Category 5 
Atlantic Hurricane of 60 hours, from September 5th through September 
8th. 'Dog" also fluctuated between Category 4 & 5 strength on four 
different occasions, which is also a record.

Hurricane Carol August 31, 1954 This compact, but powerful Category 2 
battered New England, killing 68. With 100 mph winds, gusting up to 
135mph, 'Carol' caused over $461 million in damage, destroying 4,000 
homes, 3,500 cars, and over 3,000 boats. This was arguably the most 
destructive storm to hit Southern New England since 1938. It formed as a 
tropical storm near the Bahamas, making brief landfall along the Outer 
Banks of North Carolina. The storm passed over Long Island, New York, 
through Central New England into Canada, bringing a storm surge of 14.4 
feet to Narragansett Bay and New Bedford Harbor. Over 6" of rain fell. 
Water depths reached 12 feet in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. Some 
consider 'Carol' the worst storm in the history of Cape Cod. All of 
Rhode Island, much of Eastern Connecticut, and much of Eastern 
Massachusetts lost power, with a 95% loss of telephone service. The name 
'Carol' has been retired.

Hurricane Edna September 11, 1954 'Edna' arrived right on the heels of 
Hurricane Carol. It formed off of Barbados, reaching Category 3 strength 
at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, with its highest winds of 120 mph. 
Before striking New England, its eye split into two different ones, up 
to 60 miles apart at times, moving over Cape Cod & the Islands where 
peak gusts were recorded at 120 mph. Its eastern track, which resulted 
in heavy rain and major inland flooding, adding 5" to 7" of rain to 
Carol's previous 6". The storm was responsible for 29 deaths and $40 
million damage. Ultimately, it made landfall near Eastport, Maine, 
becoming one of Maine's worst-ever hurricanes. The name 'Edna' has been 
retired.

Hurricane Diane August 17-19, 1955 Born in the tropical Atlantic, this 
storm reached Category 3 status, as it followed the path of Hurricane 
Connie of 5 days earlier. Maximum winds were recorded at 120 mph. 
Although it weakened to a Tropical Storm as it reached the Southern New 
England coast, 'Diane' dropped heavy rain of 10" to 20", setting flood 
records throughout the region. The storm was blamed for between 185 and 
200 deaths. The $832 million damage qualified it as the most costly 
hurricane in U.S. history until Hurricane Betsy in 1965. The name 
'Diana' has been retired.

Hurricane Donna September 12, 1960 Hurricane Donna was a Category 5 Cape 
Verde-type hurricane that impacted most of the Caribbean Islands and 
every single state on the U.S. Eastern seaboard. It recorded 160 mph 
winds with gusts up to 200 mph. 'Donna' holds the record for retaining 
'major hurricane' status of Category 3 or better in the Atlantic basin 
for the longest period of time. From September 2nd to September 11th it 
sustained winds of 115 mph as it roamed the Atlantic for 17 days. This 
storm is the only one on record to produce hurricane-force winds in 
Florida, the Mid-Atlantic States and New England. 'Donna' hit New 
England in Southeast Connecticut with sustained winds of 100 mph, 
gusting to 125-130 mph, cutting diagonally through the region to Maine. 
It produced pockets of 4" to 8"of rain as well as 5 to 10-foot storm 
surges. The storm ultimately killed 364, and caused over $500 million in 
damage. The name 'Donna' has been retired.

Hurricane Gloria September 27, 1985 Hurricane Gloria was a powerful 
Category 4 Cape Verde-type storm that prowled the Atlantic for 13 days, 
with highest winds of 145 mph. Hugging the coastline, as it made its way 
north, 'Gloria' crossed Long Island, New York, making landfall at 
Milford, Connecticut. In spite of arriving during low tide, it did cause 
severe beach erosion along the New England coast, as well as the loss of 
many piers and coastal roads. There was a moderate storm surge of 6.8 
feet in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The storm left over 2,000,000 people 
without power. It dropped up to 6" of rain in Massachusetts, causing 
many flooding issues in the region. Overall, casualties were relatively 
low with 8 deaths, but damage reached $900 million. The name 'Gloria' 
has been retired.

Hurricane Bob August 19, 1991 Formed east of the Bahamas, Hurricane Bob 
made landfall in New England near New Bedford, Massachusetts with 115 
mph winds, cutting a path across Southeastern Massachusetts towards the 
Gulf of Maine. Peak winds of 125 mph were recorded in the Towns of 
Brewster and Truro on Cape Cod.

Over 60% of the residents of Southeastern Massachusetts and Southeastern 
Rhode Island lost power. There were 4 different reports of tornados as 
'Bob' came ashore. Buzzards Bay saw a 10 to 15-foot storm surge. A 
number of south-facing beaches on the islands of Nantucket and Martha's 
Vineyard lost 50 feet of beach to erosion. Up to 7" of rain was reported 
to have fallen throughout New England. 'Bob' was blamed for 18 
storm-related deaths. The damage total for Southern New England was set 
at $1 billion, with $2.5 billion overall damage from the storm. The name 
'Bob' has been retired.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is the state agency 
responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and 
private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for 
effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency 
personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; 
and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate 
against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both 
natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and 
Hurricane Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema 
<http://www.mass.gov/mema>.

HURRICANE NAMES The word "Hurricane" is derived from the Carib term for 
"God of Evil".

In the West Indies hurricanes were originally named after the Saint upon 
whose holyday the storm occurred. Until 1953, the custom was to refer to 
storms by their year or location i.e.: "The Hurricane of 1938" or "The 
Galveston Hurricane of 1900". In that year, the National Hurricane 
Center began using female names, in alphabetical order. In 1979, 
alternating both male and female names began. As listed below, six 
rotating lists of names are utilized for Atlantic Tropical Cyclones. An 
international committee of the World Meteorological Organization decides 
at the conclusion of each hurricane season if the name of an extremely 
deadly or costly storm should be retired and replaced on the list. As we 
saw in 2005, once the 21 Tropical Cyclone names are used up, additional 
storms take their names from the letters of the Greek alphabet: Alpha, 
Beta, etc.