The great hurricane 1938

On the afternoon of september 21st, 1938, a storm as yet surpassed in hurricane lore, hit southern new england. Vintage postcard the great new england hurricane 1938 springfield mass. The system developed off the cape verde islands around september 4, 1938. The great hurricane, 1938 is a spellbinding hourbyhour reconstruction of one of the most destructive and powerful storms ever to hit the united states. Sep 20, 20 about 700 people died 75 years ago when the storm known variously as the great new england hurricane of 1938 or the long island express began plowing up the northeast coastline at 2. On the night of september 21,1938, news on the radio was full o.

That afternoon, 80 years ago friday, the great hurricane of 1938 struck unannounced and with such force as to register on seismographs in alaska. The tropical storm began to form off of the coast of cape verde, africa somewhere between september 9 and 10th of 1938, and quickly became a category 5 hurricane. The great new england hurricane of 1938 was one of the most destructive and powerful storms ever to strike southern new england. Black and white photographs from the fsaowi, 19351945, which is part of the american memory collections at the website of the library of congress. Richard mather and anthony thacher had the misfortune of being on board ships that day. Compared to the great hurricane of 1938, the perfect storm was a small squall. Southeastern united states, northeastern united states particularly connecticut, new york, rhode island, and massachusetts, southwestern quebec. Presentation in narragansett details destruction of the. However, it was mainly known as the new england hurricane of 1938. The hurricane, often referred to as the long island express, due to.

The storm developed near the cape verde islands on september 9, tracking across the atlantic and up the eastern seaboard. Long islanders and new englanders have always spoken of the event, long before hurricanes were named by the government, as the great hurricane of 1938. The great hurricane of 1938 history channel part 1 of 8. The 1938 hurricane was the worst natural disaster in american history a gale that wreaked more death and havoc than either the great chicago fire or the san francisco earthquake. A look back at the disastrous great new england hurricane of 1938. New england hurricane of 1938 oder great new england hurricane oder oft long island.

Few paid attention to the storm barreling up the coast. But what few people realize is that the spectacular blazing colors from our hardwood forests are the result of the great hurricane of 1938, which brought 100. With riveting detail, burns weaves together the countless personal stories of loved ones lost and lives changed forever from those of the moore family, washed to sea on a raft formerly their attic floor, to katharine hepburn, holed up in her connecticut mansion, watching her car take to the air like a bit of paper. Hurricane of 1938 the wind that shook the world new. The great hurricane of 1938 slammed into long island and rhode island, killing 564 in southern new england. Few people, if anyone, knew that the most severe hurricane in southern new england history, known as the long island express or the great new england hurricane of. Jul, 2014 yet for old timers in town, sandy couldnt hold a candle to the big one the great new england hurricane of 1938 the hurricane of 1938 hit the greenwich area on sept. Mather, father to increase mather and grandfather to cotton mather, had been suspended by the church of england for failing to. The great hurricane of 1938, which hit on september 21, was the first major hurricane to strike new england since 1869.

When it reached long island it was a powerful category 3, on september. Sixtyfive years ago today, what has become know as the great hurricane of 1938 hit the state, leaving 90. The great new england hurricane of 1938 cat 3 september 21, 1938 the great new england hurricane of 1938 was one of the most destructive and powerful storms ever to strike southern new england. Sep 21, 2018 few people, if anyone, knew that the most severe hurricane in southern new england history, known as the long island express or the great new england hurricane of 1938, was about to strike. The great hurricane of 1938 is a fascinating quick read that will have you scratching your head and wondering why this story hasnt been told in print or on film previously. If the 1938 storm occurred today, it would be a major catastrophe for the region, said the. Longshore current disrupted and sand begins to be trapped in the bay. Seventy years ago, new england was struck by the most destructive hurricane in its history. The great new england hurricane remains the storm to which all new england storms are compared. Hurricane sandys predecessor, the great hurricane of 1938. In october 1780, a powerful storm slammed the islands of the caribbean, killing more than 20,000 people. Yes there have been hurricanes since then, but for many, the 1938 storm is the.

The great hurricane of 1938 in photos the weather channel. May 06, 2016 the great new england hurricane of 1938 was one of the most destructive and powerful storms ever to strike southern new england. The storm formed near the coast of africa in september of the 1938 atlantic hurricane season, becoming a category 5 hurricane on the saffir. Inaccurate weather forecasts left residents unprepared. Over the next 24 hours, it moved through new england causing incredible damage throughout those states to crops, trees, and livestock. Great atlantic hurricane 1944 this large and powerful hurricane was first detected northeast of the leeward islands on september 9. Making landfall with horrific fury and 129 mph winds, the eye of the storm slammed into long islands. The 1938 new england hurricane also referred to as the great new england hurricane, long island express, and yankee clipper was one of the deadliest and most destructive tropical cyclones to strike long island, new york, and new england. The great hurricane of 1938 was accompanied by strong winds that reached over 100mph. August 19, 1991, hurricane bob category 2 brushed the eastern tip of long island and moved into southeastern new england. To tell you the truth, i didnt know a thing about this hurricane, so i learned a lot. The great hurricane of 1938 history channel part 1 of.

The 1938 new england hurricane was one of the deadliest and most destructive tropical cyclones to strike long island, new york, and new england. Jul 28, 2019 also called the long island express, the great new england hurricane of 1938 was the most destructive storm to strike the region in the 20th century. A stormsurge wave estimated to be nearly 50 feet in height obliterated 40. It remains the deadliest and most powerful hurricane to ever hit new england. The moriches inlet was most recently formed by a powerful northeaster in 1931. Estimates vary, but at least 400 people died that day and maybe as many as 800. The great colonial hurricane, probably the strongest storm in new englands history, struck on aug. Aug 26, 2011 the great hurricane of 1938 began to rapidly increase in forward speed and approached 70 mph. For the auxilliary interstate highway, see long island expressway.

Cbsnewyork 80 years ago, no one saw the great hurricane of 1938 coming. Cherie burns tells the story of this little known storm in the great hurricane. The great hurricane of 1938 was one of the worst natural catastrophes to hit the east coast of the united states. A building in the northern reaches of narragansett bay. In 1938, predicting the weather was unsophisticated, and not yet a science that had been perfected. Exactly 75 years ago this week, the great hurricane of 1938 caused extensive damage to the glessners new hampshire summer estate, the rocks. She gives some background information on the growth of the storm, storm tracking of the day and the history of hurricanes striking as far north as long island and new england, but for the most part stays focused on a cast of characters in the various areas. The great hurricane of 1938 the long island express. Sep 21, 2003 the state has a long history of runins with hurricanes, and isabel is only the latest. Aug 25, 2011 the great new england hurricane of 1938 katharine hepburns connecticut beach house and 8,900 other homes were swept into the sea. Saturday marks the 75th anniversary of the day the great hurricane of 1938 pounded connecticut and the rest of new england. This system developed in the far eastern atlantic, near the cape verde islands on september 4. On september 21, 1938, one of the most destructive and powerful hurricanes in recorded history struck long island and southern new england. Weather service had barely been formed at this time, and relied almost completely on firsthand sightings of storms.

The great new england hurricane of 1938 katharine hepburns connecticut beach house and 8,900 other homes were swept into the sea. The weather bureau advised the coast guard that the hurricane was turning out to sea, and to expect strong winds and high seas along the coast. Yet for old timers in town, sandy couldnt hold a candle to the big one the great new england hurricane of 1938 the hurricane of 1938 hit the greenwich area on sept. The great hurricane of 1938 was the first major hurricane to strike new england since 1869. Long island remembers the great hurricane of 1938 cbs. It came ashore at long island on september 21 with winds of 155 and gusts up to 180.

Making landfall with horrific fury and 129 mph winds, the eye of. It produced fifteen tropical depressions and nine tropical storms, of which four further intensified into. Remembering the great colonial hurricane of 1635 new. The great 1938 hurricane crossed over the tip of long island, slammed into new london and raced up the connecticut river valley at 50 miles per hour. The last two hurricanes were mild in comparison to the great hurricane of 1938. Specifically, it aimed for the new england area, which has had massive hurricanes almost every 100 years. With riveting detail, burns weaves together the countless personal stories of loved ones lost and lives changed forever from those of the moore family, washed to sea on a raft formerly. Jul 24, 2015 on september 21, 1938, new england was hit by a category 3 hurricane. This is the spellbinding hourbyhour reconstruction of the most destructive and powerful storm ever to strike new england. The new england hurricane of 1938 or great new england hurricane or yankee clipper or long island express or simply the great hurricane of 1938 was the first major hurricane to strike new. On september 21, 1938, vermonters were taken by surprise when the deadliest hurricane in new englands history made landfall.

That morning a new york times editorial entitled hurricane concluded,every year an average of three such whirlwinds sweep the tropical north atlantic between june and november. The great 1938 hurricane took almost everyone by surprise. The 1938 atlantic hurricane season featured four hurricanes, including the great new england hurricane, regarded as one of the most powerful and destructive tropical cyclones in new england history. The weather channel host matt sampson takes us through the 1938 long island express hurricane that forever changed the northeast. In addition to the wind, there was widespread flooding in massachusetts. Perhaps the greatest longterm impact on long island of the great hurricane of 1938 was its creation of the shinnecock inlet and the widening of the moriches inlet to the west.

The 1938 hurricane that revived new englands fall colors. Sep 21, 2015 this storm, the new england hurricane of 1938, remains the strongest and worst weather disaster in our history. By 4 pm, one of the most powerful and destructive hurricanes ever to hit southern new england made landfall between bridgeport and new haven. Check out wfo bostonnortons 1938 hurricane page on september 21, 1938, one of the most destructive and powerful hurricanes in recorded history struck long island and southern new england. The surprise hurricane of september 21st, 1938 raced up the atlantic seaboard at 67 mph with a record low air pressure and left residents of the thickly populated northeast coast with no time to react. By opening the shinnecock inlet several situations developed all of which have caused rapid erosion of beaches to the west of moriches inlet. Oct 12, 2017 but what few people realize is that the spectacular blazing colors from our hardwood forests are the result of the great hurricane of 1938, which brought 100 mph winds inland to vermont, new. The total damages from the hurricane are estimated at 708 fatalities, 4,500 homes destroyed, and millions of dollars in damages. The great new england hurricane of 1938 national weather service. The following images snapped shortly after the great new england hurricane of 1938 are from america from the great depression to world war ii. Long island remembers the great hurricane of 1938 cbs new york. The 1938 hurricane has had a dominoeffect on coastal erosion.

By 20 september, it was east of the bahamas and had reached category 5 status. Sep 21, 20 on the afternoon of september 21st, 1938, a storm as yet surpassed in hurricane lore, hit southern new england. It moved westnorthwestward through the 12th, then turned northward on a track that brought the center near cape hatteras, north carolina on the 14th. This system developed in the far eastern atlantic, near the cape. Eightymileanhour winds lashed the coast and the torrential downpour caused rivers and streams to overflow. Remembering the great hurricane of 1938 connecticut post. The great hurricane of 1938 began to rapidly increase in forward speed and approached 70 mph. Waterford, ct ground zero of the great hurricane of 1938 was the border of connecticut and rhode island at watch hill. In newport, it was estimated that this was a 1 in a 400year storm. Scotti recounts the devastating hurricane that hit new england in september 1938. The great new england hurricane of 1938 weather concierge. The system developed off the cape verde islands around. The next time a major hurricane hits, it will be impacting a highlyurbanized region.

The great hurricane of 1938 future new york hurricanes. The great 1938 hurricane, a onceinalifetime storm new. A look back at the disastrous great new england hurricane. The great hurricane of 1938 is remembered on its 80th. This photo from island park, rhode island, shows the damage inflicted by the great new england hurricane of 1938. The storm hit long island and southern connecticut on september 21, moving at a forward speed of 47 mph. Not since 1869 had this region experienced such a violent hurricane. With riveting detail, burns weaves together countless personal stories of loved ones lost and lives changed foreverfrom those of the moore family, washed to sea on a raft formerly their. About 700 people died 75 years ago when the storm known variously as the great new england hurricane of 1938 or the long island express began. The 1938 hurricane was the worst natural disaster in american history a gale that wreaked more death and havoc than either the great chicago fire or the san. It blew the roofs off houses and knocked down trees. Many names were given to the storm including the great new england hurricane, yankee clipper, great hurricane of 1938, and long island express. Sep 03, 2003 the great hurricane of 1938 was one of the worst natural catastrophes to hit the east coast of the united states. Sep 21, 20 waterford, ct ground zero of the great hurricane of 1938 was the border of connecticut and rhode island at watch hill.

In the atlantic ocean, the season officially began on june 16 and ended on november 15. The 1938 hurricane landfall was near bellport, ny sometime between 2. Draws on period newspaper accounts, eyewitness testimony, archival footage, and weather forecasters to provide an indepth account of the great hurricane of 1938, which left a trail of death and destruction across seven communities and obliterated entire communities and families. According to the author, no one could have been prepared for the 1938 storms speed and ferocity. Remembering the great hurricane of 38 the new york times. Sep 04, 2010 in the midafternoon of september 21, 1938, a fastmoving hurricane, the likes of which hadnt been seen in twohundred years, slammed without mercy into long island, new york, at great south bay and continued hastily north along its path of despair, racing across long island sound into the unsuspecting coastal town of milford, connecticut.

As new yorkers braced for hurricane sandy on monday, the memory of another superstorm swirled in the air the great hurricane of 1938, which devasted long island and the eastern seaboard 74 years. Also called the long island express, the great new england hurricane of 1938 was the most destructive storm to strike the region in the 20th century. The great hurricane of 1938 john mcternans insights. Known as the great hurricane of 1780, it is among the. An estimated 2billion trees were displaced in new york alone. On the night of september 20, 1938, the news on the radio was full of hitlers pending invasion of czechoslovakia. The gusts of 186 mph, recorded at blue hill observatory in milton, ma, would be the strongest hurricane wind ever recorded in the united states.