The hurricane, one of the most destructive to ever hit new england, was followed by massive river flooding as the water dumped by the storm10 to 17 inches. 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. In terms of fatalities and property damage the 1938 hurricane is still one of the worst disasters in north american history. At least 262 people were killed in rhode island, though in the 2003 book sudden sea. History reveals hurricane threat to new york city a modern perspective on the risks to new york city. The lowest pressure recorded with the storm was 27. The 20 exhibit in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the hurricane of 1938 is open. Providing information to the people who love long beach, ny as we recover from hurricane sandy and become stronger. In a matter of hours, 600 people were killed, 4500 were injured, and more than 75,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. In westhampton beach, which bore the brunt on long island, more than 150.
The weather doctor almanac 2008 the great hurricane of. Because it was a snazzier time, people called this hurricane the long island express. The great hurricane of 1938 was the first major hurricane to strike new england since 1869. Photos of the long island express hurricane of 1938 on. Until, that is, a freak category 5 hurricane poorly forecast and underreported that was supposed to head harmlessly out to sea after missing florida instead took a fast track up the atlantic coast, savaged central long island and barreled right into narragansett bay, whipping away scores of summer homes, beach clubs, restaurants and other. While this was an odd storm, the 1938 season is perhaps best known for the long island express hurricane of 1938 that devastated portions of new york and new england in september. However, it was mainly known as the new england hurricane of 1938. By 20 september, it was east of the bahamas and had reached category 5 status.
The most recent new york, ny hurricane was andrea in 20. The great hurricane of 1938 in photos the weather channel. The astonishing power of the great hurricane of 1938 part 1 ground zero of the great hurricane of 1938 was the border. Hurricane gloria in 1985, a category 1 storm that was the last one to hit long island. The storm formed near the coast of africa in september of the 1938 atlantic hurricane season, becoming a category 5 hurricane on the saffirsimpson. Dreading a replay of the 1938 hurricane the new york times.
For the first time his wife irene could ever remember, harold higginbotham decided not to go to work. The 1938 new england hurricane was one of the deadliest and most destructive tropical. The dune road area of westhampton beach was obliterated, resulting in 29 deaths. The storm developed near the cape verde islands on september 9, tracking across the atlantic and up the eastern. One of the many homes wrecked in hardhit west hampton beach, long island in the 1938 hurricane, where many met death. Hurricane hazards along the northeastern atlantic coast of. Many names were given to the storm including the great new england hurricane, yankee clipper, great hurricane of 1938, and long island express. Until, that is, a freak category 5 hurricane poorly forecast and underreported that was supposed to head harmlessly out to sea after missing florida instead took a fast track. The bridge on route 85 at onesquethaw creek was closed due to a westbound lane washout. Fisherman in the villages along the mexican coast have named these storms, the lash of st. Along the coast, storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane. Article recalls hurricane that slammed into long islands south shore on september 21. The 1938 hurricane, which took forecasters and residents by surprise, devastated. Hurricane in the hamptons, 1938 ny images of america.
For example, the long islandnew england hurricane of 1938 is the only u. There have been other hurricanes since then hurricane bob, which mostly missed long island, in 1991. The great new england hurricane of 1938 damage photos. Long islands hurricane of 1938 back in the years before the government gave. Since i was born in 1965, i only remember the hurricanes from 1976 and forward.
The regional perspective on the 1938 hurricane lots of great pictures of. Formerly a hurricane, it was the only tropical storm to make landfall in california in the twentieth century. City of long beach, new york official government organization. Hurricane history for long island from 1893 to present. In scott mandias web site, the long island express. It had sustained winds of 121 mph, and a peak wind gust of 186 mph in massachussetts. On the day of september 21, 1938, the storm was moving at about 30 miles an hour as it passed cape hatteras and the carolina coast at 8. The great new england hurricane of 1938 national weather service. Hurricane of 1938 the wind that shook the world new.
Known for devastating rains and floods in pa and upstate ny. History reveals hurricane threat to new york city live. Weather bureau and there were numerous smaller offices across the country that were added slowly in the future. The new england hurricane of 1938 or great new england hurricane or long island express or simply the great hurricane of 1938 was the first major hurricane to strike new england since 1869. Hurricane sandy inland water damage in the nynj metropolitan area. Long beach ny, hurricane information home facebook. She was working as a waitress at a restaurant on napeague harbor, just west of montauk, when the wind and water started to pound against the windows. The great new england hurricane of 1938 damage photos weather. The storm formed near the coast of africa on september 9, becoming a category 5 hurricane on the saffirsimpson hurricane scale, before making landfall as. Not since 1869 had this region experienced such a violent hurricane. The hurricane of 1938 the long island history project.
The hurricane was estimated to have killed between 682 and. Hurricane donna created an 11foot storm tide in the new york harbor that caused extensive pier damage. The great new england hurricane learn more from these relevant books chosen by the weather doctor. On fire island more than 1,000 bungalows were demolished after the hurricane. A s the last person alive to leave the beach at quogue during the eye of the 1938 hurricane otis bradley was trapped at a childrens party in westhampton beach i can add a memory or two to john posts contribution. This was one of the biggest hurricanes of the 20th century, and killed. 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.
First, take a look at the best track map for the 1938 hurricane. My mom waded into the water with me on her shoulders. Now a yankee classic, this article was first published in september, 1988. Unique vulnerability of the new yorknew jersey metropolitan area. The 1938 hurricane killed more than 50 people on long island, even though it struck the sparsely populated east end on sept. Long beach city officials announced a fundraiser sunday to help hurricane harvey victims in texas. On september 21, 1938, one of the most destructive and powerful hurricanes in recorded history struck long island and southern new england. The system developed off the cape verde islands around september 4, 1938. Est, the hurricane made landfall on long island over bellport. The 1938 hurricane caused 306 million dollars of damage 75 years ago, but that would translate into nearly 18 billion dollars today and would put that storm in the top 57 most costly storms of. The great hurricane of 1938 a very indepth history of the storm.
Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and. An exhibition at the east hampton historical society on long island features photographs taken by residents in the aftermath of a hurricane that ripped across the east end in september 1938. Lb community organizations active in disasters lb coad. All told, 700 people were killed by the hurricane, 600 of them in long island and southern new england. On september 21, 1938, new england was hit by a category 3 hurricane. The exhibit includes a personal scrapbook donated by the stevens family with extensive notes throughout. While only aged 3 12 then, there are certain things succinctly remembered. Front page of the mattituck watchman, sep 22, 1938. The great hurricane of 1938, the long island express hurricane of 1938 as it has been called, struck long island and new england on september 21, 1938. June 22 nd tropical storm agnes western long island likely long beach tropical storm. 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. It came ashore at long island on september 21 with winds of 155 and gusts up to 180. Dramatic damage was done to the beaches of presentday new york.
Long island express hurricane, 1938 the deadly 1938 hurricane known as the long island express roared into elsie wartas life seven decades ago with a ferocity she remembers to this day. September 12 th hurricane donna eastern long island. Long beach in talks with union over concessions, officials say. Long beach leading long island harvey relief long beach, ny the city, which was hit hard by sandy, is rallying to help those in texas facing even more devastation. View 1 photos for 59 roosevelt blvd, long beach, ny 11561 a bed, bath, 5,000 sq. The 1938 hurricane, the most severe and terrifying storm to hit long island in living memory, struck on september 21, a day that had dawned bright and fair in the seaside. Allen find in a library the great new england hurricane of 1938 nat weather service in harms way. The great hurricane of 1938 save the dunes and beaches. Bridges were closed on i90, i88, us route 20, new york route 7, new york route 5s, new york route 161, new york route 30, and all bridges over the schoharie creek, from the gilboa dam to the mohawk river. Long beach leading long island harvey relief efforts. The 1938 hurricane, by the works project administration during this storm, frank schubert, last keeper of coney island light, was aboard the buoy tender ship tulip, which was thrown aground on. The storm hit long island and southern connecticut on september 21, moving at a. Waves ranging from 30 to 50 feet swept houses and families right out to sea. The long island express hurricane of 1938 curbed hamptons.
See more of long beach ny, hurricane information on facebook. Storm surge overview national hurricane center noaa. Seven hours later, the category 3 hurricane smacked. 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. Scotti contends that the states death toll was closer to 433. Views of local damage from the hurricane that hit long island on september 21, 1938. Brickner in 1938, the setup of the national weather service was very different than it is today. Hurricane history for long island ive been doing research on the hurricane history for long island. Over the next 24 hours, it moved through new england causing incredible damage throughout those states to crops, trees, and livestock.
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