 Blue Hill Observatory Sky Mail |
Remembering the 1938 Hurricane Come the 17th Annual Southern New England Weather Conference to hear about more wild New England Weather
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The Height of the 1938 Hurricane in Providence RI (photo Wm. H Foley Providence Journal) - from The 1938 Hurricane - an Historical and Pictorial Summary by W. E. Minsinger - (still available for sale on www.bluehill.org) That is a street car in the foreground with seawater up to its windows - people lost their lives here as the storm surge was funneled up Narragansett Bay and rose rapidly in about 5 minutes just as businesses let out at 5 PM - the tide never really had fallen from the morning high tide with winds out of the south.
On September 21st, the staff at the Blue Hill Observatory, atop Great Blue Hill in Milton, MA, always reflect on the passage of the 1938 Great New England Hurricane which produced a 5 minute average wind of 121 mph and a gust of 186 mph at approximately 6:15 PM. This is the highest wind ever recorded at the Observatory in our 132 year history and was, up until recently, the second highest wind ever recorded in the world. A remarkable day at Blue Hill Observatory and throughout New England.
This is a remarkable set of before and after pictures from Watch Hill, RI where the barrier beach was swept clean on Sept. 21,1938. Over 30 substantial summer "cottages" were completely swept away as well as the bathhouses pictured in the foreground The remarkable tale of survival of Helen Joy Lee, who rode a porch roof over to the Connecticut shore as her house was destroyed is featured in The 1938 Hurricane - an Historical and Pictorial Summary by W E Minsinger. Fortunately this very vulnerable area has not been rebuilt on.
Come to the 17th annual Southern New England Weather Conference to hear more details of all aspects of wild New England weather. Register today by clicking on this link.
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