NEW ENGLAND HURRICANES OF NOTE

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Although the Hurricane Season in New England is defined as June 1^st through November 30^th, 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 (MEMA) Acting Director Kurt Schwartz. “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. Some refer to it as America’s first recorded natural disaster. Likely a Cape Verde-type storm, the highest winds have been estimated at Category 3 or greater at landfall, with winds of 115-plus mph. The storm’s eye is believed to have passed between Boston and Plymouth causing at least 46 casualties. The tide in Narragansett Bay was reported to be 14’ above normal, with even higher tides reported throughout the area Reports from the journal of Governor William Bradford describing the of dozens of Native Americans, the toppling of thousands of trees and the flattening of houses suggest that this storm may have possessed even greater intensity than the storms of 1815 and 1938.

The Great September Gale of 1815
September 23, 1815

Called the Great September Gale, because the word ‘hurricane’ was not yet current in American English, 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 an 11-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

The ‘September Gale’ was first observed in the Bahamas.  It reached Category 3 until ultimately making landfall in Rhode Island just west of Buzzards Bay, reaching the coast at Boston, and finally dissipating in Northern Maine.  This storm was very compact, but intense.  It was reported to have been less than 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 the first major hurricane to strike New England since 1869. Having formed off of the coast of Africa, it was first detected in the Tropical Atlantic.  As it slowly moved northward, when it was 100 miles east of North Carolina it suddenly accelerated to a forward motion of 60 to 70 mph. Without warning, it made landfall as a Category 3, during an astronomically high tide along Long Island and the Connecticut coast. The Blue Hill Observatory, outside of Boston, measured sustained winds of 121 mph, with gusts of 183 mph. Providence Rhode Island reported sustained winds of 100 mph, gusting to 125 mph. Storm tides of 14 to 18 feet inundated portions of the coast from Long Island to Connecticut with 18 to 25 foot tides reported as far east as Cape Cod.  Narragansett Bay experienced a destructive storm surge of 12 to 14 feet.  The hurricane’s heavy rains of 3” to 6” combined with the effects of the frontal system produced rainfall of 10” to 17” causing severe flooding, particularly in areas of Western Massachusetts and along the Connecticut River.  Downtown Providence, R.I. 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. The Miami Hurricane Warning Office designated the storm, as such to emphasize its size and intensity.  This may be the first time a n ‘official’ name was give to a storm by the office which would evolve into the present-day National Hurricane Center. 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 were attributed to this hurricane, most of which were at sea.  The relatively low number of land deaths (46) was attributed to the well-executed warnings and evacuations. It wreaked havoc on World War II shipping, sinking a U.S. Navy destroyer and minesweeper, 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.  The storm was named ‘Dog’, from the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet (the 4^th named storm of the season). First observed east of the Lesser Antilles on August 30^th, this was a major hurricane that never actually made landfall, passing within 200 miles of Cape Cod. In fact it had weakened to barely hurricane strength as it passed Nantucket. 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.  Fortunately 17 naval vessels had relocated to avoid the storm. To this day, it retains the record for the longest continuous duration for a Category 5 Atlantic Hurricane of 60 hours, from September 5^th through September 8^th.  Dog also fluctuated between Category 4 and 5 strength on four different occasions, which is also a record.

Hurricane Carol
August 31, 1954

This compact, but powerful, borderline Category 3 battered New England, killing 68.  With 100 mph winds, gusting up to 135 mph, Carol caused over $460 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, just east of the Hurricane of 1938 landfall, 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 storm was still producing hurricane-force winds as it traveled through New Hampshire and Maine. Notably, it knocked down the spire of the Old North Church. The name ‘Carol’ was the first Atlantic hurricane to be 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. Edna tracked just east of Carol’s track. The storm passed over Eastern Cape Cod and the Islands, during a rising high tide, where peak gusts were recorded at 120 mph.  Storm surges of 6’ were common. 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 over 2 deaths and $40 million damage across the region.  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. The cooler air behind Connie became entrained in Diane’s circulation causing it to steadily weaken to a Tropical Storm as it reached the Southern New England coast. However, Diane dropped heavy rain of 10” to 20”, setting flood records throughout the region.  Diane was recognized as the wettest tropical cyclone to impact New England. The storm was blamed for nearly 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 2^nd to September 11^th 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, making landfall at Milford, Connecticut. As it continued northeastward through New England, it became extratropical over Maine on the 28^th.  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, Mass. 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 in the Bahamas, Hurricane Bob made landfall in New England near New Bedford, Mass. with 115 mph winds, cutting a path across Southeastern Massachusetts towards the Gulf of Maine. Peak winds of in excess of 100 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.

-Fred

Floyd tracked well to the west of Providence, with the center moving over Central CT and MA. That track put RI and SE MA on the windy, but drier, side of the storm. The wind gusted to 60 mph Thursday evening at the New Bedford hurricane barrier. The strongest wind came shortly after midnight with the following gusts reported:

• 76 mph – New Bedford Hurricane Barrier
• 72 mph – Brewster, MA
• 71 mph – Barnstable

The storm also brought in a small storm surge. This is straight from the National Weather Service storm report:

MAXIMUM STORM SURGE AT NOS SITES..
          PROVIDENCE 3.7 FT AT 0206 UTC 9/17
          NEWPORT    2.6 FT AT 0136 UTC 9/17
          NANTUCKET  1.3 FT AT 0312 UTC 9/17
          BOSTON     1.6 FT AT 2100 UTC 9/16
     MAXIMUM STORM SURGE AT OTHER LOCATIONS..
          FOX POINT HURRICANE BARRIER    4.2 FT (0215 - 0345 UTC 9/17)
          NEW BEDFORD HURRICANE BARRIER  2.5 FT (0200 UTC 9/17)

You may remember one of the big news stories was about the generator at Rhode Island Hospital failing to turn on after commercial power was lost. As a result, a man died after his breathing apparatus failed.

On a national level, Floyd was a very big deal. The storm made landfall on the East Coast near Wilmington, NC. Although Floyd was once a 155 mph monster, it made landfall as a borderline category one storm. Max gusts were about 120 mph at the time of landfall, and the storm surge was near 10 ft. in a few spots along the North Carolina coast.

Floyd’s greatest legacy is the torrential rain and severe flooding that occurred just to the west of the storm’s track.

Floyd was responsible for 56 deaths – 55 of them in the United States. 48 of the people died as a result of freshwater flooding due to the heavy rain west of the storm’s track.

Here is a recap of the storm and its impacts.

Tropical Storm Floyd was the first tropical storm that I covered on television. I spent much of the day Thursday in Narragansett interviewing all the people who came to see the huge surf and outer rain bands moving in during the afternoon. I also did some work on storm preparation. I was back on the air Friday morning with live reports from the hurricane barrier in New Bedford.

The storm also managed to bring some wind gusts strong enough to down some trees in Southeastern Massachusetts. The strongest gust (61 mph) was recorded by a 66 ft. tower in Nantucket Sound at 3:51 on Saturday afternoon. That tower belongs to Cape Wind – the company that wants to erect wind turbines around the Massachusetts coast.

A gust to 53 mph was recorded at Kalmus on the Cape. The wind in Hyannis gusted to almost 45 mph.

The greatest storm impacts were in Southeastern Massachusetts, but Southern RI was also hit relatively hard with heavy rain. 3-4″ rain was reported from Block Island to Aquidneck Island to Little Compton.

Below is a National Weather Service summary of the rain reports and wind reports in Southern New England.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
SPOTTER REPORTS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1230 PM EDT SUN AUG 30 2009

THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN FROM THE REMNANTS OF
TROPICAL STORM DANNY AND AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE THAT PASSED ACROSS
SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

APPRECIATION IS EXTENDED TO HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS...COOPERATIVE
OBSERVERS...SKYWARN SPOTTERS AND MEDIA FOR THESE REPORTS.  THIS
SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR HOME PAGE AT WEATHER.GOV/BOSTON

********************STORM TOTAL RAINFALL********************

LOCATION            STORM TOTAL   TIME/DATE    COMMENTS
                     RAINFALL       OF
                     (INCHES)    MEASUREMENT

MASSACHUSETTS

...BARNSTABLE COUNTY...

   BREWSTER             4.69     405 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   YARMOUTHPORT         4.44     441 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   CENTERVILLE          4.12     518 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   EAST SANDWICH        4.10     355 PM  8/29  NWS EMPLOYEE
   SANDWICH             4.05     755 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   EAST FALMOUTH        4.00     409 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   YARMOUTH             3.98     311 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   HYANNIS              3.94     800 AM  8/30  ASOS
   HYANNIS              3.92     456 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   FALMOUTH             3.62     404 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   FALMOUTH             3.48     800 AM  8/30  OTIS ANG BASE
   WEST FALMOUTH        3.43     400 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   CHATHAM              3.35     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   CHATHAM              3.34     800 AM  8/30  ASOS
   WEST WAREHAM         3.29     313 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   WOODS HOLE           3.25     630 AM  8/30  SPOTTER
   SOUTH YARMOUTH       2.70     215 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   HARWICH              2.25     215 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO

...BRISTOL COUNTY...

   NEW BEDFORD          5.05     530 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   ACUSHNET             4.31     615 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   FAIRHAVEN-W ISLAND   4.20     500 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   NEW BEDFORD          4.08     700 PM  8/29  ASOS
   BERKLEY              2.60     445 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   TAUNTON              2.40     800 AM  8/30  ASOS
   DIGHTON              2.28     820 PM  8/30  NWS EMPLOYEE
   MANSFIELD            2.15     545 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   NORTON               2.09     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   NWS TAUNTON          2.00     800 AM  8/30  NWS OFFICE

...DUKES COUNTY...

   EDGARTOWN            4.99     930 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   VINEYARD HAVEN       3.93     700 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   VINEYARD HAVEN       3.66     800 AM  8/30  ASOS/AIRPORT
   WEST TISBURY         3.26     454 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO

...ESSEX COUNTY...

   SALEM                2.54     449 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   IPSWICH              2.48     410 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   NEWBURYPORT          2.44     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   PEABODY              2.16     450 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   BEVERLY              2.05     700 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   MARBLEHEAD           2.05     930 AM  8/30  COCORAHS

...FRANKLIN COUNTY...

   GREENFIELD           2.30     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   ASHFIELD             2.11     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   CHARLEMONT           2.05     245 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO

...HAMPSHIRE COUNTY...

   WORTHINGTON          2.36     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   GOSHEN               2.11     240 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   CHESTERFIELD         2.06     845 AM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO

...MIDDLESEX COUNTY...

   ARLINGTON            2.42     700 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   WESTFORD             2.21     445 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   TEWKSBURY            2.07     446 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   AYER                 2.02     929 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   PEPPERELL            2.01     454 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   READING              2.01     945 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER

...NANTUCKET COUNTY...

   NANTUCKET            4.04     441 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   NANTUCKET            3.73     800 AM  8/30  ASOS/AIRPORT
   SIASCONSET           3.06     200 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO

...NORFOLK COUNTY...

   SOUTH WEYMOUTH       2.12    1040 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   SOUTH QUINCY         2.00     835 AM  8/30  GENERAL PUBLIC

...PLYMOUTH COUNTY...

   WEST PLYMOUTH        5.00     520 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   WEST WAREHAM         4.24     443 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   KINGSTON             4.13     700 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   DUXBURY              4.09     800 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   MIDDLEBORO           4.06     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   PLYMOUTH             4.00     559 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   ROCHESTER            3.90     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   PLYMOUTH             3.39     800 AM  8/30  ASOS
   BRIDGEWATER          2.68     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   WAREHAM              2.62     203 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   MARSHFIELD           2.70     449 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   HALIFAX              2.36     445 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   SCITUATE             2.13     442 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   ABINGTON             2.10     442 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO

...WORCESTER COUNTY...

   NORTH GRAFTON        2.44     442 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   MILFORD              2.33     700 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   ROYALSTON            2.23     307 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   STERLING             2.10     140 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   LEOMINSTER           2.00     156 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO

NEW HAMPSHIRE

...CHESHIRE COUNTY...

   SWANZEY              2.16     305 PM  8/29  EMERGENCY MGR
   KEENE                2.15     246 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   KEENE                2.06     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   MARLOW               2.09     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   FITZWILLIAM          2.02     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   JAFFREY              2.01     800 AM  8/30  ASOS
   ROXBURY              2.01     319 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO

...HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY...

   MACDOWELL LAKE       2.59     700 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   PETERBOROUGH         2.47     316 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   FRANCESTOWN          2.24     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER
   GOFFSTOWN            2.14     317 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   WILTON               2.16     448 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO
   EAST MILFORD         2.07     800 AM  8/30  COOP OBSERVER

RHODE ISLAND

...KENT COUNTY...

   CONVENTRY CENTER     2.51     800 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   WEST WARWICK         2.05     504 PM  8/29  GENERAL PUBLIC

...NEWPORT COUNTY...

   LITTLE COMPTON       3.76     700 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   MIDDLETOWN           3.50     354 PM  8/29  SPOTTER
   MIDDLETOWN           2.69     800 AM  8/30  UUU ASOS
   JAMESTOWN            2.21     700 AM  8/30  COCORAHS

...PROVIDENCE COUNTY...

   CRANSTON             2.55     800 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   WOONSOCKET           2.09     700 AM  8/30  COCORAHS

...WASHINGTON COUNTY...

   BLOCK ISLAND ARPT    3.04     315 PM  8/29  AWOS
   SOUTH KINGSTOWN      2.49     800 AM  8/30  SPOTTER
   CHARLESTOWN          2.48     600 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   HOPE VALLEY          2.35     700 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   KINGSTON             2.13     845 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   SAUNDERSTOWN         2.02     800 AM  8/30  COCORAHS
   WESTERLY             2.01     447 PM  8/29  AMATEUR RADIO

**************************WIND GUST REPORTS*************************

LOCATION               WIND SPEED   TIME/DATE   COMMENTS
                         GUSTS        OF
                         (MPH)      MEASUREMENT

MASSACHUSETTS

...NANTUCKET COUNTY...

   NANTUCKET SOUND         61        351 PM     SOUTHEAST WIND.
   (HORSESHOE SHOAL)                            MEASURED AT 66FT
                                                ABOVE GROUND
                                                SOURCE:CAPE WIND.

   NANTUCKET               38        712 PM     WEST WIND/ASOS.

...BARNSTABLE COUNTY...

   KALMUS                  53        343 PM     SOUTH WIND. SOURCE-
                                                WEATHERFLOW.

   HYANNIS                 44        334 PM     EAST WIND/ASOS.

...ESSEX COUNTY...

   EASTERN POINT           40        741 PM     NORTH WIND. SOURCE-
                                                WEATHERFLOW.

*************************SUSTAINED WIND REPORTS*******************

LOCATION               WIND SPEED   TIME/DATE   COMMENTS
                       SUSTAINED        OF
                         (MPH)      MEASUREMENT

MASSACHUSETTS

...BARNSTABLE COUNTY...

   PROVINCETOWN            31        855 PM     NW WIND/AWOS

$$

AED/EVT/NOCERA/KAB

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhDVyFQ8ITs

This video from Jim Corbin ( heard briefly on the phone and seen very briefly looking out the window!) shows Hurricane Bob on August 19, 1991 affecting Westboro, Mass which is 30 miles NNW of Providence. The storm’s center at the time was about about 60 miles to the southeast. This put Westboro on the WEAKER WIND SIDE..but also on the HEAVIER RAIN SIDE. Though winds in the area averaged 25-65 mph for several hours snapping a lot of branches…..it was the 6-8 inches of rain that turned dry gullies into rivers of water. Water pouring off the roof was relentless. The view was generally west..so you can see the rain blowing right to left indicating northeast to north gales as the storm passed to the east.

Southeast Massachusetts could get whacked if Bill tracks 150 miles west of the forecast

Hurricane Edouard, although not a landfalling hurricane in Southern New England, had a pretty significant impact in Southeastern Massachusetts. The storm brought hurricane-force gusts to the Cape and Islands. This comes directly from the National Hurricane Center’s recap of the storm:

The hurricane came close enough to New England to produce sustained winds of tropical storm force at Nantucket Island and the Cape Cod area. Wind gusts to hurricane force were reported at Nantucket. Table 3 lists selected surface observations from Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. In addition, there were unofficial reports of wind gusts to 90 mph at Nantucket, 80 mph at Martha’s Vineyard, and 77 mph on Cape Cod.

The storm also delivered very heavy rain to Cape Cod and the Islands. Many places east of Bourne reported more than five inches of rain. The storm had a very sharp edge to the rain shield. There was only .27″ of rain at TF Green Airport.

At one point, a Hurricane Warning was posted from Watch Hill, RI around the MA coast to the Merrimack River. This was subsequently dropped as the hurricane force gusts did not stretch west of Cape Cod.

Between Providence and the Cape, there was an area of Tropical Storm force winds. New Bedford reported wind gusts of 50 mph.

Remember, in order for Bill to have an impact similar to Edouard, the storm would have to track about 150 miles west of its current forecast. That’s not a small amount, but it is certainly not unheard of, considering the storm is still over 200o miles offshore.

There are multiple videos in the collection. You can see the playlist by clicking on the arrows at the sides of the video window.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F561A9B83E17321B