List of New England hurricanes
A New England hurricane is a tropical cyclone originating in the Atlantic Ocean that affects the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine in the United States.
List of tropical cyclones
Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale | ||||||
TD | TS | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
Most of the following are tropical cyclones that passed through the states after weakening from their peak.
Pre–17th century
Multiple intense hurricanes (Category 3+) hit New England in pre-Columbian times: between 1100–1150, 1300–1400 (1295–1407), and 1400–1450 (1404–1446), respectively.[1][2]
17th century
- August 25, 1635- The Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635 struck Narragansett Bay. It killed 46+ people.
- August 23, 1683- A tropical cyclone hit Connecticut and caused tremendous flooding.
- October 29, 1693- Another tropical cyclone struck New England and caused flooding so great that new permanent inlets were created.
18th century
- October 18, 1703- A tropical system caused great wind and flood damage; many ships were lost.
- February 23, 1723- An off-season storm struck Cape Cod causing a great deal of damage, but no reported deaths.[3]
- October 8, 1747- Seven ships were destroyed and "Many" perished.
- September 8, 1769- A hurricane that earlier caused great damage in Annapolis, MD blew ashore boats at Boston and adjacent parts, Providence, and Newport. Some houses were blown down and destroyed.
- September 1775- The Newfoundland Hurricane of 1775 apparently brought strong winds and/or waves to New England, though it is not known to have actually made landfall. This report may also be confused with the Independence Hurricane of September 2–3, 1775 which passed into New England from New York as a tropical depression or weak tropical storm.
- August 13, 1778- A weakening hurricane that struck the Carolinas impacted the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island but did not make landfall. This storm prevented a major battle between England and France off the coast of Rhode Island.
- November 1, 1778- A possible late season hurricane struck Cape Cod, Massachusetts, killing 50-70 people. Twenty-three of these deaths are believed to be attributed to the HMS Somerset III, a British ship which ran aground on Cape Cod during this storm.
- October 8–9, 1782- A hurricane that struck the Carolinas and moved up the coast causing damage in Providence, Rhode Island. It is currently not known if this hurricane made landfall in New England.
- October 18–19, 1782- A second hurricane moved up the coast and was considered more severe than the previous storm in portions of New England, especially Boston. This was a rare snow hurricane for New England and the storm was likely transforming into an extratropical cyclone as it approached the New England states.
- September 24–25, 1785- A hurricane which made landfall near Ocracoke, North Carolina impacted southern New England. Based on known observations, this hurricane remained offshore of New England but passed close enough to inflict heavy rain and strong winds to New York City and Boston.
- August 19, 1788- A weakening hurricane moved up through eastern New York impacting western New England.
19th century
- September 12, 1804 – The Antigua–Charleston hurricane, a major storm for the Caribbean, Georgia, and South Carolina, impacted portions of New England as weakening tropical storm and then tropical depression before dissipating off the coast of Nova Scotia.
- October 9,[3] 1804- The Storm of October 1804 crossed New England, cool air was entrained in the circulation, and it became extratropical. The storm brought heavy snow across the Northeast, in some areas up to 2–3 feet, and killed 9 people. This was the second observation of snow from a landfalling hurricane, but not the last. This Category three hurricane was a major one, especially for eastern Massachusetts.
- October 3, 1805 – A hurricane that struck Mantanzas, Cuba reportedly reached the Maine territory (claimed by Massachusetts until 1820) as a tropical cyclone. Little information is available on this storm but a tropical cyclone exclusively striking Maine is not unique. This is what occurred during the passage of Hurricane Gerda in 1969.
- September 1815 – What was once a major hurricane in the Carolinas brought Tropical Storm-force winds to portions of New England. The likely track of this cyclone takes it very near but offshore of Nantucket.
- September 23–24, 1815 – The Great September Gale of 1815 struck New England as a major hurricane and delivered an 11-foot storm surge that funneled up Narragansett Bay where it destroyed some 500 houses and 35 ships and flooded Providence, Rhode Island. It also caused 38+ deaths all over New England.
- August 12, 1817- A hurricane that was first reported near Tobago made landfall on the Florida panhandle and moved slowly up the coast. This cyclone, now a weak tropical storm or tropical depression, brought rain to New York and portions of New England on the 12th before moving into Quebec.
- September 4, 1821- The 1821 Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane was a very powerful tropical cyclone that made landfall within the modern day limits of New York City. It sliced through New England and was likely extratropical as it moved along the Maine coastline.
- June 4–5, 1825- An early-season hurricane known sometimes dubbed the "Early June Hurricane" formed in late May near Santo Domingo and later struck Cuba, Florida, and South Carolina before moving up the Mid-Atlantic and into New England. Hurricane conditions were reported as far north as New York City and the cyclone's status as a tropical cyclone in New England is debatable given the early date.
- August 27, 1827- The St. Kitts Hurricane impacted the eastern seaboard from Wilmington, North Carolina to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is possible that this cyclone made landfall along the United States but there are also conflicting reports that say it remained offshore of Cape Hatteras, Delaware, and Nantucket. August 1827 was a very active month with at least four hurricanes impacting the North Atlantic.
- August 1830 – Two hurricanes passed close to southeastern Massachusetts within a week of each other. First came the Atlantic Coast Hurricane on August 19 followed by a second hurricane around the 25th. Damage from these two blows was duly noted on Nantucket. It appears that the later system approached the region from the southeast before turning out to sea southeast of Cape Cod.
- October 11, 1830 – A third hurricane impacted New England in 1830 but like the two in August, this cyclone did not make landfall in New England. Barnestable, Massachusetts reported the storm.
- July 19, 1835 – The remnants of a hurricane that struck Florida twice moved into northern New England from New York.
- August 30, 1839 - A hurricane moved up the east coast but did not make landfall. Fringe effects were felt on Long Island and southeastern New England.
- October 3, 1841 - The October Gale of 1841 became an extratropical storm, and passed off the coast of New England. It led to a storm of snow and sleet in Connecticut, bringing up to 18 inches of snow in some areas.[4] The storm wrecked the Georges Bank fishing fleet which drowned 81 fishermen and knocked down trees, tore roofs off houses and forced boats to go up on shore. The storm also destroyed a saltworks factory along Cape Cod, sending the economy to a slump. In 1842, a monument was erected to remember the sailors and fishermen lost at sea.
- October 14, 1846 - The Great Havana Hurricane of 1846 was still a strong tropical cyclone when it passed into New England from New York. In Hartford, Connecticut hurricane-force winds destroyed a trestle bridge. Numerous apple orchards in Massachusetts were reported ruined. No deaths due to the hurricane's passage over New England were reported.
- October 6, 1849 - A tropical cyclone made landfall in Massachusetts, causing 143 deaths. This was the first known tropical cyclone to make landfall in New England since June 1825.
- 1850 - Three tropical cyclones impacted New England this season. The remnants of a July hurricane in the Carolinas passed into New England. An August hurricane caused damage in its wake through New England but was probably a tropical storm. Finally, a September hurricane passed off the coast causing some damage.
- October 19, 1851 - A tropical storm formed north of the Bahamas on October 16. It continued northward and reached a peak intensity of 70 mph (113 km/h). But it weakened to a 60 mph (97 km/h)-storm before it made landfall in Rhode Island on the 19th. Later that day it dissipated on the border between Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
- September 16, 1858- A category 1 hurricane made landfall on the Connecticut-Rhode Island border and brought heavy rain to New England before exiting Maine as a tropical storm. It then continued northeast until it dissipated just over the other side of the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the 17th.
- September 28, 1861- Hurricane 5 hit Connecticut as a 60 mph (97 km/h) tropical storm. It then continued east-northeast and dissipated in extreme eastern Maine later that day.
- November 3, 1861- The Expedition Hurricane struck eastern Connecticut as a 60 mph (97 km/h) tropical storm. It then continued northeast until it dissipated over southern Maine later that day.
- September 19, 1863- An Unnamed tropical storm makes landfall in New York and brings strong winds to western New England.
- October 30, 1866- The former category one Hurricane Seven makes landfall in New Jersey, Long Island, and New York City and begins to parallel the New York-New England border until it briefly enters Vermont and dissipates.
- October 10, 1894- Hurricane Five struck Connecticut as a category 1 hurricane.
- September 10, 1896- Hurricane Two struck Massachusetts as a category 1 hurricane.
- September 24, 1897- Tropical Storm Three hit Connecticut as a 50 mph (80 km/h) tropical storm. It continued up through all the New England states except for Vermont.
- October 6, 1898- Hurricane Seven came from the west and hit Maine as a tropical depression, then continued east into Atlantic Canada.
- November 1, 1899- Hurricane Eight struck New England as a 50 mph (80 km/h)+ extratropical storm.
20th century
- 1904 August - Category 1/extratropical - Damage in southeast Massachusetts, especially Martha's Vineyard. Trees down in Providence, Rhode Island and New Bedford, Massachusetts. Center moved NE just within coastline from Carolinas with eastern sector intact over ocean. Crossed Long Island and east RI border. Much marine destruction with heavy losses in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound and Massachusetts Bay.
- 1916 July - Category 1 - Center moved north from open Atlantic, crossing Buzzards Bay/Cape Cod area of Massachusetts. Hourly wind reports indicated sustained 50 mph (80 km/h) but actual winds were higher than hourly observations. Gusts of 85 mph (137 km/h) recorded in southeast Massachusetts and Cape Cod.
- 1917 August - A tropical storm sinks four ships while passing offshore of Nantucket, Massachusetts, killing 41 sailors. The storm later made landfall in New Brunswick before becoming post-tropical.
- 1924 August - Category 2/3 - large center moved over and just east of Cape Cod. Severe hurricane in New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts. New Bedford Newspaper (Mercury) published photo journal of severity. Often overlooked though much material present to include as destructive storm. On Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket considered worse than 1938. Widespread wind losses to structures. Very heavy tree damage in New Bedford north to Plymouth Massachusetts. Storm later destructive in Nova Scotia.
- 1927 November — The remnants of a tropical storm spawned torrential rains as it rose over the Green Mountain in Vermont, Nov. 3–4. The record flooding caused $40 million in damage and killed 84 people in Vermont and 1 in Rhode Island.[5] The storm ended as snow in the mountains. Note that this flood was unrelated to the 1927 Mississippi Flood.
- 1934 September — Tropical Storm — weakening hurricane crossed Long Island and lost strength from slow movement as it moved through Connecticut much in a similar manner as Hurricane Belle of August 1976. Trees downed in Providence Rhode Island and New Haven Conn.
- 1936 September - Category 1 - Eye moved east-northeast over Block Island and Nantucket Sounds after moving up East Coast of U. S. north of North Carolina and Virginia. Destructive in Providence, Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts. Boston had 80 mph (129 km/h) winds at 8am on the 18th as the storm moved east along the south coast of Cape Cod and the Islands. There was much media coverage but this storm was later eclipsed by the extreme hurricane two years later. Heavy wind damage in all of eastern Massachusetts.
- 1938 September - New England Hurricane of 1938 - Strong Category 3. Wind gusts reached Category 5 strength in eastern Connecticut, Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts west of Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod. The anemometer at the Blue Hill Observatory registered a peak wind gust of 186 m.p.h. before the instrument broke. The hurricane lost strength as it tracked into interior areas of New England, but it is believed to have been at Category 2 intensity as it crossed into Vermont and at minimal Category 1 intensity as it tracked into Quebec. The storm killed over 600 people and is considered to be the worst hurricane to strike New England in modern times.
- 1944 September- 15 - Great Atlantic Hurricane - Category 3 in southern New England. Eye over Conn. /Rhode Island border. Severe wind damage in southeastern Massachusetts and across the Cape and Islands. On Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard considered worse than 1938. Severe wind damage in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Much structural damage and much of the forest that had somehow escaped being decimated in 1938 fell victim to this storm.
- 1950 September - Hurricane Dog - Major offshore hurricane — largest in size of all Atlantic storms — moved very close to Nantucket. Hurricane conditions over southeast Massachusetts. New Bedford Airport at 11pm observation reported sustained wind from the north at 75 mph (121 km/h) with gust to 100 mph (160 km/h). Very large, intense storm.
- 1953 September - Hurricane Carol (the First) - Category 1. Maine landfall with considerable wind losses in Eastport, Maine and New Brunswick, Canada. This hurricane was eclipsed by the extreme damage of another Carol (the second) the very next year.135 mph at Block Island, R.I. and 125 at Milton, Ma.
- 1954 August - Hurricane Carol - Category 3- wind gusts of category four strength in southeast Rhode Island and south coastal Massachusetts in the Buzzards Bay area west of Cape Cod. 60 killed. Extreme damage in coastal south Rhode Island and south coastal Massachusetts. Buzzards Bay damage rivaled 1938 storm.
- 1954 September - Hurricane Edna - second Category 3 hurricane in two weeks in New England made two landfalls, eye over Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod then again on coast of Maine where very severe losses occurred. Winds recorded at the hourly reading at 90 mph New Bedford Airport, New Bedford, Ma; 100 mph at Taunton, Ma. 112 mph at Milton Ma, and 125 mph at Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard Island.
- 1959 July — Hurricane Cindy scrapes New England.
- 1960 September 12–13 - Hurricane Donna - Category 2/3 with peak gust of 140 mph at Blue Hill, Massachusetts,135 Block Island Rhode Island. Peak wind gust at hourly read at anemometer at New Bedford Airport (Massachusetts) recorded 110 mph from south-southwest in a sheltered area. Airport is located in a landscape depression and sheltered from southerly and easterly winds, despite this very high 5 pm gust. Heavy tree, utility and structural damage in southeastern Massachusetts, coastal New Hampshire and Maine. Sixth hurricane hit in southern New England in thirty years, fifth major storm in 22 years. Hourly wind speed reading at City Hall in downtown New Bedford, Ma. recorded 80+ mph.
- 1961 September - Hurricane Esther - Category 1 hurricane moved within 35 miles of south coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts before making a sharp right turn and then making a loop and returning as a tropical storm five days later. 7th hurricane in 30 years remained offshore but produced hurricane-force winds in gusts from Block Island, Rhode Island, eastward across Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and islands. Less damage than in hurricane Donna a year previous. Gusts 75-90 mph onshore.
- 1962 October - Hurricane Daisy - offshore-produced hurricane conditions in coastal NE Maine and Mt. Desert Island.
- 1963 October - Hurricane Ginny - offshore-produced hurricane conditions on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts and again along coastal NE Maine.
- 1971 - Doria - August 28 - was in the process of becoming a Category one hurricane as it moved into Connecticut from Long Island. Hurricane-force winds measured at sea level in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Gusts to 80 mph (129 km/h) in southeast Massachusetts and Blue Hill.
- 1972 - Carrie - as transitioning to extratropical storm on crossing Cape Cod produced hurricane-force gusts of 90 mph (145 km/h) in Plymouth and 100 mph (160 km/h) Hyannis, Massachusetts.
- 1976 August - Hurricane Belle - Hurricane's rather slow movement enabled weakening to set in as storm approached Long Island, New York, and then moved into Connecticut and Massachusetts, and transversed the Vermont/New Hampshire border. Wind gusts to 90 mph in southern Connecticut, 60+mph Providence, Rhode Island, and 75 mph Newport, Rhode Island. Considered minor storm.
- 1985 September - Hurricane Gloria- Strong Category 1 - the first hurricane of significant strength to move inland in southern New England since 1960. Widespread wind damage reported in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, later into coastal New Hampshire and Maine. Tree damage in Conn. worst since 1938 and wind losses in RI and eastern Massachusetts considerable to trees, utilities and roofs. New Bedford, Massachusetts reported wind gusts over 90 mph, inland Rehoboth, Massachusetts state police barracks reported 120 mph and also later reported a tornado in vicinity. Winds at airport in Warwick, Rhode Island gusted to 85 mph at top of the hour reading. Winds on East Side of Providence near Brown University clocked at 100 mph. Winds in New London, Connecticut, were clocked at 110–112 mph. Widespread forest damage in Maine. Storm still had hurricane-force wind gusts into New Brunswick, Canada.
- 1991 August - Hurricane Bob - Category 2. Winds gusted to Category 3 strength in southeastern Massachusetts. One of the smallest in area and yet most intense hurricanes to hit southern New England since 1938. Comparable to Hurricane Carol in Buzzards Bay area of Massachusetts and worst storm on Martha's Vineyard, MA since 1944. In top 25 storms of 20th century of US hurricanes in terms of dollar loss. (1938, 1944, 1954 Carol, 1960 Donna and Bob are all on list). Tidal surge of 10 feet above normal in upper reaches of Buzzards Bay. 135 mph at Block Island before anemometer blew away. 125 mph at Newport, RI, sustained 5-minute speed of 111 mph, gust 144 mph at Westport Harbour on coastal southern MA/RI border. 120 mph at MA Maritime Academy on Buzzards Bay, 120 Truro, MA. One-minute sustained speed of 110 mph on Chappaquiddick Island, MA. Several private anemometers in Falmouth, MA on Cape Cod reported unofficial gusts of 150 mph. New Bedford fishing boat off Cuttyhunk Island, MA reported peak gust of 162 mph.
- 1991 October - Hurricane Grace/Henri - offshore — Wind gusts to 77 mph (124 km/h) over Cape Cod as far west as Jamestown, Rhode Island. Coastal damage very high in exposed eastern Massachusetts area from waves and tide. Minor wind damage coming just two months after Hurricane Bob which produced major damage over southeast Massachusetts.
- 1992-August 28 The remnants of Hurricane Andrew combined with a frontal boundary, and moved from the Mid-Atlantic states into New England. The system dropped light rain, and produced light wind.
- 1992-September 26 Remnants of Tropical Storm Danielle move just west of New England, but cause rainy conditions throughout the region.
- 1996- July — former Hurricane Bertha - storm moved into southern New England as a strong tropical storm with 70 mph sustained winds (just under hurricane force) and in some exposed areas gusted to minimal hurricane force in southern Rhode Island and south coastal Massachusetts west of Buzzards Bay. Minor damage but notable in coastal Rhode Island.
- 1996 September - Hurricane Edouard - Category 1 - offshore-hurricane-force wind gusts from Buzzards Bay east across Cape and Islands. Worse storm than 1985 Gloria on Cape Cod but not as destructive as Bob which has become a benchmark hurricane on Cape Cod. Considerable losses on the Massachusetts islands. Oak Bluffs, Marthas Vineyard MA particularly hard-hit.
- October 8, 1996 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Josephine brush Cape Cod, dropping widespread light rain and wind gust of 45-60 mph at New Bedford, MA.[6]
- July 26, 1997 – Tropical Storm Danny stalls just to the south of Nantucket,[7] causing only minor damage, despite strong winds that are experienced in southeastern Massachusetts.[8] The minor damage includes minimal flooding, power outages, and downed tree limbs.[9]
- 1999 September 17–18 Hurricane Floyd – After paralleling much of the U.S. East Coast, Tropical Storm Floyd moves into Connecticut, and tracks northward through Maine. Floyd causes large power outages and flood damage across the region, with over five inches (130 mm) of rain falling over most of the area. Danbury, Connecticut received up to 15 inches (380 mm) of rain from the storm, resulting in extensive flooding in the city and surrounding areas. Mudslides were reported in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. Several major highways and a countless number of local roads in Connecticut and Massachusetts were closed for several days due to flooding, and downed trees and power lines. Hurricane-force wind gusts were observed in southern Rhode Island: North Kingston unofficially 90 mph. Wind gusts to 76 mph at New Bedford Hurricane Dike in New Bedford, Massachusetts and 73 mph in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
2001–2004
- June 17, 2001 – Tropical Storm Allison brushes southern New England as a subtropical storm. In Connecticut, rainfall peaks at 7.2 inches (183 mm) in Pomfret,[10] closing several roads and causing minor damage to numerous houses.[10] In Rhode Island, the rainfall washes out several roads.[11]
- September 11, 2002 – The interaction between Hurricane Gustav and the non-tropical system causes strong winds that affected areas of coastal New England, mainly in eastern New York and Massachusetts.[12] The winds down trees and power lines, and several homes and cars are damaged by fallen trees; about 19,000 homes lost power in Massachusetts.[13]
- Mid-September, 2002 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna contribute to around 1 in (25 mm) of rainfall in Vermont.[14]
- September 28, 2002 – The extratropical remnants of Hurricane Isidore produce widespread light rainfall across the region.[6] No damages or flooding were reported.[15]
- Early September, 2003 – Hurricane Fabian produces moderate surfing conditions along the East Coast of the United States.[16]
- September 4, 2003 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Grace drop light to moderate rainfall throughout the region, though no significant damages are reported.[6]
- September 17, 2003 – The dissipating remnants of Tropical Storm Henri produce light rainfall.[6]
- September 19, 2003 – Hurricane Isabel passes far to the west, though rainfall reaches 1 inch (25 mm) in portions of western Connecticut and Massachusetts, and in portions of New Hampshire and Maine.[6] Falling trees from moderate winds downed power lines across the region, causing sporadic power outages. Two people die as a result of the hurricane, both due to the rough surf.[7] Damage in Vermont totals about $100,000 (2003 USD, $117,000 in 2008 USD).[17][18][19][20][21][22]
- Early October, 2003 – The interaction between Hurricane Kate and a high pressure area to its north produced 3 to 4 foot (1 m) waves along the coast.[16]
- August 14, 2004 – The extratropical remnants of Tropical Storm Bonnie produce heavy rainfall, with localized totals of up to 10 inches (250 mm). The rainfall floods or washes out roads across the eastern Maine. In Aroostook County, Maine, the rainfall caused a mudslide, narrowing a county road to one lane.[23]
- August 15, 2004 – Tropical Storm Charley dissipates near southern Massachusetts, though the remnant moisture produces up to 5 in (130 mm) of rainfall, particularly in Maine.[6] In Rhode Island, one man drowned in a rip current generated by the system.[24][25]
- August 31, 2004 – Moisture from Hurricane Gaston drops up to 3.69 in (94 mm) of rainfall.[6]
- August 31, 2004 – Tropical Storm Hermine comes ashore near New Bedford, Massachusetts as a minimal tropical storm. Damage was minimal, and effects were limited to gusty winds and light rainfall.[26]
- September 10, 2004 – The remnants of Hurricane Frances produce light, yet widespread rainfall; the system eventually crosses northern Maine.[27]
- September 19, 2004 – A plume of moisture breaks off from the remnants of Hurricane Ivan and progresses northward, producing heavy rainfall across portions of the Mid-Atlantic and New England.[28] The rain causes extensive roadway flooding in Connecticut,[29] and results it minor river flooding in other areas.[30]
- September 29, 2004 – Moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Jeanne storm produce light to heavy rainfall, with totals of over 7 inches (175 mm) on Nantucket.[6]
2005–present
- June 15, 2005 – After being absorbed into a frontal wave, the remnants of Tropical Storm Arlene drop light rainfall in Northern New England.[31]
- July 8, 2005 – The extratropical remnants of Hurricane Cindy produce moderate rainfall in northern Vermont, generally within the range of 1 to 3 in (25 to 76 mm).[32]
- August 31, 2005 – The remnants of Hurricane Katrina drop up to 4.17 in (106 mm) of rain and cause gusty winds that blew trees and tree limbs, primarily across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.[6][33]
- September 17, 2005 – Tropical Storm Ophelia brushes Massachusetts with gusty winds and heavy rainfall.[34]
- October 7, – October 12, 2005 – The remnants of Tropical Storm Tammy and Subtropical Depression Twenty-Two contribute to the Northeast U.S. flooding of October 2005, which killed 10 people[35][36] and contributed to the wettest month on record in locales throughout the Northeastern United States.[37]
- June 15, 2006 – The extratropical remnants of Tropical Storm Alberto drop rainfall throughout the region, peaking at 1.98 in (50 mm) at Windsor Locks, Connecticut.[6]
- July 21, 2006 – Tropical Storm Beryl makes landfall on Nantucket, generating waves 10 feet (3 m) in height as the storm approached the island.[38] Light rainfall and gusty winds were also reported there, and in portions of Massachusetts.[39]
- September 3, 2006 – The extratropical remnants of Hurricane Ernesto drop light rainfall; 1.72 in (44 mm) of precipitation is reported at Marlboro, Vermont.[6]
- June 4, 2007 – The extratropical remnants of Tropical Storm Barry enter the region, producing moderate rainfall that peaked at 3.19 inches (81 mm) at Taunton, Massachusetts.[40]
- November 3, 2007 – As an extratropical hurricane, Hurricane Noel hits coastal Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine with hurricane-force wind gusts of up to 89 mph (143 km/h). with sustained winds topping out at 59 mph (95 km/h).[41] Power outages were widespread; about 80,000 customers in Massachusetts and 9,000 in Maine lost electric power, mostly on Cape Cod.[42] Heavy rainfall, high seas, and coastal flooding also occurred.[43]
- September 6, 2008 – Tropical Storm Hanna makes landfall at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and proceeds northeastward through the Mid Atlantic states and New England, dropping moderate to heavy rainfall and spawning gusty winds across southern New England.[44]
- September 15, 2008 – The remnants of Hurricane Ike reach northern New England, though no effects are reported.[45]
- September 28, 2008 – Hurricane Kyle passes to the east as it heads towards Canada, affecting Maine with heavy rainfall and gusty winds that caused scattered power outages.[46] Up to 7.15 in (182 mm) of precipitation falls in Hancock County, Maine.[47]
- August 21, 2009 – Hurricane Bill passes just offshore of New England causing very heavy surf, and a period of rain and gusty winds over Southeastern Massachusetts.
- August 29, 2009 – Tropical Storm Danny passed over Nantucket as an extra-tropical storm, causing up to 2 inches of rain in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and brought wind gusts up to 60 mph off the coast of Nantucket and Maine.
- November 12, 2009 – Hurricane Ida, after hitting the northeast gulf coast as a tropical storm, redeveloped off the Carolina coast as a strong nor'easter, bringing severe damage as far north as New Jersey, where severe flooding, beach erosion, and strong winds were reported. As the center of the storm moved out to sea, a batch of moisture broke off of it, and moved north, bringing moderate rain to New England. The storm caused millions of dollars in damage.
- September 4, 2010 – Hurricane Earl passed about 90 miles offshore, but still brought heavy rain, large waves, and tropical storm force gusts to Cape Cod. The heaviest rain affected areas such as Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and areas over Maine, while the strongest wind was a recorded gust of 58 mph near Hyannis, Massachusetts. Sustained winds were of 29 to 35 miles per hour, just at and below tropical storm force.[48]
- August 28, 2011 – Hurricane Irene weakened to a tropical storm immediately after landfall, produced high winds, heavy rains, and flash flooding especially in western New England. The storm left at least 16 people dead throughout New England, with ten deaths in Connecticut. The eastern quadrant of the Irene remained intact as that section had never transversed land and moved north-northeast across southern Bristol and Plymouth counties in Massachusetts. Winds at times reached hurricane force from Westport east to Woods Hole on the south coast.
- October 29–30, 2012 - Hurricane Sandy affected Southern New England with its outer bands producing heavy storm surge, winds, and rainfall before the storm's landfall in New Jersey. Sandy devastated the Jersey Shore, New York City, parts of Long Island and the Connecticut and Rhode Island coastlines. Flooding and power outages (roughly nine million customers total) lasted several days, while thousands of trees, telephone poles and traffic light stanchions were snapped. Estimates in excess of $50 Billion in property damage was left in Sandy's wake after it made landfall and its center went over Pennsylvania and New York. Sandy killed 5 people in New England (4 in Connecticut and 1 in New Hampshire). To the west, Sandy dumped 2 to 4 feet of snow in the Appalachian Mountain region and flatlands.
- October 2-5, 2015 - Hurricane Joaquin, at one point forecasted to make a landfall in New England, eventually passes offshore and produces high surf along Cape Cod and Nantucket.
Landfalls
Note: A landfall in New England only occurs if the center of the storm comes ashore in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut as they all share a coastline.
New England hurricanes have made landfall on many occasions. Normally, due to cold waters and fast-moving winds, hurricanes do not last long so the ones that do make landfall are normally weak, with category 3 being rare.[49]
The following tables are a list of those hurricanes that did make landfall in New England:
19th century
The 19th century saw a few notable storms. In 1869 an intense Category 3 hurricane struck Southeastern New England. Also making landfall were the Saxby Gale, San Felipe Hurricane, Gale of 1878, and the Sea Islands Hurricane. Since hurricanes were not named and fewer records were kept at the time, the information on some of the storms remains incomplete.
Storm | Category | Season | Date of landfall | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Peak intensity | Intensity at landfall | |||
Hurricane Six | Category 3 | Category 3 | 1869 | September 9, 1869 |
1869 Saxby Gale | Category 2 | Category 2 | 1869 | October 4, 1869 |
Hurricane Five | Category 1 | Tropical Storm | 1872 | October 27, 1872 |
Hurricane Six | Category 1 | Tropical Storm | 1874 | September 30, 1874 |
San Felipe Hurricane | Category 3 | Tropical Depression | 1876 | September 19, 1876 |
Unnamed | Category 3 | Extratropical Storm | 1877 | October 5, 1877 |
Gale of 1878 | Category 2 | Extratropical Storm | 1878 | October 24, 1878 |
Hurricane Two | Category 3 | Category 1 | 1879 | August 19, 1879 |
Tropical Storm Eleven | Tropical Storm | Extratropical Storm | 1880 | October 23, 1880 |
Hurricane Three | Category 3 | Tropical Storm | 1888 | August 22, 1888 |
Tropical Storm Five | Tropical Storm | Extratropical Storm | 1888 | September 12, 1888 |
Hurricane Six | Category 1 | Category 1 | 1888 | September 26, 1888 |
Hurricane Six | Category 2 | Tropical Storm | 1889 | September 25, 1889 |
Hurricane Four | Category 3 | Category 1 | 1893 | August 24, 1893 |
1893 Sea Islands Hurricane | Category 3 | Tropical Storm | 1893 | August 29, 1893 |
Hurricane Five | Category 3 | Category 1 | 1894 | October 10, 1894 |
20th century
The 20th century saw eight hurricanes making landfall in New England; out of these the more notable include the New England Hurricane of 1938 (also called the Long Island Express), which made landfall as a major hurricane;[50] Hurricane Carol did the same sixteen years later.[51] The last hurricane to make landfall in New England was Hurricane Bob in 1991 as a moderate category 2 hurricane with the highest sustained winds of 100 MPH.[52]
Storm | Category | Season | Date of landfall | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Peak intensity | Intensity at landfall | |||
1938 New England hurricane | Category 5 | Category 3 | 1938 | September 21, 1938 |
1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane | Category 4 | Category 1 | 1944 | September 15, 1944 |
Hurricane Able | Category 2 | Tropical Depression | 1952 | September 1, 1952 |
Hurricane Carol | Category 3 | Category 3 | 1954 | August 31, 1954 |
Hurricane Edna | Category 3 | Category 1 | 1954 | September 11, 1954 |
Hurricane Diane | Category 3 | Tropical Storm | 1955 | August 18–19, 1955 |
Hurricane Cindy | Category 1 | Tropical Storm | 1959 | July 11, 1959 |
Hurricane Donna | Category 4 | Category 2 | 1960 | September 12, 1960 |
Hurricane Esther | Category 4 | Tropical Storm | 1961 | September 26, 1961 |
Hurricane Alma | Category 3 | Extr. Storm | 1966 | June 13, 1966 |
Tropical Storm Doria | Tropical Storm | Tropical storm | 1971 | August 29, 1971 |
Hurricane Agnes | Category 1 | Tropical Storm | 1972 | June 22, 1972 |
Tropical Storm Carrie | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm | 1972 | September 3, 1972 |
Subtropical Storm Alfa | Tropical Storm | Subtropical Storm | 1973 | July 30, 1973 |
Hurricane Belle | Category 3 | Tropical Storm | 1976 | August 10, 1976 |
Tropical Storm Henri | Tropical Storm | Tropical Depression | 1985 | September 23, 1985 |
Hurricane Gloria | Category 4 | Category 1 | 1985 | September 27, 1985 |
Tropical Storm Chris | Tropical Storm | Tropical Depression | 1988 | August 29, 1988 |
Hurricane Bob | Category 3 | Category 2 | 1991 | August 19, 1991 |
Hurricane Bertha | Category 3 | Tropical Storm | 1996 | July 13, 1996 |
Hurricane Floyd | Category 4 | Tropical Storm | 1999 | September 16–17, 1999 |
21st century
So far in the 21st century five tropical cyclones have made landfall in New England. The first was Tropical Storm Hermine in 2004 which affected southeastern Massachusetts with minimal damage. In 2006 Tropical Storm Beryl struck Nantucket, again with minimal damage. Tropical Storm Barry in 2007 made landfall as a remnant extratropical storm which caused heavy rainfall and flooding. In 2009 Tropical Storm Danny made landfall in New England as an extratropical storm. Hurricane Irene weakened to a tropical storm before striking Connecticut. It caused significant damage in New England, especially in Connecticut and Vermont, and was the strongest storm to affect the region so far this century with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.
Storm | Category | Season | Date of landfall | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Peak intensity | Intensity at landfall | |||
Tropical Storm Hermine | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm | 2004 | August 31, 2004 |
Tropical Storm Beryl | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm | 2006 | July 21, 2006 |
Tropical Storm Barry | Tropical Storm | Extr. Storm | 2007 | June 4, 2007 |
Tropical Storm Danny | Tropical Storm | Extr. Storm | 2009 | August 29, 2009 |
Hurricane Irene | Category 3 | Tropical Storm | 2011 | August 28, 2011 |
Deadliest storms
Some tropical cyclones that have impacted New England have resulted in fatalities in the region. The most notorious and deadly of these storms is the 1938 New England hurricane which killed between 682 and 800 people. This list includes all tropical cyclones that have resulted in at least 10 deaths in New England. Some storms may be excluded or their death toll may be inaccurate due to a lack of available data at the time.
Name | Year | Number of deaths |
---|---|---|
1938 New England hurricane | 1938 | 682-800 |
1849 New England hurricane | 1849 | 143 |
1927 October tropical storm | 1927 | 85 |
October Gale of 1841 | 1841 | 81 |
Hurricane Carol | 1954 | 68 |
1778 New England hurricane | 1778 | 50-70 |
Unnamed | 1635 | 46+ |
1917 August tropical storm | 1917 | 41 |
Unnamed | 1815 | 38+ |
Hurricane Edna | 1954 | 21 |
Hurricane Irene | 2011 | 16 |
Hurricane Bob | 1991 | 14 |
See also
- List of New Jersey hurricanes
- List of Canada hurricanes
- List of New York hurricanes
- Effects of Hurricane Isabel in New York and New England
- Effects of Hurricane Noel in New England
References
- ↑ Donnelly, Jeffrey P.; et al. (2001). "700 yr Sedimentary Record of Intense Hurricane Landfalls in Southern New England". Geological Society of America Bulletin. 113 (6): 714–727. Bibcode:2001GSAB..113..714D. doi:10.1130/0016-7606(2001)113<0714:YSROIH>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0016-7606.
- ↑ Donnelly, J. P.; Ettinger, R.; Cleary, P. (2001): "Intense hurricane strikes in southeastern New England since A.D. 1000", American Geophysical Union. Bibcode: 2001AGUSM..OS52B05D
- 1 2 Snow, Edward Rowe. Storms and Shipwrecks of New England. 2003.
- ↑ Encyclopedia of hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones By David Longshore
- ↑ Chartuk, Bob (November 3, 1997). "New England Remembers 1927 Flood". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Roth, David M; Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (2012). "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall for the New England United States". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Point Maxima. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
- 1 2 Richard J. Pasch (1998). "Hurricane Danny Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 28, 2006.
- ↑ "Tropical Storm Danny Visits Portsmouth!". 1997. Retrieved December 28, 2006.
- ↑ National Weather Service (June 11, 1999). "Hurricane Danny damage reports". USA Today. Retrieved February 4, 2007. Check date values in:
|year= / |date= mismatch
(help) - 1 2 National Climatic Data Center (2001). "Event Record Details for Tropical Storm Allison in Connecticut". Retrieved May 26, 2006.
- ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2001). "Event Record Details for Tropical Storm Allison in Rhode Island". Retrieved May 26, 2006.
- ↑ "NCDC Event Details, Event #475001". National Climatic Data Center. September 11, 2002. Retrieved October 1, 2006.
- ↑ "NCDC Event Details, Event #467548". National Climatic Data Center. September 11, 2002. Retrieved October 1, 2006.
- ↑ "Heavy Rainfall Event Report for Vermont". National Climatic Data Center. 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
- ↑ "Hurricane Isidore Event Report for Vermont". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
- 1 2 Sean Collins and the Surfline Forecast Team (2003). "Wavetraks September 2003 Newsletter". Retrieved October 17, 2006.
- ↑ NCDC (2003). "Event Report for Vermont". Retrieved January 31, 2007.
- ↑ NCDC (2003). "Event Report for Vermont (2)". Retrieved January 31, 2007.
- ↑ NCDC (2003). "Event Report for Vermont (3)". Retrieved January 31, 2007.
- ↑ NCDC (2003). "Event Report for Vermont (4)". Retrieved January 31, 2007.
- ↑ NCDC (2003). "Event Report for Vermont (5)". Retrieved January 31, 2007.
- ↑ NCDC (2003). "Event Report for Vermont (6)". Retrieved January 31, 2007.
- ↑ World Meteorological Organization (2004). "Storm data and unusual weather phenomena, August 2004 (Kansas-Michigan)". Storm Data. Retrieved May 18, 2006.
- ↑ National Hurricane Center (2004). "Hurricane Charley Tropical Cyclone Report". Retrieved May 24, 2006.
- ↑ Paul Grimaldi (2004). "Hurricane may have contributed to swimmer's drowning at East Matunuck". The Providence Journal. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ↑ National Hurricane Center (2004). "Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Hermine". NOAA. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
- ↑ Beven (2004). "Hurricane Frances Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ↑ Associated Press (September 19, 2004). "Ivan rumbles through East, bringing death, destruction". USA Today. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ↑ "Hurricane Ivan Event Report for Connecticut". National Climatic Data Center. 2004. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ↑ "Hurricane Ivan Event Report for Massachusetts". National Climatic Data Center. 2004. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ↑ David Roth. "Rainfall Summary for Tropical Storm Arlene". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ↑ "Hurricane Cindy Event Report for Vermont". National Climatic Data Center. 2005. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ↑ "Hurricane Katrina Event Report for Massachusetts". National Climatic Data Center. 2005. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ↑ Associated Press (September 17, 2005). "Massachusetts Spared From Ophelia". Fox News. Retrieved October 12, 2008. Check date values in:
|year= / |date= mismatch
(help) - ↑ National Hurricane Center (2006). "Tropical Cyclone Report: Subtropical Depression Twenty-Two" (PDF). NOAA. Retrieved February 14, 2006.
- ↑ National Hurricane Center (2006). "Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Tammy" (PDF). NOAA. Retrieved February 14, 2006.
- ↑ "1010 WINS: October Was Wettest Month On Record". Retrieved December 3, 2005.
- ↑ NASA/GOES Project Office (2006). "Beryl's Effect on Nantucket Island, Mass". Retrieved May 22, 2007.
- ↑ Richard Pasch (2006). "Tropical Storm Beryl Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
- ↑ Fracasso (2007). "Public Advisory Number 14 for Remnants of Barry". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved June 3, 2007.
- ↑ John Basile (2007). "Storm batters Cape, electric service hard hit: recovery under way". Wicked Local Barnstable. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
- ↑ Associated Press (November 5, 2007). "New Englanders clean up after remnants of Hurricane Noel". USA Today. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
- ↑ Brown, Daniel P; National Hurricane Center (December 17, 2007). Hurricane Noel (PDF) (Tropical Cyclone Report). United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
- ↑ Roth, David M; Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (2008). "Rainfall Summary for Hurricane Hanna". Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
- ↑ Tom Skilling (2008). "Rain finally lets up, but major flooding continues". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
- ↑ Associated Pres (2008). "Weakened to storm, Kyle hits Canada coast". MSNBC News. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
- ↑ Caribou, Maine National Weather Service (2008). "Rainfall Totals for September 26–29, 2008". National Weather Service. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
- ↑ MacQuarrie, Brian; Finucane, Martin (September 4, 2010). "Earl doesn't lay a glove on Mass". The Boston Globe.
- ↑ "New England Hurricanes". www.geo.brown.edu. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
- ↑ http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/hurricane/hurricane1938.shtml
- ↑ http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/hurricane/hurricaneCarol.shtml
- ↑ http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/hurricane/hurricaneBob.shtml
External links
- Basic information on hurricanes
- Marine info
- Bishop Valentine, Sarah. Hurricanes in New England 1635-1996: A Technical Paper. 1996