Hurricane Carol

Hurricane Carol was a category 3 hurricane that battered New England in 1954. Carol formed as a tropical storm near the Bahamas on August 25 and became a hurricane over the next few days, making landfall on Long Island, New York with winds approaching 120 mph. It swept from Connecticut through central New England towards the coast, and is considered the worst storm in the history of Cape Cod. It went as far north as Maine before September 1, diminishing as it swept up into Canada. Carol took as many as 65 lives, ranking it as the 19th deadliest storm and 10th costliest hurricane in US history as of 2002.[1] Recorded wind gusts were up to 135 mph at Block Island, Rhode Island and the lowest recorded pressure was at Suffolk County Airport with a reading of 28.36. The greatest storm surge was 14.4 feet at Narragansett Bay, and damage would have been worse if the landfall hadn't occurred just after high tide.[2]

Nearly 4000 homes, 3500 automobiles, and over 3000 boats were destroyed. The terrible damage that Carol did to New England would not be surpassed until Hurricane Bob in 1991.

The name Carol was retired and shall never be used for a hurricane again.