New England hurricane of 1938

New England hurricane of 1938. Also known as the Long Island Express, this catastrophic Atlantic hurricane struck the Northeastern United States with little warning in September 1938. It remains one of the deadliest and most destructive tropical cyclones to ever impact the New England region. The storm caused widespread devastation from Long Island through Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and into Vermont and New Hampshire, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and profound economic damage.

Meteorological history

The system originated from a tropical wave that moved off the coast of West Africa in early September, developing into a tropical storm east of the Leeward Islands on September 9. It rapidly intensified as it moved northwestward, becoming a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale by September 19 while positioned east of the Bahamas. Unusually, the storm was steered northward by a blocking high-pressure system near Bermuda, preventing it from recurring out to sea. It accelerated to a forward speed of over 60 mph, making a direct landfall on Long Island as a high-end Category 3 hurricane on September 21. The storm maintained hurricane strength as it crossed Long Island Sound and made a second landfall in Connecticut, before moving through Massachusetts and dissipating over Canada.

Preparations and impact

Preparations were severely hampered by significant errors in forecasting from the United States Weather Bureau, which predicted the storm would curve harmlessly into the Atlantic Ocean. Warnings were issued too late for effective evacuation. The storm surge was catastrophic, exceeding 15 feet in some areas of Long Island and Rhode Island, completely sweeping away entire coastal communities like Napatree Point in Westerly, Rhode Island. The Blue Hills Observatory in Massachusetts recorded sustained winds of 121 mph. Inland flooding from torrential rain caused the Connecticut River and other waterways to overflow, devastating cities like Hartford. The storm caused an estimated 682 to over 800 deaths, destroyed more than 57,000 homes, and leveled vast tracts of forest, particularly in the White Mountain National Forest.

Aftermath and recovery

The recovery effort was massive and immediate, involving agencies like the American Red Cross, the Works Progress Administration, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. President Franklin D. Roosevelt toured damage in Connecticut and authorized substantial federal aid. The storm prompted major changes in policy, leading to the construction of improved coastal barriers and a complete overhaul of the United States Weather Bureau's hurricane forecasting and warning systems. The extensive damage to the northeastern timber industry had lasting economic effects, and the storm's ecological impact reshaped coastal landscapes, including the formation of new inlets on Long Island.

In popular culture

The hurricane has been the subject of numerous historical works and cultural references. It features prominently in Stephen King's novella *The Langoliers*, where it is a pivotal plot element. The storm is documented in Walter Drag's study *The Long Island Express* and is recalled in folk music from the region. It has been featured in episodes of television series like The Weather Channel's *Storm Stories* and serves as a benchmark event in disaster preparedness literature and local historical societies throughout New England.

See also

* 1938 Atlantic hurricane season * Hurricane Carol * Hurricane Sandy * Great Hurricane of 1938 * New England

Category:1938 meteorology Category:1938 in the United States Category:History of New England Category:Retired Atlantic hurricanes