Anniversary Marks 1938 New England Hurricane, A Storm of Deadly Impact

Providence New Bedford, RI, September 21, 2026 —

September 21 marks the anniversary of the 1938 New England Hurricane, a storm of immense power that left a significant and deadly mark on the region. The hurricane, often referred to as the Great New England Hurricane or the Long Island Express, remains one of the deadliest tropical cyclones to strike the Northeastern United States.

The storm’s impact was widespread, causing extensive damage and claiming lives across several states. Its rapid intensification and unexpected track caught many communities by surprise. The full extent of its destructiveness included widespread flooding, uprooted trees, and the obliteration of infrastructure.

Among the many areas affected, Newport, Rhode Island, experienced particularly severe conditions. Historical records indicate that Newport recorded the highest water level observed during the entire event. This extreme surge underscores the devastating force of the hurricane as it made landfall and moved inland. The storm’s fury in coastal areas like Newport highlighted the vulnerability of communities situated along the Atlantic seaboard to such powerful meteorological phenomena.

The 1938 hurricane serves as a historical benchmark for storm intensity and impact in New England. Its anniversary serves as a reminder of the region’s susceptibility to severe weather events and the profound, lasting consequences they can have on communities. The event led to significant changes in weather forecasting and preparedness strategies over the subsequent decades, aiming to mitigate the impact of future major storms. The details regarding the exact number of fatalities and the total economic damage caused by the hurricane are extensive and well-documented in historical accounts of the disaster.

Story summarized from the original created by Ryan Belmore on whatsupnewp.com, see more information here.

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