As we mark the anniversary of one of the most devastating storms ever to strike New England—the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, also known as the “Long Island Express”—we look back at its impact, the unique meteorological setup that led to the storm, and why it remains the benchmark hurricane for the region. We also consider what it would be like if a similar storm were to strike today, exploring the potential impacts on modern infrastructure, power grids, and communities across New England and New York.
The Great New England Hurricane of 1938, a Category 3 storm, developed near the Cape Verde Islands on September 4, 1938, and took a remarkable 12-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean. By September 21, 1938, this powerful hurricane slammed into the southern coast of Long Island at an incredible forward speed of 50 mph—one of the fastest-moving hurricanes ever recorded. The storm’s speed and track over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream allowed it to maintain its intensity as it barreled north toward New England.
The center of the storm first made landfall in Suffolk County, Long Island, before moving into Milford, Connecticut, with its eye passing directly over New Haven, Connecticut. Most hurricanes weaken before reaching New England’s cooler waters, but the Long Island Express maintained its strength, delivering widespread hurricane-force winds across the region.
The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 remains the benchmark storm for the region because of its extraordinary power, speed, and the sheer destruction it left behind. With limited forecasting capabilities at the time, many residents were caught by surprise, underestimating the hurricane’s impact. By the time people realized the storm’s severity, it was too late to prepare adequately.
The storm delivered sustained winds of 121 mph at the Blue Hill Observatory in Massachusetts, with an astounding gust of 186 mph—the strongest wind ever recorded in the region. Block Island saw sustained winds of 91 mph and gusts of 121 mph, while Providence, Rhode Island, recorded sustained winds of 100 mph with gusts up to 125 mph. These winds wreaked havoc on homes, trees, and infrastructure across New England.
The hurricane’s storm surge was one of its most destructive forces, with coastal areas experiencing storm tides between 14 and 18 feet along the Connecticut coast and 18 to 25 feet from New London to Cape Cod. Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island took the worst hit, with a storm surge of 12 to 15 feet obliterating homes, marinas, and yacht clubs, while downtown Providence was submerged under nearly 20 feet of water.
In Massachusetts, sections of Falmouth and New Bedford were inundated by up to 8 feet of water in just over an hour. The rainfall, which combined with a frontal system from earlier that week, led to record flooding in the Connecticut River Valley, where rainfall amounts of 10 to 17 inches caused the river to swell to unprecedented levels. Hartford, Connecticut, saw the river rise 19.4 feet above flood stage, while parts of Springfield, Massachusetts, were flooded by 6 to 10 feet above normal river levels.
In total, 564 people lost their lives, and over 1,700 were injured. The hurricane destroyed 8,900 homes and buildings, damaged over 15,000 more, and left entire communities without power for weeks. Coastal New England’s marine industry was decimated, with 2,600 boats destroyed and 3,300 damaged. Fires sparked by downed power lines in Connecticut further worsened the damage, as firefighters struggled to contain blazes in communities like New London and Mystic.
Ruth Bates of Warwick, RI, who was 18 at the time, recalled working at the Candy Kitchen in downtown Arctic, RI, [in West Warwick] as the storm approached. “It got dark like night, and the wind started howling. I thought the windows would blow out,” she remembered. Walking home after the storm passed, she described an eerie scene of downed trees and debris littering the streets. (story courtesy of the National Weather Service, Norton)
Matt Noyes’ own grandmother, who was also 18, shared a similar story. After leaving a movie theater in the afternoon, she found herself battling heavy rain, debris, and toppled telephone poles as she rushed home through the escalating storm. The sudden shift from calm to chaos was terrifying and unforgettable.
If a storm of the same magnitude struck New England today, the impacts would be even more catastrophic, despite modern advancements in weather forecasting and construction standards. New England is now home to a much larger population, and the extensive infrastructure and coastal development would make the storm’s effects even more widespread and costly.
With sustained winds above 100 mph and gusts over 120 mph, widespread power outages would be inevitable. Trees and utility poles would be downed, severing power lines across the region. While modern power companies have more sophisticated systems in place for managing outages, it could still take weeks or even months to fully restore power in the hardest-hit areas, especially in rural and coastal regions.
New England’s forests would suffer extensive damage, with countless trees uprooted and snapped, especially in urban areas and near homes. These downed trees would block roads, damage homes, and bring down power lines, making clean-up efforts overwhelming and delaying recovery.
Modern building codes offer more protection than in 1938, but the intense winds and storm surge from a hurricane of this magnitude would still cause significant structural damage. Many homes—especially older ones—could experience roof damage, flooding, and shattered windows. Coastal communities would face severe destruction from storm surges of 15 to 25 feet, wiping out beachfront homes, marinas, and piers. The economic losses would likely exceed tens of billions of dollars.
As seen in 1938, storm surge and flooding would devastate cities like Providence and Boston. Rising sea levels due to climate change would exacerbate these effects, causing even more severe flooding in low-lying areas. Critical infrastructure, including hospitals, public transportation, and emergency services, could be compromised, hampering recovery efforts.
Unlike in 1938, today’s meteorological technology would give us ample warning, allowing for evacuations and preparations. However, densely populated urban centers would still face challenges. Traffic congestion during evacuations, logistical hurdles, and the reluctance of some residents to leave would complicate efforts to get everyone out of harm’s way in time.
With inflation, increased property values, and more infrastructure, a modern-day hurricane of this magnitude could cause tens of billions of dollars in damage. The storm would disrupt businesses, tourism, and supply chains, with long-term economic consequences that could last for years.
As we reflect on this anniversary, it’s important to acknowledge the strength and resilience of those who lived through the storm, while also recognizing the ongoing need for preparedness as storms grow more frequent and powerful in a changing climate.
1DegreeOutside has conducted major hurricane landfall simulation exercises for companies in the Northeast United States, to prepare decision-makers and teams for what is, in modern times, nearly unimaginable. For more information and continuous updates on weather and preparedness, visit 1DegreeOutside.com or use the 1DegreeOutside mobile app.
