While Massachusetts is not a primary target for tropical systems like states along the Gulf Coast or Southeast, the threat of a hurricane making landfall is a real, albeit infrequent, danger. Tropical cyclones are categorized by wind speed, and the vulnerability of the state lies less in direct, high-category strikes and more in the destructive impacts of weakening storms and their remnants. Massachusetts is susceptible to the severe wind, rain, and storm surge that even a downgraded tropical system can deliver.
How Often Massachusetts is Impacted
Massachusetts experiences the effects of a tropical cyclone in its vicinity roughly once every four to five years. Historical data from 1842 to 2020 shows that 39 hurricane or tropical storm events have directly impacted the state or passed close enough to cause significant weather. While this frequency is low compared to Southern states, it represents a substantial long-term risk.
The distinction between a hurricane and a tropical storm is important in New England. Of those 39 storms, only three were Category 3, four were Category 2, ten were Category 1, and twenty-five were tropical storms upon impact or closely approaching the state. The last storm to make a direct landfall on New England as a hurricane was Hurricane Bob in 1991. Most storms that reach the region have weakened to a Tropical Storm or a Post-Tropical Cyclone, but they still carry enough moisture and wind to cause widespread damage.
The greatest risk from these systems is often not the wind, but the associated rainfall and storm surge. Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, for instance, caused devastating inland flooding in the region, even after its wind speeds had dropped. Major hurricane strikes, defined as Category 3 or higher, are rare, with a return period estimated to be several decades for the southern New England coastline.
Why Storms Lose Strength Approaching New England
Hurricanes are fueled by warm ocean water, needing sea surface temperatures of at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain their intensity. As tropical systems move northward up the Atlantic coast, they eventually encounter cooler waters north of the Gulf Stream. This rapid drop in water temperature, especially over the shallow continental shelf near New England, quickly robs the storm of its energy source.
When a storm moves over these cooler waters, it begins a process called extratropical transition, transforming from a warm-core tropical system to a cold-core extratropical system, similar to a powerful Nor’easter. This transition usually involves a weakening of the maximum sustained winds. However, the storm can simultaneously grow in size, spreading damaging winds and heavy rainfall over a much wider area. The storm’s precise track is also influenced by large-scale atmospheric patterns, particularly the position of the Bermuda High, which often steers hurricanes away from the coast and out into the open ocean.
Historical Storms That Caused Major Damage
Despite the natural tendency for storms to weaken, Massachusetts has been struck by several destructive cyclones. The Great New England Hurricane of 1938, often called the “Long Island Express,” was arguably the most destructive. This Category 3 storm struck with little warning, producing devastating storm surges of 18 to 25 feet along the coast from Long Island to Cape Cod. The storm destroyed nearly 9,000 buildings and caused hundreds of fatalities across Southern New England.
Hurricane Carol in 1954 was another powerful Category 3 storm that hit the region, bringing a massive 14-foot storm surge to New Bedford. Carol caused widespread destruction, ruining 40% of the state’s apple, corn, and peach crops, and destroying thousands of cars and boats across New England.
More recently, Hurricane Bob in 1991 made landfall in Rhode Island as a Category 2 storm, but its impacts were severe across southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and the Islands. Bob generated a 10-to-15-foot storm surge in Buzzards Bay and caused nearly $680 million in damage across New England, with sustained hurricane-force winds reaching coastal communities.
Practical Steps for Storm Safety
Massachusetts residents, especially those in coastal communities, must prepare for the effects of storm surge and high winds. The state has implemented a “Know Your Zone” initiative, defining specific Hurricane Evacuation Zones designated as A, B, and C. Residents should use the interactive maps provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to determine if their home or workplace falls within one of these zones.
Zone A areas are at risk from storm surge associated with a Category 1 or 2 hurricane, while Zone B extends the risk to potential Category 3 or 4 strikes. An emergency kit should be assembled with non-perishable food, water, medications, and copies of important documents. If local or state officials issue an evacuation order, following those directions immediately is the safest course of action. Securing outdoor furniture and boats, clearing gutters, and planning an evacuation route are proactive measures to mitigate damage and ensure personal safety.