Hurricanes are a regular feature of the Atlantic hurricane season, though their direct impacts vary significantly across coastal regions. While Gulf and southern Atlantic states experience these storms more frequently, Massachusetts has also felt their effects. The state’s unique geography and higher latitude mean direct hurricane landfalls are less common, but the region remains susceptible to their force. Understanding this history provides insight into the state’s vulnerability.
The Most Recent Significant Hurricane in Massachusetts
The most recent significant hurricane to impact Massachusetts was Hurricane Henri, which affected the region in August 2021. Henri strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on August 21, maintaining this intensity as it approached Southern New England. Although it weakened to a tropical storm just before making landfall in Westerly, Rhode Island, on August 22, its widespread effects were profoundly felt across Massachusetts.
The storm brought substantial rainfall, leading to widespread flooding across the state. Forecasts had anticipated 3 to 6 inches of rain across the region, with some isolated locations potentially receiving over 10 inches. Henri also caused extensive power outages throughout the state. While wind damage was less severe than the flooding, storm surge watches were issued for coastal sections of Massachusetts, highlighting the potential for dangerous inundation.
Historical Hurricanes in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a history of powerful hurricanes that have left lasting marks on the landscape and communities. One of the most devastating was the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, which struck on September 21. This Category 3 hurricane made landfall on Long Island, New York, and then in Milford, Connecticut, before racing northward across New England. The storm caused widespread destruction, with Massachusetts experiencing storm tides of 18 to 25 feet along Cape Cod, and sections of Falmouth and New Bedford submerged under 8 feet of water. The hurricane also led to severe river flooding in western Massachusetts, fueled by 3 to 6 inches of rain. The event resulted in over 564 fatalities across Southern New England and the destruction or damage of thousands of homes and boats.
Another notable event was Hurricane Carol in 1954, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on August 31, affecting southeastern Massachusetts. Winds reached between 80 and 110 miles per hour, with gusts recorded as high as 125 miles per hour. Carol generated a significant storm surge, with some coastal areas experiencing surges up to 13 feet, and New Bedford specifically recorded a 14.3-foot surge. The storm caused widespread power outages, affecting approximately one-third of the state, and nearly 12,000 homes were either damaged or destroyed. Agricultural losses were substantial, with crop damage estimated at $15 million.
Factors Influencing New England’s Hurricane Exposure
New England’s hurricane exposure is shaped by several meteorological and geographical factors. Hurricanes derive energy from warm ocean waters, and as they track northward into higher latitudes, they often encounter cooler Atlantic waters. This reduction in sea surface temperature deprives storms of the warm, moist air needed to sustain intensity, leading to weakening.
The interaction of hurricanes with land contributes to their dissipation. Once a hurricane makes landfall, it loses its oceanic energy source, and friction with the land surface disrupts its structure. Hurricane tracks in the Atlantic are also influenced by large-scale atmospheric patterns, such as the Bermuda High and the jet stream. These steering currents frequently guide storms away from the coast or push them into areas with increased vertical wind shear, which can break a hurricane apart. These factors explain why many hurricanes weaken or transition into post-tropical cyclones before reaching Massachusetts.