Counting Down Connecticut's Top 10 Storms Part II
Which ten storms were the worst over the last 100 years? Share your storie below
By RYAN HANRAHAN
Updated 5:27 PM EST, Wed, May 6, 2009
<-- Back to Main Story (Storms #10 and #9)
Storm #8 - 1992 Nor'easter - December 11th-13th, 1992
Here are the facts:
- Highest recorded tide in Long Island Sound since Hurricane Carol in 1954
- 10.1 ft. high tide in Stamford was the 4th highest since 1893 (1893 Hurricane, Hurricane of '38, and Hurricane Carol were higher)
- Snowfall up to 30" measured in hill towns of northwest and northeast Connecticut
- One death due to coastal flooding
The wind began Thursday night, December 10th. Snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain pelted the state in one of the strongest nor'easters the state has ever seen. Astronomically high tide combined with a storm that stalled near Washington D.C. resulted in the worst coastal flooding Connecticut has seen from a nor'easter in recorded history. In fact, only 3 hurricanes in the last 120 years have produced a high storm surge on Long Island Sound.
Dozens of homes along the shoreline were completely destroyed with hundreds others damaged as strong winds drove a storm surge into Long Island Sound. The due easterly wind lasted for hours and hours preventing the tide from flowing out into the Atlantic Ocean, effectively piling the water up against Connecticut beaches.
While the shoreline dealt with what amounted to a late fall hurricane or strong tropical storm, inland Connecticut was buried in snow. Although the I-91 corridor saw little accumulation, the hills or northwestern and northeastern Connecticut were digging out of between one and two feet of snow. Some towns, like Norfolk, Union, and Woodstock measured snowfall amounts near 30". The 1992 nor'easter is the benchmark storm for coastal flooding on the shoreline, something shoreline residents will never forget.
For more information:
Stamford Hurricane Barrier Water Levels
Southern New England snowfall Totals
Storm #7 - Hurricane Carol - August 31, 1954
Hurricane Carol was the last category 3 hurricane to strike Connecticut. The storm came with some warning as local constables and police departments did their best to evacuate coastal communities before the hurricane hit. In the mid 1950s most of the Connecticut shoreline east of New Haven was dotted by small beach cottages, many of which were poorly built.
With winds of over 100 m.p.h., Carol struck with fury. Massive waves destroyed low lying beach front homes while wind gusts toppled trees and snapped power poles. People who ignored evacuation orders were rescued from flooded homes during the height of the storm. Carol weakened as it moved northeast across the state. Most of Carol's damage was limited to the shoreline in eastern Connecticut which suffered a direct hit from the storm. Carol made landfall near Old Saybrook and she brought a 10 to 15 foot storm surge into the coast of Middlesex and New London counties.
Just east of Connecticut, Carol's storm surge was more pronounced and did exceptional damage in Narragansett Bay. Downtown Providence was under 10 feet of water at the storm's height. Following the storm, hurricane barriers were constructed just south of Providence to keep the water out during the next major hurricane.
For more information:
National Weather Service Summary
Click for the next story (storms #6 and #5) -->
First Published: May 3, 2009 4:09 PM EST
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