Health & Fitness
The Time You Could Canoe Up West Broad Street
A brief description of Hurricane Carol's effects in Pawcatuck-1954,
This year coming marks the 58th anniversary of one of the costliest hurricanes in New England's history. Hurricane Carol. Sixteen years before, the Great Hurricane of 1938 hit the Stonington-Westerly Area without much warning, and destroyed the homes on Napatree Point, train tracks spanning Stonington Harbor, several stores, homes, and the Wequetequock Chapel.
Hurricane Carol caused very bad flooding. It ruined several stores in downtown Pawcatuck. Some recall helping Sebastian Shea at Shea's News Stand stacking items on higher shelves. They weren't paying attention, and the water level was already to the base of the store's windows. This was the case in many local stores in Pawcatuck.
Some people were stranded in town, and the only way to get to their houses without swimming was to climb to the railroad bridge, and walk down the railroad tracks.
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Others who lived in low-lying areas gathered at shelters such as the Italo-American Club, and the Firehouse.
According to www.nae.usace.army.mil, Hurricane Carol caused $1.09 million is damage in Pawcatuck when it hit in 1954. About $800,000 could have been prevented if there were barriers along the river.
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Also, even though many stores were hit hard in this hurricane, it would have been much worse if it weren't for the local boy scouts from Pawcatuck helping the store owners put merchandise on higher shelves.
In early summer, 1962, construction began on the seawall that now runs alongside the C.B. Cottrell & Sons Mill. This consisted of a concrete wall, earth filled wall, flood gates on Mechanic St. and a state-of-the-art pumping station. This project was completed the following year. This project cost $859,000.
Hurricane Carol caused severe damage in Pawcatuck. Now, we are better prepared for hurricanes than they were back then. If a hurricane ever hits Pawcatuck again, just think. It could be much worse without that seawall!
A special "thank you" to the following:
William Mitchell "The New London Day Sept 11th, 1954"
