A Look Back at Hurricane Carol

The John T. Pierce Collection at the Portsmouth Free Public Library contans hundreds of historic photographs of the town. Among them are pictures taken of past hurricanes, including Hurricane Carol. 

Hurricane Carol, a Category 3, was a fast-moving storm that flooded the lower-lying areas and damaged many properties.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Carol formed near the central Bahama Islands on Aug. 25, 1954, and moved slowly northward and north-northwestward.

By Aug. 30, the fast-moving hurricane was positioned about 100-150 miles east of Charleston, SC. The very next day, Carol crossed New England into Canada. 

The hurricane sustained winds of 80 to 100 mph and caused damage throughout Rhode Island. Block Island reported a peak gust of 130 mph.

According to the NWS, storm surge flooding occurred along the New England coast from Long Island northward, with water depths of 8 to 10 feet reported in downtown Providence.

While Rhode Island prepares for the unexpected with Hurricane Earl, Patch takes a look back at this hurricane of 1954.