Remembering the Fury of Hurricane Bob and Other Storms

Today marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Bob, a category 2 storm that caused 17 deaths and approximately $1.5 billion in damages.

Due to the destructive nature of the hurricane, which is considered one of the costliest hurricanes in history, the name Bob was retired and was replaced with the name Bill.  

Featured above are photos provided by Fred Bridge, of Little Compton, that were taken at his uncle Carlton Brownell's house located at the corner of West Main Road and Meeting House Lane (411 West Main Road).

Bridge said the damage at his uncle's place was all tree damage. He said that at this location, several miles from Sakonnet Point, the winds were not strong enough to take off any roofs or do building damage.

The Stone Bridge, replaced by what is now the Sakonnet River Bridge, was no stranger to the destructive nature of hurricanes. It was damaged by the great 1938 hurricane and it was eventually destroyed by Hurricane Carol in 1954.

Also featured in the gallery is the Stone Bridge that connects Portsmouth to Tiverton, both in the past and today, and the influence these powerful storms have on our local infrastructure.

Here are some comments provided by Patch users on Hurricane Bob:

"I remember going to Famous Pizza in Tiverton and they were making pizzas or grinders using the headlights of vehicles shining in the windows. We were so hungry probably best grinder i ever had there. No power in tiv for a few days but went back to my apartment in the riv and had power the same night. The one time riv was better than tiv" from basinbaker.

"I remember it. I was going into 6th grade and a professional musician wrote a piece for our middle school band known as "Zephers." It was inspired by Hurricane Bob. We played it as a TMS 6th grade band and it seemed to go pretty well. I also remember seeing parts of the Nanaquacket inlet strewn about Main Rd between Nanaquacket Bridge and Evelynn's Drive Inn." from Josh Mello, on our Facebook page.

"Driving down to the breakwater at sakonnet and riding my bike over downed trees everywhere." from Keith Davoll, on our Facebook page.

Do you have any photos of Hurricane Bob or the damage caused by the storm? Add them to the gallery above.