B-13. HURRICANE OF SEPTEMBER Hi, 19Uh 



The peak of the wind-induced tidal surge of this hurricane 

 arrived shortly before the time of the predicted low tide and 

 therefore caused only moderately high stages. The water reached 

 an elevation of 3.6 feet above m.s.l. at Block Island, 6,6 feet 

 above iii.s.l. at Newport, and 9.9 feet above m.s.l. at Providence. 

 These elevations were U.O feet, 7.7 feet, and 11,6 feet, respec- 

 tively, above the predicted tidal heights (see Table B-k for 

 further data). 



Wind velocities during this hurricane were somewhat less than 

 in the September 1938 storm. A one-minute sustained velocity of 

 88 m.p.h. from the southeast was recorded at Block Island and of 

 k9 m.p.h. from the southeast at Hillsgrove, Rhode Island. Maximum 

 gusts in excess of 100 m.p.h, were experienced at Block Island 

 and in excess of 90 m.p.h. at Hillsgrove. The forward speed of 

 the hurricane near Narragansett Bay was about 30 knots (35 m.p.h.). 

 Additional pertinent data regarding this hurricane are contained 

 in Table B-U; the predicted and experienced tide curves at Newport 

 and Providence are shown in Plate B-2. 



B-Hi. HURRICME OF AUGUST 31, 195U (CAROL) 



This hiirricane caused tidal flooding in the Narragansett 

 Bay area about one foot below the September 1938 flood levels. 

 However, if the tidal surge had arrived at the same time as the 

 predicted high tide, instead of between 1 and 2 hours later, the 

 maximum high water would have been about 0,7 foot higher than 

 in 1938. The hurricane tide at Block Island reached a height 

 of 8.2 feet above m.s.l.; at Newport Harbor it attained an 

 elevation of 9.8 feet above m.s.l.; and at Providence, lli,7 

 feet above m.s.l. Relative to the heights of the predicted 

 tide at Block Island, Newport, and Providence, these eleva- 

 tions were, respectively, 6.3 feet, 8,1 feet, and 13.3 feet. 

 Table B-ii contains pertinent data on this storm. 



The wind attained a maximum one-minute sustained velocity 

 of 98 miles per hoTir from the southeast, with maximum gusts of 

 135 miles per hour at Block Island. A maximum one-minute 

 sustained wind velocity of 90 miles per hour from the east- 

 southeast, with maximum gusts of 10^ miles per hour, occurred 

 at Hillsgrove, Rhode Island. Minimum barometric pressures of 

 28,50 inches were recorded at Block Island and 28.79 inches 



B-11 



