Last week I made a thread about the 1954 Atlantic Hurricane Season. In that thread I talked about all the named storms that occurred in that year. In addition, I also talked about how a La Nina and positive ASO combined to produce a busy season.

However, I briefly went into details about all the hurricanes. In 1954 there was a total of 4 destructive hurricanes. In this thread I'm going to be spotlighting Hurricane Carol. Carol was a destructive 1954 hurricane that impacted the states of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

A tropical low developed around the Bahamas on August 25th 1954. As the low slowly moved northward ships and weather observations reported 40-45 mph winds at the surface. The Hurricane Hunters flew into the low and determined a tropical storm had indeed developed. It was given the next name on the list which was Carol.

Late on August 26th Hurricane Hunters reported an eye had developed in the tropical storm. Before this the storm had strengthened to 70 mph, a strong tropical storm just shy of hurricane status. After an eye had developed the storm had strengthened to 80 mph. The Hurricane Hunters put out a bulletin that the hurricane was showing signs of intensifying.

Going over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream Carol strengthened to a 100 mph category 2 hurricane and the pressure had dropped significantly. The National Hurricane Center estimated pressure had dropped to 968 millibars. The hurricane brushed Cape Hatteras North Carolina but did not come ashore. On the other hand, weather instruments measured winds of 110 mph and a pressure of 960 millibars. This showed that Carol was still strengthening.

A trough caused Carol to accelerate into New England. Originally it was believed Carol made landfall in Connecticut/New York as a high end category 2 hurricane. However, ships around the area recorded surface winds of 116 mph and a pressure of 955 millibars. During the reanalysis project it was determined that Carol made landfall as a 115 mph category 3 hurricane, which made Carol a major hurricane, and the lowest pressure was 955 millibars.

It is believed that Carol achieved category 3 status off the North Carolina coast over the very warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Due to the acceleration the storm did not weaken despite going over cooler waters. When Carol came ashore disaster struck.

The powerful hurricane caused a dangerous storm surge over 10 feet along the Coast of New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The storm's surge killed several people. While Massachusetts was spared the storm surge they could not escape the winds. Weather observations in that state measured winds over 105 mph. For several hours Carol pounded NY, CT, RI, and MA with winds over 105 mph, flooding rains, and as I stated a storm surge (MA was not impacted by the storm surge).

The remnants of Carol moved into Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. At this point Carol had lost its tropical status. On the other hand, Carol was now a powerful non tropical low pressure. Winds over 80 mph was reported in these states along with flooding rains.

Overall, Carol killed 72 people over 60 of those deaths occurred in the states of NY, CT, and RI as well as MA. Half of the 60 deaths was due to the storm surge. In VT, NH, and ME 12 people were killed due to flooding rains, and dangerous winds. Damage was estimated to be $465 million dollars worth of damage.

In conclusion, Carol was a destructive category 3 hurricane that did severe damage in New England. Carol would be 1 of 2 powerful hurricanes to strike New England. A few weeks later another powerful hurricane would add insult to injury. Carol is often compared to the 1938 New England express. The 1938 Hurricane Made landfall in New York and Connecticut with winds estimated at 120 mph. Carol is still talked about to this day even though it has been 70 years.

Also, Hurricanes Gloria and Bob which also impacted the same reason have been compared to this hurricane. Due to the amount of deaths and destruction the name Carol would eventually be retired. When the new naming list where developed a lot of past destructive hurricanes had their names retired. In fact, Carol was technically the first hurricane to have its name retired. 1954 would be a deadly year for hurricanes as 3 powerful hurricanes would strike the USA and 2 of those would strike New England. Another hurricane that was destructive would impact Mexico. Thus, Carol was the 2nd of 4 destructive hurricanes in 1954.