Many residents are worried, so they research, “Is Hurricane Lee going to hit Massachusetts?” This is a valid concern, and you need to research to know when a hurricane is coming your way so you can prepare adequately for it to protect your family and property.
Massachusetts experiences occasional hurricanes, so many residents worry about Hurricane Lee, which will be the center of this article.
Here is a closer look to understand where the hurricane came from and what areas it will hit to keep you ready for it;
Is Hurricane Lee Going To Hit Massachusetts
Hurricane Lee hit between September 5th and 19th of 2023, and it did not hit Massachusetts, but the area felt its effects. A hurricane watch was issued for the New England coastline from Rhode Island to Cape Cod.
It passed close to Massachusetts and caused heavy rains, flooding, and minor water damage, but it didn’t claim any lives. It affected the economy as it was predicted to hit the area.
Hurricane Lee’s Effects on Massachusetts
The hurricane warning was taken seriously in Massachusetts, and civilians pulled their boats from the water in Nantucket or put them in protected harbors. Hy-Line cruises between Hyannis and Martha’s Vineyard were canceled for public safety.
The Boston Mayor opened an emergency operations center on September 15th, and they drafted plans to install sandbags and flood walls if necessary.
Boston PD and the Fire Department were on high alert to help any civilians should the hurricane hit harder than expected.
The Massachusetts Governor announced a State of emergency on September 15th due to the hurricane’s effects. She deployed 50 members of the National Guard with high water maneuverability to anticipate rescues from floods.
Logan International Airport delayed and canceled numerous flights, with some routes being eliminated because of the high winds. This readiness ensured that all the people stayed safe and there was minimal property damage.
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The Worst Hurricanes in Massachusetts In The Last Century
Massachusetts is a relatively calm place regarding weather patterns, but it has experienced its fair share of bad weather over the last century.
Its worst hurricanes hit between 1900 and 2000, and we shall review each of them and the impact they had on the environment and people;
1. Hurricane Bob- 1991
Hurricane Bob developed in the Central Bahamas on August 16th, 1991, but it moved to the east coast and intensified. It hit Rhode Island, Block Rock, and by August 19th, it had gotten to Massachusetts.
It had died down, and by the time it hit, it was only a category 2, so it wasn’t the worst in terms of storm surges and wind speeds. Hurricane Bob is on this list because of the wide spread damage it dealt to the coastal development.
The New England area experienced extensive damage worth about $680 million, with Massachusetts taking a $39 million hit. Hurricane-force winds hit most Southeast areas, sometimes peaking at 100 mph.
North Truro and Brewster had it worse, with wind speeds of over 125 mph, so they experienced the most damage.
The storm tore down trees and utility poles, which left over 60% of the Massachusetts population without power.
The storm surged up to 15 feet in Buzzards Bay, which led to coastline erosion and the destruction of homes and boats in the docks. Mattapoisett also experienced a lot of damage with over 80 homes being destroyed.
2. Hurricanes Edna and Carol- 1954
1954 was a lousy year for Massachusetts since two category 3 hurricanes hit it in under two months, which led to one of the most devastating times for the area. Carol hit first in August, formed in the Bahamas, and progressed north to finally hit on August 13th.
The hurricane devastated the eastern side of Massachusetts with winds of about 100 mph, which was enough to tear down trees and power lines. The winds further destroyed Cape Cod, ruining nearly half of the corn, tomato, apple, and peach crops.
This did a lot of damage to Massachusetts’s economy, and it would require several seasons to recover. The storm surge from Carol caused a lot of flooding in Massachusetts, with the worst being in New Bedford and Somerset.
New Bedford’s surge was over 15 feet, and the surrounding areas in central and north Massachusetts got about 6 inches of rain. The hurricane destroyed 3500 cars, 4000 homes, and 3000 boats, along with phone and power service lines.
Hurricane Edna hit slightly to the east on September 11th with winds that peaked at around 120 mph. Cape Cod and parts of eastern Massachusetts lost power because of the storm. The surge of over 6 feet caused flooding on Cape Cod Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
Carol had eroded the beaches just a few weeks prior, so the areas were more vulnerable, and Edna did more damage.
At the same time, approximately 6 inches of rainfall covered most of Massachusetts, with the northeast getting 7 inches.
The area suffered significant damage since it was still saturated from the rains caused by Carol, so there was more flooding. The storm killed 21 people in the New England area, along with millions of dollars worth of damages.
3. The Great New England Hurricane
The Great New England Hurricane is undoubtedly the worst hurricane to hit Massachusetts in the last century. It grew off Cape Verde and moved over the Gulf Stream to eventually crash into Long Island on September 21st.
The winds were mighty, with the Blue Hill observatory getting up to 186 mph gusts. These winds damaged many trees, crops, and roofs, and power outages in most areas for weeks.
The storm surge was historic, and it led to foot tides measuring about 25 feet in Cape Cod and New London. Western Massachusetts got around 6 inches of rain, and the Connecticut River in Springfield rose by 10 feet.
The hurricane destroyed 8900 buildings and damaged 15000. It also destroyed over 5900 commercial and private boats in the surrounding regions. It claimed the lives of 564 people and injured 1700 in Southern New England alone.
A map showing all the hurricanes that landed in New England from 1851-2023
How To Prepare For A Hurricane
Hurricane preparedness is important when you move to a new area prone to such events. Knowing how to keep yourself, your family, and your property safe to continue with your lives is essential. Here is a complete guide on hurricane preparation;
Plan Everything
You should consider the possibility of needing an evacuation and prepare appropriately for it. Turn all all utilities, especially the gas and electricity, then follow the outlined community disaster preparedness plans.
Select a common meeting place to find each other, even without cell phones. Create a plan for your pets to make sure everyone makes it out of the storm.
Use Storm Shutters
Hurricanes have strong winds that carry debris like wood, glass, rocks, chunks of metal, and many other objects that could easily break through windows. The glass, rain, and wind could create a potentially life-threatening situation, so you must prevent the problem.
Protect all windows, skylights, and doors with shutters, plywood, or impact-resistant glass to keep the debris out and protect your family.
Clear Out the Outside
Trim large trees with old branches that could come off easily and damage your house. Trimming also reduces the surface area for the wind to push on, reducing the chances of the tree getting uprooted.
Take all toys, bikes, and tools into the garage or a secure storage option and secure other items like fountains and sculptures with burlap sacks. Move your car indoors and away from any power lines or trees that could fall on them.
Charge Your Devices, Then Unplug
Before the storm starts, you must fill up everything you might need. Charge your phones, fill up your car and generator, and get batteries for your torches.
This will allow you to get some light and heat should there be a power outage, which is standard in hurricanes.
Move any appliances away from exterior windows in case the windows break or open in the wind. Unplug them and keep them in cabinets or closets where they can’t get damaged or cause accidents.
Get an Emergency Kit
You should have nonperishable foods, cash, bottled water, toiletries, and clothing to use if the storm goes on for long. Hurricanes can be unpredictable and cause more damage than anticipated, so you should be ready for all possibilities.
Get a high area like the first floor with enclosed windows to protect from the high winds and flood waters. If you live in a valley or low area, it is best to evacuate before a hurricane to ensure safety.
Conclusion
You now have the answer to the question, “Is Hurricane Lee going to hit Massachusetts?” Hurricane Lee hit Massachusetts in September 2016, with waves going up to 25 feet high at the coastline. Thanks to modern meteorology, the locals were able to adequately prepare.
This ensured there weren’t any lost lives, and it mitigated the damage to property despite being a powerful hurricane. Massachusetts has had several hurricanes over the last century, so residents have learned the best hurricane preparedness practices to keep them safe.
