On August 31st, 1954, Hurricane Carol came ashore on the coast of Newport, RI with a massive surge and winds of 115 mph.
In one hour, Carol destroyed 3,800 homes, sank or damaged 2,000 boats and yachts, and leveled almost all of the island’s powered and telephone lines.
While the storm was less powerful than the ’38 hurricane, Carol was still able to destroy many of Newport’s coastal attractions, such as the Merry-Go-Round at Easton’s Beach and Johnny’s Atlantic Beach Club. All of Rhode Island lost electrical power due to the storm, and 65 people were killed in Southern New England.
According to reports, the hurricane left in its wake over $200 million in property damage in Rhode Island alone, and electrical service was cut off for over six days.
Several of these photos are from the Newport Historical Society. For more information on what they do, visit www.newporthistory.org.
This story was originally published on August 31, 2015.
Yes Ryan I surely remember Hurricane Carol. I was 21 yrs old and had just started working at the Naval Base. The 38 hurricane I was only 5 and don’t remember too much. I fear we are in for a hurricane this year but praying we are lucky again.
I was 6yrs. old at the time of the Carol hit-watched a huge maple tree collapse flattening a’52 2dr Chevy on the street, also watched a wind spout level a single car garage across the street in the early morning. Quite damaging to say the least.
Westerly/Pawcatuck Ct: I was 6yrs old at the time of the Carol hit-observed a huge maple tree collapsed over a’52 2drvChevy on the street. Later that morning watch my first water-wind spout collapsed a single car garage structure across the street that morning. Power went out following the tree collapse.