Block Island’s last lighthouse keepers recall the ’38 hurricane that nearly killed them all

Block Island’s Deadly Hurricane Strike of 1938

On September 21, 1938, New England got hit with no time to run. A Category 3 hurricane raced in at 50 mph, catching Block Island in its path.

The storm packed winds of 91 mph that peaked at 121 mph gusts. High tides made things worse as 15-foot storm surges swamped the coast.

Boats sank. Roofs flew. Phone lines fell.

In just hours, the hurricane killed nearly 700 people across New England, with several deaths on Block Island alone.

Today, the Southeast Lighthouse still stands where keepers once hand-cranked its massive lens for days after the storm knocked out all power.

Weather Forecasters Got It Completely Wrong

Weather experts thought the hurricane would curve eastward into the Atlantic, making folks on Block Island feel safe. But the storm had other plans.

It sped up to a shocking 50-60 mph, giving people almost no warning. Most Block Islanders woke up on September 21, 1938, to what looked like a regular fall day.

The sky showed few signs of the monster storm racing toward them.

Without modern tracking systems, many went about their morning routines, completely unaware that their lives would change forever in just a few hours.

The Storm Crashed Into New England Without Warning

The hurricane hit Long Island and southern New England on September 21, 1938. People back then had no weather apps, satellite images, or phone alerts.

Block Island felt the storm’s power by early afternoon as skies darkened and winds picked up fast. Weather tools on the island showed pressure dropping to record lows.

Weather experts knew something bad was happening, but with poor communication systems, most residents couldn’t get this important information in time.

Winds Powerful Enough to Snap Trees Like Twigs

Block Island faced steady winds of 91 mph and gusts reaching 121 mph. The hurricane grew larger as it moved north, covering the entire island.

Trees that stood for decades fell first, along with power poles that broke easily and smaller buildings that couldn’t handle such force.

Survivors said it sounded like a freight train roaring across the island for hours, making it impossible to hear anything else.

Bad Timing Made Everything Worse

The hurricane struck during fall equinox when tides run higher than normal.

This timing created huge storm surges between 12 and 15 feet that easily overwhelmed seawalls and natural barriers.

Much of Block Island sits low, leaving large areas open to flooding. Water rushed inland, filling streets and homes within minutes.

Salt water ruined wells and farmland. The mix of high tides and hurricane winds created conditions that caused maximum damage.

Boats Ended Up Where Boats Should Never Be

The island’s harbor was torn apart. Docks vanished, swept away by wind and waves.

Fishing boats that many islanders depended on for their living were lifted by massive waves and thrown onto land or smashed against rocks.

People found some boats hundreds of yards inland after the storm.

The ferry terminal, Block Island’s connection to the mainland, was completely destroyed. Without these marine links, the island became cut off right when help was needed most.

Homes Torn Open Like Paper Boxes

Houses across Block Island lost roofs or fell down completely as the hurricane hit. The historic Southeast Lighthouse, standing since 1875, got badly damaged but somehow stayed standing.

Windows all over the island broke under pressure, letting wind and rain pour inside and ruin furniture, family keepsakes, and everything else.

The island’s hotel, stores, and public buildings suffered too. The storm damaged new buildings and century-old structures equally.

Cut Off From The World When Help Was Needed Most

Every telegraph and telephone line connecting Block Island to the mainland broke in the high winds. Radio equipment stopped working as power went out across the island.

Residents found themselves totally cut off, with no way to report what happened or ask for help. This created another crisis, as mainland officials had no idea how bad things were on Block Island.

This blackout lasted for days, making rescue and relief work much harder to plan. Mainland people could only guess the island’s condition.

Lives Lost in Nature’s Fury

Several Block Islanders died during the hurricane. Children who lived through the hurricane remembered it their whole lives.

Many more got hurt from flying debris, falling buildings, and trying to secure property or reach safety. The mental trauma hit just as hard as the physical damage.

Survivors talked about feeling helpless as they watched homes they built with their own hands get torn apart.

For many, the sudden change from normal day to fighting for survival left emotional scars that never fully healed.

Help Arrives By Sea

The first boats trying to reach Block Island left the day after the storm. These brave crews found an island changed by destruction.

Teams counted damaged buildings, checked on residents, and listed urgent needs. Emergency supplies soon followed: drinking water, food, medical supplies, and shelter materials.

Coast Guard ships played a key role, moving through waters still filled with debris.

Mainland communities, dealing with their own hurricane damage, still managed to gather supplies for their island neighbors.

Rebuilding an Island Piece by Piece

Block Island faced special challenges in rebuilding. Every board, nail, and tool had to come by boat from the mainland.

This slowed recovery compared to mainland towns. Construction crews worked through fall and into winter, racing against the coming cold weather.

The rebuilding process gave islanders a chance to strengthen structures against future storms. New buildings incorporated hurricane-resistant features.

The harbor was redesigned with stronger breakwaters.

Through the work, a stronger community spirit emerged as neighbors helped neighbors put their lives back together.

The Storm That Changed Hurricane Research

The 1938 hurricane became the measuring stick for all future New England storms.

Block Island’s landscape changed permanently, with significant erosion reshaping familiar coastlines. Beaches disappeared or shifted.

Ponds were created where none existed before. The hurricane pushed weather forecasting forward, as meteorologists studied what went wrong with their predictions.

Emergency management improved, with better warning systems and evacuation plans developed specifically for island communities.

Even today, when a hurricane threatens New England, old-timers still compare it to the Great Hurricane of ’38.

Visiting Block Island, Rhode Island

You can learn about the devastating 1938 Great Hurricane at the Block Island Historical Society Museum on Old Town Road, which displays hurricane artifacts alongside maritime exhibits.

The museum opens 10am-2pm during shoulder season and 10am-4pm peak summer.

For more hurricane history, climb Southeast Lighthouse at 122 Mohegan Trail for $15 guided tours.

Reach Block Island by ferry from Point Judith – traditional ferry costs $28-35 round-trip, high-speed ferry $56.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

Read more from this brand:

• Revolutionary War cannons vs. family loyalty: the strange Dorr Rebellion of Rhode Island in 1842
• Rhode Island’s flying horses survived burial in a hurricane and you can still ride them
• The exiled Puritan outcast who became the father of Rhode Island