Newswise — Art DeGaetano, Cornell professor of climatology and the director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Northeast Regional Climate Center at Cornell University, says insight into the potential impact of Hurricane Earl can be found in several infamous 20th century storms.

DeGaetano says:

“It is interesting to look at past storms to get a perspective on the potential impacts associated with hurricanes that have taken a track similar to Earl’s.

“For instance, Hurricane Bob in 1991 made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane in Rhode Island. With this track, high winds and heavy surf were the main impacts associated with Bob. Although the maximum sustained winds at Boston were only 46 mph, winds in excess of 80 mph were reported in Rhode Island near the storm’s eye. This is a good example of the how small changes in the exact track of Earl can result in vastly different impacts.

“Hurricane Gloria in 1985 was a notable recent hurricane in that it made landfall on heavily populated Long Island, well west of the projected path of Earl. Wind along with heavy surf and storm surge was again one of the biggest impacts of Gloria. These winds resulted in widespread power disruptions.

“Perhaps Hurricane No. 13 in 1936 was the historical storm that most closely matches Earl’s projected path. It brushed Cape Code as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing winds of almost 90 mph to Boston. Little mention was made this storm’s impacts in New York, except for many trees being blown down and boats being washed ashore along Long Island’s inland bays. However, in southern New England, the storm was described as a great tragedy with great damage caused by high winds, heavy rains and high tides. The heaviest damage was confined to central and southern Connecticut, Rhode Island and in Massachusetts south of Boston. Some locations reported as much as 8 inches of rain.”

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