19150

Your article reports that only two category 5 storms have hit our coastlines. We here in southern New England know that the “Hurricane of 1938” should be counted, too. The indirect evidence of the storm’s power is compelling. The only wind instrument, over 50 miles from landfall, recorded a gust of 189 miles per hour before being destroyed. The storm surge recorded by camera and recollection was in excess of 20 feet. Moreover, the eye traveled straight up Narragansett Bay, and after leveling Rhode Island’s South County, the storm surge flooded Providence, 30 miles away.

Charlene R. Stringham
Attleboro, Mass.