Hurricane 1938 Flood Level - Bristol, RI
Posted by: NorStar
N 41° 40.548 W 071° 16.706
19T E 310344 N 4616289
This marker found on a house in Bristol, RI, shows the level of seawater during the Hurricane of 1938, the worst to ever hit Narragansett Bay.
Waymark Code: WM6943
Location: Rhode Island, United States
Date Posted: 04/26/2009
Views: 25
The Hurricane of 1938 still is used as a benchmarks of one of the worst hurricanes to have slammed into Rhode Island and New England, in general. The hurricane trajectory allowed it to push built up water in the ocean into Narragansett Bay, flooding out Providence,Rhode Island at the very top and surrounding communities all along the bay. Since then several hurricane barriers have been built to protect Providence, but communities such as Bristol are still vulnerable. The link provided is to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration web site on the storm.
This marker is on the Hearth House Bed and Breakfast on Hope Street, about 100 feet south of the intersection where Thames Street splits from Hope Street. The house is about 250 ft from the bay shore, and not that much higher - maybe 20-30 feet above the water level. The marker stands about 5 feet high from the sidewalk.
Bristol, RI, Walking Tour: (The Hearth House is No. 14).
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visit link)