On September 21, 1938, a powerful hurricane came ashore on Long Island and then swept into New England, becoming known as the Great New England Hurricane. The storm brought extremely high winds and storm surges to coastal communities in New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. An estimated 500 to 700 people were killed. The hurricane also caused major property damage and disrupted transportation and communication networks. It prompted later improvements in weather forecasting and emergency preparedness in the region.
