Providence,Rhode Island's history with tropical systems
Current weather

(br)=brush (ts)=Tropical Storm (bd)=Back Door,meaning coming from over land from opposite coast.Not all names are noted,also storms before 1950 were not named.Not every stat on every storm description is given(since 1871).

Years within or near core
1872bdts,1874tsbd,1877bdxtropstbr,1878xtropstbdbr,1879,1880xtropstbr,1888bdts,1888ts,1893bdtsbr,1894ts,1896br,1897ts,1899xtropstbdbr,1902xtropst,1904,1908ts,1913xtoprstbr,
1916xtropst,1916br,1923ts,1934bdxtropstbr,1934ts,1936br,1938,1944,1954m,1954br,1960ts,1960,1961m,1961ts,1971ts,1972tsbr,1976tsbr,1985br,1991,1996ts,1999ts,2004bdts,2007xtropst,
2008tsbd,2011ts,2013bdxtropst,2017tsbr,2019subtsbr,2020bdtsbr,2021xts,2021ts
48 times in 152 yrs end of 2023





Names from list above
Carol,Edna,Brenda,Connie,Donna,Esther,Doria,Carrie,Belle,Gloria,Bob,Fran,Floyd,Charley,Barry,Hanna,Irene,Andrea,Jose,Melissa,Isaias,Elsa,Henri,

Tropical Storm to Hurricane ratio
TS=35, 72.92% H=13, 27.08%

Longest gap between storms
10 years 1924-1933

How often Providence gets affected?
brushed or hit every 3.17 years

Average years between direct hurricane hits in Providence.(hurricane force wind gusts for a few hours)
(8h)once every 19 years

Average years between major hurricane hits.(2)
once ev 76 years

Average MPH of hurricane hits. (based on advisories sustained winds, not gusts)
98mph

Statistically when Providence should be affected next
before the end of 2024

Last affected by
2021 Aug 22nd tropical storm Henri passes just west by 30 miles with 50mph winds while moving NNW.

Providence hurricane past
1879 Aug 19th, 80mph hurricane hits just south from the S.W area has a complete lull press 29.05.
1904 Sept 15th,extratropical hurricane hits from the SW with 85mph winds
1938 85mph Sept 22nd, 60 miles to the west 600 killed near this areas as they had gusts over 130mph press 27.94.Very high storm surge up to 30 ft,16 ft reported in Providence. System was moving at a forward speed of 38mph when it hit. Newspaper article #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | Maximum wind map | monument | surge animation | video | surge info
1944 Sept 15th, 110 mph(hurdat) from the SSW causes 11 inches of rain here.
1954 Carol Aug 31st 115mph(hurdat) just west while moving NNE with gusts to 130mph press 28.75 heavy damage from storm surge.200 homes destryed in Newport to the south & 60 killed. A storm tide of 14.8ft was observed. After this hurricane a wall was built to protect from storm surges. Newspaper article | Newspaper Headline | Newspaper Headline #2 | Dowtown providence flooding | Damage shot from Newport | Damage shot from Conimicut point | Maximum wind map
1960 hurricane Donna sept 12th passes by here just west with 95mph winds rapidly from the SSW press 28.55 moderate damage. Reports of 81mph from the south here | more here
1961 Sept 21st,Hurricane Esther loops just south of here with 120mph winds from the SSW. NHC Wallet
1991 Aug 19th Hurricane Bob passes just SE with 95mph winds while moving NNE. NHC Wallet


Stat sources: NHC Track maps/hurdat2/cyclone reports Hurricane research division
Text Sources:(alp)....Divine Wind Kerry Emanuel.....Florida Hurricanes & Tropical Storms John M. Williams & Iver W.Duedall.....Florida's Hurricane History Jay Barnes.....Hurricane Almanac Bryan Norcross.....hurricanecity.com (calculations) Jim Williams.....Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States Rick Schwartz.....Hurricane Watch Dr. Bob Sheets & Jack Williams.....Inside the Hurricane Pete Davies..... Isaac's Storm Erik Larson..... Killer Cane Robert Mykle.....Lunatic Wind William Price Fox....Miami Herald newspaper(microfilm).....Path of destruction John McQuaid & Mark Schleifstein.....Sun sentinel newspaper(microfilm).....The Major Hurricanes to affect the Bahamas Wayne Neely.....The Ship & the Storm Jim Carrier.....plus many more.............
See what cities get affected most by tropical systems
Home | Links | Live Broadcast page | Back to city Database