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On October 31st 1991, a low pressure system, high pressure system, and
fading hurricane collided over the Atlantic Ocean, creating what became
known as The Perfect Storm. Originally called the Halloween
Storm or No-Name Hurricane, this tempest slammed the
eastern United States, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. 10 people tragically lost their
lives due to the storm.
The Perfect Storm rivaled the devastating Blizzard of '78. About 100 homes
along the Massachusetts coast were completely destroyed by The Perfect Storm.
Seven counties in Massachusetts were declared Federal Disaster Areas.
High tide was about four feet greater than normal, and 25 foot waves were
observed. Six men aboard the Gloucester fishing vessel Andrea Gail, made
famous by the later book and film, tragically lost their lives. South
of Long Island, a rescue helicopter was forced to ditch into the sea, and a
New York Air National Guardsman tragically lost his life.
In greater Boston, most of the damage was caused by wind-driven rain.
High winds made small debris airborne, damaged rooftops and wooden structures, knocked signs over, and flooded low lying
areas. This author went to Revere Beach, just north of Boston, on the
evening of November 2nd or 3rd 1991. Everything at the bottom of
Revere Bay was thrown up onto the beach. Dozens of lobster traps,
tons of seaweed, and a great deal of ancient boat debris was thrown about
the shore. Revere Beach rests on a large tidal flat, and most of the
sand was blown completely off the beach and into the surrounding streets.
The Perfect Storm was a classic Nor'easter, where a hurricane-like
system forms off the New England coast, swirling from the north and east. Bob Case, a NOAA forecaster is credited with naming the storm, having made the
statement when fading Hurricane Grace was about to add huge tropical energy
to the colliding low and high pressure systems. Local weather
forecasters and media outlets quickly acted to warn people about the dangerous
weather system, saving many lives.
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