It’s hurricane season, and September has brought many a hurricane to our region over the years. Did you know that the Great September Gale of 1815 struck on the 18^th with the eye passing over central Massachusetts causing great damage? The word “hurricane” came into common usage much later. In Buzzards Bay, the tide was calculated to have risen almost sixteen feet above normal.

The September 8^th Gale of 1869 had a more direct impact on Wareham. Records show this category three hurricane took the Narrows Bridge out lifting it and carrying it upstream. The next major hurricane to strike New England was the famous September 21, 1938 Gale. Starting as a category five, it hit land as a category three causing major catastrophe to Wareham and the state.

Other September hurricanes felt by Wareham include the Great Atlantic of 1944, Edna in 1954 (hitting eleven days after