The 1938 hurricane was the topic of an informative and entertaining presentation hosted by the Mattapoisett Museum on September 19. The speaker, John Horrigan, is no stranger to historically themed presentations.

            Horrigan is also a highly respected sports announcer and TV host. He brought the events leading up to the hurricane’s landfall and the devastation it wrought on unsuspecting thousands to a standing-room-only audience on this night. Mattapoisett would be one of many communities whose losses from wind and tidal surges are still a source of awe – Mother Nature at her most horrifying.

            While there were a few if any in attendance who could claim personal memories of those horrific events some 86 years ago, most only knew stories shared by family members and, sadly, the telling of those who were lost.

            In 1938, satellites weren’t circling the earth sending split-second, continuous weather data back to meteorologists sitting at computers analyzing and reporting forecasts. It was in 1959 when the National Weather Service launched radar dedicated to warning the populous a storm was coming.

            Today, while seated in our 21st-century homes taking in weather forecasts, we are informed of dangerous weather conditions even if sometimes those forecasts turn out to be showers versus deluge. And while New Englanders are wont to complain over forecasts that seem overblown (pun intended) or flat out wrong, being able to flee storm conditions in a timely manner was not available in 1938.

            Of course there have been other hurricanes. In 1635, there was the Great Colonial Hurricane. There had been other recorded hurricanes, and many (including yours truly) recall Carol in 1954. But the 1938 weather event would be recorded as driven inland 20 miles at rates of over 60 miles per hour.

            Concurrent with the tides and winds associated with this storm was a season of heavy rains, as much as 13 inches over five days at one point that season. No one suspected that a hurricane generated unusually off the coast of Africa would become a major storm.

            With few weather-predicting tools coupled with a lack of cohesive reporting at local levels, people were carrying on their daily activities oblivious to what was heading their way.

            A brief history of the storm is noted on the National Weather Service website this way, “On September 21, 1938, one of the most destructive and powerful hurricanes in recorded history struck Long Island and Southern New England. The storm developed near the Cape Verde Islands on September 9, tracking across the Atlantic and up the Eastern Seaboard. The storm hit Long Island and Southern Connecticut on September 21, moving at a forward speed of 47 mph. Sustained hurricane force winds were felt across central and eastern Long Island and southeastern Connecticut. The hurricane produced a destructive storm surge flooding coastal communities as well as producing three to seven inches of rainfall.”

            Other sources reported at the time that fierce winds reached as high as 162 mph. Ultimately, material losses would be calculated in the multimillions, human lives lost numbered between 600 and 800 and tides reaching as much as 18 feet high.

            The staggering losses that would be felt for decades to come may be fading into the sepia tones of time. The living, most born many years since, sustain the memories.

            You can view first-hand accounts through letters written at the time by local residents, letters now archived at the Mattapoisett Museum.

Mattapoisett Museum

By Marilou Newell

Some more suggestions on how to start making your current home a place in which you can stay as you become frailer.

            Stairs may become a problem as we transition from old to very old. I look upon stairs as a sort of built-in Physical Therapy, forcing us to strengthen our leg muscles with every climb, but arthritis, heart or lung issues or neurologic disease may eventually make that climb a challenge.

            Ideally, if you are doing major home renovations, moving the master bedroom to the first floor will pay dividends in the long run. If this is beyond your budget, electric stair climbers may be the answer, with cost in the ballpark of $5,000.

            Over time, change most doorknobs to levers for easier turning.

            Have proper storage, so that toys, shoes, boots, etc. are in a box or on low shelves and not sitting on the floor waiting to trip you.

            Get a video doorbell tied to your phone so you do not have to rush to answer the door, and so that you can screen callers to be sure you want to answer it.

            The last point brings up another: Seniors are often targeted by scammers. Your local police department and/or Council on Aging probably offers lectures on how to avoid becoming the victim of a scam: Attend one of these!

            Finally, it is likely that at some point, one of a couple will become the primary caretaker for the other. Plan for this. Do not try to do it all. Accept help when it is offered, whether by family or friends. Use outside agencies for some meals and for respite care.

            Join an online or in-person support group to share your experiences with others experiencing the same issues. Keep some “me time.” If you do not make time to relax and do something enjoyable, you will burn out sooner.

            If you live alone, a personal alert system adds peace of mind for both you and your family.

            Unless you have good, long-term healthcare insurance, realize that costs of outside help are not covered by Medicare or other health insurance. Short-term help after a hospitalization is covered, but not the regular care needed to stay independent.

            If you are very rich, no worries. If you are very poor, Medicaid will help. For most of us in between, be sure to budget and set aside money for these expenses.

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer