 Before Carol affected the area , 20 @,@ 000 people evacuated from Cape Cod . In Massachusetts , the hurricane produced winds between 80 and 110 mph ( 130 to 180 km / h ) across much of the eastern part of the state . Gusts reached 80 mph ( 130 km / h ) at Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory , and the highest gusts in the state was around 125 mph ( 201 km / h ) . The winds downed about 50 million board feet of trees in the state , many of which fell onto power lines ; much of eastern Massachusetts lost power during the storm . Carol left about $ 15 million in crop damage in the state . The winds destroyed much of the corn crop , about half of the peach crop , and about 1 @.@ 5 million bushels of apples . High winds destroyed the spire of the Old North Church in Boston , which was the location of where the lanterns were hung during Paul Revere 's ride . It was a replacement spire , after a hurricane in 1804 destroyed the original . Heavy damage was reported throughout Boston , and in Wareham , about 1 @,@ 500 people were left homeless . Statewide , 3 @,@ 350 homes were damaged to some degree , and another 800 were destroyed . The hurricane destroyed another 213 buildings and severely damaged 530 . Near the coast , strong storm surges were reported , and a 20 feet ( 6 @.@ 1 m ) storm tide was reported at New Bedford , setting a record . At least 15 deaths were reported in the state , and damage was estimated at $ 175 million . 
