 Hurricane Carol was among the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island in the United States . It developed from a tropical wave near the Bahamas on August 25 , 1954 , and slowly strengthened as it moved northwestward . On August 27 , Carol intensified to reach winds of 105 mph ( 165 km / h ) , but weakened as its motion turned to a northwest drift . A strong trough of low pressure turned the hurricane northeastward , and Carol later intensified into a major hurricane . While paralleling the Mid @-@ Atlantic and Southeastern United States , the storm produced strong winds and rough seas that caused minor coastal flooding and slight damage to houses in North Carolina , Virginia , Washington , D.C. , Delaware , and New Jersey . The well @-@ organized hurricane accelerated north @-@ northeastward and made landfall on Long Island , New York , and Connecticut on August 31 near peak intensity . Early on the following day , Carol transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over New Hampshire . 
