Mighty Storms of New England: The Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Blizzards, and Floods That Shaped the Region

by Eric P. Fisher

The New England landscape has long been battered by some of the most intense weather in the United States. The region breeds one of the highest concentrations of meteorologists in the country for a reason. One can experience just about anything except a dust storm. Snowstorms, floods, droughts, heat waves, arctic blasts, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and other atmospheric oddities come and go with the changing seasons. Rare is the boring year of weather. Knowing the past is a critical part of understanding and forecasting the weather. Meteorologist Eric Fisher takes an in depth look at some of the most intense weather events in New England’s history. The stories in this book not only describe the loss and the damage caused by the storms, but also how nearly all of them in left such an impression that they immediately led to progress where new warnings systems were implemented, government agencies formed, and technology accelerated in response to the devastation these events left behind.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Nature, Science, Audiobook

240 pages, Hardcover

Published October 21, 2021

Reviews

[Chris Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite interesting, especially if you've heard of storms like the Worcester tornado, the Perfect Storm, the Blizzard of '77, the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, etc. in passing but been interested in context, both meteorological and historical, for each.

[Lisa Bertelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting walk through weather history in New England. A perfect weekend read for a weather geek. Which i am. Also if you watch Eric Fisher on Boston’s WBZ-Tv, he writes like he is talking to you.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a New England meteorologist, Mighty Storms of New England is full of facts and figures about famous storms, several of which I experienced first hand while young, and many of which I tracked after moving to California. It’s complete in its coverage of the scope of disasters, including tiny towns whose major claim to fame is being struck by said disaster. Still, the storytelling is not very suspenseful or exciting. I guess I expected something on the order of Jim Cantore’s Storm Stories.

The research is excellent, and well documented. But very few photos are included. Increasing the number of B&W historical plates, which are available in various town and state archives, would have improved the content greatly. Maps might have also been handy to depict hurricane tracks, and flooded areas.

A good book for New England historians or fans of extreme weather like myself.

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and learned a lot about the weather history of this area. I lived through some of the storms detailed, heard of others, and some were ones I'd never heard of - like the 1816 "year without summer." I also enjoyed reading about places I've been to, and learning some history about them.

The author goes into a lot of detail about the causes of the weather phenomena he describes, and as a non-science person, it was a little too much for me......although perfect for a weather geek.

One thing I learned from the book is that there is a LOT more to being a weather forecaster than I thought - and I REALLY respect the abilities of the TV weather people for being able to communicate what's happening using language most of us can understand.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book tremendously. It was a fun read, especially if you like New England weather and/or weather in general. It does have some typos that should have been caught like saying Boston Light was on Deer Island. (It's on Little Brewster Island) but I did have one qualm that's holding me back from giving it 5 stars. For the life of me, I can't understand how a book that writes about the great storms of New England has only 1 mere mention of the Springfield Tornado of 2011. The second best-known tornado in New England history.

Still this is a great fun book and well worth your time.

[Rye Thomasdatter · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
The storms described here are done with creativity. Some information about how weather works as well as how people experienced these storms make this book fun. Worth a higher rating.
However, for me, it read like a weather report in tone. It made these intriguing stories difficult to get through. Of course, the author is a weather anchor.
He does a great job accidentally pointing out gov. inclination to never let a crisis go to waste.

[Tressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

More interesting than I would have expected. Each chapter discusses some of the meteorological science that produced the storms which is presented in a way that non-meteorologists can understand and follow. I hope the publisher decides to do an audiobook version of this title and have the author read it because then you can hear it in Eric Fisher's weatherman voice!

[Alison Fulmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I am back living in New England and know a (very) small amount of basic meteorology I enjoyed this book. New England has wild weather and it is interesting to know why. I did wish there was more in depth discussion of the meteorological science behind these storms but hard to fault the approach taken

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. The material itself was mostly interesting, although there were some typographical errors in the later chapters that were annoying. Also there was one weather phenomena Fisher described in 2 consecutive chapters that felt unnecessary, considering no other phenomena was given that treatment.

[Sireesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating. New England seems to have had almost every storm type thrown at it by the planet. The book is grouped into different parts such as blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes etc. Listened to it as an audiobook and the narrator was pretty good. Oh, and just to mix it up, one chapter on a heatwave!

[Scott Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical peek back at some of the greatest meteorological events in New England history. That said, some clear missing items included the biggest storms of our time, such as Sandy, Tornados and more. Great book, just needed more.

[Mr. Kovach · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read for weather mongers like me. Describes all the great weather events of New England from Colonial times to the present, and the meteorological forces that came together to create them. Much damage and chaos did then ensue!

[Melba Bennett Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting but many of the storms covered read more like a Wikipedia Page or textbook. Covering this many storms would be difficult to do thoroughly or with the kind of narrative to make it engrossing.

[Matthew Peck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing, informative and fast-paced history of the extraordinarily crappy weather that characterizes New England, courtesy of Boston's best meteorologist. My grandfather wrote recollections of the Vermont flood of 1927, and I'm happy to see it detailed here.

[Mishka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and am smarter for reading it.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! Had to return it to the library and will finish it when I can borrow it again.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great account of the biggest storms to hit the region.

[Jenn Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and touches on many of the most famous and/or most impactful storms in New England history. By my local meteorologist!

[Dorothy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome explanations of what happened in big storms, and weather science explanations that are easily understood. Recommend!

[Bob Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you live in New England, you already have an eye for the weather here. Eric Fisher is a New Englander and he writes of many storms of our past. Each chapter is a different storm and he goes into not only what was happening, but how this storm formed and traveled. Sure, I can think of some he did not cover, but this is an excellent read. You can read this chapter by chapter, and the order really does not matter.
Enjoy

[Mozelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for our time! The weather has gone crazy, but it is predictable. Look back through time to know the present. If you live up north you really need to read this book! I believe the year 2023-2024 will set new records in the Northeast!