We're now at the time of year when shoregoers and weather forecasters really have to pay attention to the tropics. It was around this time in 1955 when many local residents were cleaning up from flooding produced by Hurricanes Connie and Diane, with some crests on the Delaware River setting records that still stand today.

We also have an account of a powerful Colonial hurricane that struck the area around this time in 1788, wreaking havoc not only with rain but also with wind. This hurricane approached from the south and its center probably traveled the entire length of the state of New Jersey. There were reports from Philadelphia of "a tremendous downpour of tropical proportions."

Closer to the coast, winds that likely exceeded 75 mph caused great destruction. Forests from New Jersey to Maine were blown down along a narrow path just a few miles wide. A similar storm track today would cause an extreme disaster in these now highly populated areas.