The weather is fairly tranquil today, as we transition to some more fall-like weather. However, that wasn’t the case in on October 3, 1964 and October 3, 1979.
The 1964 Atlantic hurricane season had already been one of the most active hurricane seasons in 31 years, with 11 total storms, 5 of which were major hurricanes. Then, during the evening hours on October 3rd, Hurricane Hilda made landfall as it crossed the Louisiana coastline. Sustained winds at landfall reached 120 mph, a category 3 hurricane. The death toll from Hilda was 38, including 22 who were killed when Hilda spawned an F4 tornado which cut a 2 mile path through Larose, LA. After the 1964 hurricane season concluded, Hilda was retired as a hurricane name.
There were no tornado watches or warnings issued on October 3, 1979 before a killer tornado hit the Connecticut town of Windsor Locks. However, at 2:57 p.m, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued. By 3 pm, a tornado had formed. The tornado would later be rated a devastating F4, with winds between 207 and 260 mph. Sixteen vintage aircraft at the Bradley Air Museum were destroyed. More than 100 homes were damaged and $200 million in damage was reported. Three people were killed and 500 others were injured. The tornado would go on to be the costliest on record in the Northeast U.S. and the deadliest in Connecticut history since 1878.
