video: Remembering 1954’s Hurricane Carol

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Tracey Minkin, Features Editor

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Two survivors getting across the Point Bridge in the middle of Hurricane Carol, 1954

As Rhode Islanders keep tabs on Hurricane Irene as she makes her way north, John "Red" Cummings sits on his porch in nearby Westport, with one eye on the horizon, but the other on a previous storm with a lady's name: Carol.

That storm, one for the record books, was 1954's Hurricane Carol, and Cummings' recent book, The Last Fling, is a keenly remembered, impeccably researched memoir of what Carol did to the sleepy hamlet of Westport, Massachusetts, that morning of August 31, 1954.

Blowing a town away

Cummings spent summers in Westport as a boy, and was just 9 years old when the storm devastated his community, wiping houses off the beachfront, floating homes and vehicles into salt ponds, taking the life of a toddler, and creating a string of dramatic stories that the 66-year-old businessman took more than two years to collect and chronicle.

The stories behind the historic hurricane

The Last Fling not only evokes that strange blend of panic and camaraderie borne of a natural disaster, but is also a wonderful portrait of small-town coastal life.

As Irene bears down, GoLocal spoke with Cummings, who is busily promoting his book at local bookstores in signings and readings... in hurricane season, of course.

What made you want to write a book about Hurricane Carol?

The Last Fling evolved from my desire to talk to family, friends and neighbors about what life was like in idyllic Westport, Massachusetts, in the early part of the mid-21st century. The area, Acoaxet in particular, was often dubbed an “exclusive vacation enclave”. Yes, it was a vacation spot but for those of us who lived there we never viewed our little slice of heaven as “exclusive,” just undiscovered.

While writing about that time in this place, I realized that the amazingly powerful focal point of that period needed to become the primary focus of my effort. Hence: Hurricane Carol.

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The Cozy Cab, nearly completelyunderwater after being swept from the road

My own life had placed me squarely in the story. That terrifying day, I had evacuated with my parents to the higher grounds of the Acoaxet Club, where other Westporters sought shelter from the storms winds, rains, and dangerously rising tides. Fifty-seven years ago, I had the opportunity to open the Acoaxet Club clubhouse kitchen door to Jimmy, the Cozy Cab bus driver, after he had marched up the golf course from the safety of his pond boat life raft.

Jimmy has long since passed away, but I gleaned his story from newspaper articles and began searching for survivors. As I informed people of my endeavor, more came forth with: “Did you speak to…. he/she has a great story to relate.” Survivors came out of the woodwork. Many were interesting and many duplicated other tales I had heard. Some clarified bits of information that over the years were embellished while everyone has their own vivid and not-so-vivid recollection of the events of that day and time.

How has the reception been for The Last Fling?

The response has been beyond my expectations... I've been blown away (no pun intended). We have sold 1,000 books in less than 2 months and expect to receive my second printing next week. Comments from friends and strangers alike have been extremely positive, many wanting to know when and what will be my next writing project (unknown at this time).

With Hurricane Irene heading for a potential landfall right here in New England, what precautions are you taking? And how do you feel about it?

Hurricanes are always so fickle, as they come up the coastline and usually by the time they reach New England they have lost much of their punch and are no worse than a winter nor'easter. But if I owned a boat I would be making plans to get it out of the water; take in all outside furniture as that stuff can turn into killer projectiles; and have plenty of candles and fill the bath tub with water—as well as adequate supply of drinking water— in case power goes out for an extended time. Keep the cards and board games at hand—computers and TV will be off.

As for me: we live in Westport Harbor (Acoaxet area) about a long fairway wood from the ocean. We are right in the front line of the action. If it gets bad, I am not worried about water damage as I am elevated, and the water rise from '54 did not enter our property, but we would be ready to go to higher ground like the Acoaxet Clubhouse where I was during Carol... 57 years ago.

See live footage of Hurricane Carol from 1954, plus interviews with survivors, here:

To read more about Carol's brutal landfall and the stories of how Wesport survived her, pick up The Last Fling at a number of local bookstores, including A Novel Idea in Bristol, Spring Street Book Store in Newport, Island Books In Middletown, and Partners Store and Head Landing in Westport. Cummings will be signing at Westport's Back Eddy Restaurant on Friday, September 3, from 6:30-8pm. For more information on The Last Fling and links to order online, go to www.thelastfling.net.