Southampton Houses 'Crumpled Like Matchsticks' Back in 1962

[Credit: British Pathé ]

Back in March 1962 a nor'easter called the Ash Wednesday Storm devastated the eastern seaboard. It was particularly destructive because it coincided with the spring equinox, which meant high tides, and it stalled for nearly 36 hours, flooding over five consecutive spring high tides. British Pathé reported on the storm, noting that the "stately mansions along Millionaire's Row" in Southampton were washed out to sea. All in all, 40 people were killed and more than $200M of damage was done.