Hurricane Edna

{{Short description|Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 1954}} {{Good article}} {{Missing information|U.S. Congress hearing regarding Hurricane Edna|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox weather event | image = Hurricane Edna weather map, September 11, 1954 (5466781).jpg | caption = [[Surface weather analysis]] of Hurricane Edna approaching landfall in Massachusetts on September 11 | formed = September 2, 1954 | dissipated = September 15, 1954 }}{{Infobox weather event/NWS | winds = 110 | pressure = 943 }}{{Infobox weather event/Effects | year = 1954 | fatalities = 29 | damage = 42800000 | damage-prefix = > | areas = [[Puerto Rico]], [[Bahamas]], [[North Carolina]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New Hampshire]], [[Maine]], [[Atlantic Canada]] | refs = }}{{Infobox weather event/Footer | season = [[1954 Atlantic hurricane season]] }}

'''Hurricane Edna''' was a deadly and destructive [[major hurricane]] that impacted the [[United States East Coast]] in September of the [[1954 Atlantic hurricane season]]. It was one of two hurricanes to strike Massachusetts in that year, the other being [[Hurricane Carol]]. The fifth [[tropical cyclone]] and storm of the season, as well as the fourth hurricane and second [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale#Category 3|major hurricane]], Edna developed from a [[tropical wave]] on September 2. Moving towards the north-northwest, Edna skirted the northern [[Leeward Islands]] as a tropical depression before turning more towards the west. The depression attained tropical storm status to the east of [[Puerto Rico]] and strengthened further to reach hurricane status by September 7. The storm [[rapidly intensified]] and reached its peak intensity of 125 mph (205 km/h) north of the [[Bahamas]] before weakening to Category 2 status near [[landfall]] in Massachusetts on September 11. Edna transitioned into an [[extratropical cyclone]] in [[Atlantic Canada]] before its remnants dissipated in the northern Atlantic.

Edna caused 29 fatalities throughout its lifetime as a tropical cyclone, as well as a moderate amount of damage. It first caused rainfall-induced flooding in Puerto Rico, and it later brushed the Bahamas. High waves affected the coastline of North Carolina. Edna resulted in the heaviest day of rainfall in New York City in 45 years, while strong waves cut off [[Montauk, New York|Montauk]] from the remainder of [[Long Island]]. There were six highway deaths in the state, and $1.5 million in crop damage. There were widespread evacuations in southern [[New England]], after [[Hurricane Carol]] struck the same area only 11 days prior. Strong winds caused extensive power outages for 260,000 people, including nearly all of [[Cape Cod]]. Edna became the costliest hurricane in the history of Maine, where the hurricane caused flooding that washed out roads and rail lines. There were 21 deaths in New England, eight of whom in Maine due to drownings. Later, high winds severely damaged crops in Atlantic Canada.

==Meteorological history== {{storm path|Edna 1954 path.png|colors=new}} Hurricane Edna originated in an easterly [[tropical wave]] which modern research has estimated to have spawned a tropical depression east of the [[Caribbean Sea]] on September 2, 1954.{{Atlantic hurricane best track}} The [[low pressure area]] was not observed in real time until several days later, on September 5, while situated between [[Puerto Rico]] and [[The Bahamas]]. Near the disturbance, a ship reported heavy squalls and wind gusts to {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Additionally, the island of Puerto Rico experienced torrential rainfall in association with the storm.<ref name="EdnaMWR">{{cite journal|author1=Malkin, William |author2=Holzworth, George C.|title=Hurricane Edna, 1954|date=September 1954|volume=82|issue=9|publisher=American Meteorological Society|journal=Monthly Weather Review|pages=267–279|access-date=February 1, 2011|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/082/mwr-082-09-0267.pdf|bibcode = 1954MWRv...82..267M |doi = 10.1175/1520-0493(1954)082<0267:HE>2.0.CO;2 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Operationally, the system was not recognized to have organized into a tropical cyclone until September 6;<ref name="MWR">{{cite journal|last=Davis|first=Walter, R|title=Hurricanes of 1954|date=December 1954|volume=82|issue=12|publisher=American Meteorological Society|journal=[[Monthly Weather Review]]|pages=370–373|access-date=February 1, 2011|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/082/mwr-082-12-0370.pdf|bibcode = 1954MWRv...82..370D |doi = 10.1175/1520-0493(1954)082<0370:HO>2.0.CO;2 |doi-access=free}}</ref> it is listed in the [[Atlantic hurricane database]] as achieving tropical storm intensity early on September 4. Edna proceeded west-northwestward, bypassing [[Hispaniola]] to the north, and by September 7 it had strengthened into a minimal hurricane on the present-day [[Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale]].<ref name="HURDAT"/>

Initially a rather small storm in terms of physical size, the hurricane steadily intensified throughout the day. [[Reconnaissance]] aircraft flew into the storm frequently to take observations on the cyclone's structure.<ref name="EdnaMWR"/><ref name="HURDAT"/> The center of circulation passed near [[San Salvador Island]],<ref name="MWR"/> and on September 8, Edna further strengthened into a Category 3 major hurricane while broadly curving northward.<ref name="EdnaMWR"/><ref name="HURDAT"/> Reconnaissance flights indicated a maturing and evolving [[eye (cyclone)|eye]], approximately {{convert|20|mi|km|abbr=on}} in diameter. The overall circulation increased in size as banding features became more well-defined.<ref name="EdnaMWR"/> The storm reached its peak winds of {{convert|120|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and maintained them for over two days.<ref name="HURDAT"/> However, reconnaissance data was at times inconsistent and inaccurate, leading to suspicious and unlikely jogs in the storm's track. The cause of these errors is attributed to misinterpretation of [[radar]] information.<ref name="EdnaMWR"/>

Midday on September 9, while tracking nearly due north, Edna's minimum central [[barometric pressure]] fell to {{convert|968|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|lk=on}}, but is believed to have leveled off shortly thereafter. The radius of hurricane-force winds increased, and the storm may have become asymmetrical, with convection concentrated to the right of the center, although this was not confirmed due to a lack of data. An approaching weak [[weather front|frontal boundary]] spread overcast conditions over the [[East Coast of the United States|Eastern Seaboard]] north of [[North Carolina]].<ref name="EdnaMWR"/> By September 10, Edna was located just south of [[Cape Hatteras, North Carolina|Cape Hatteras]], passing east of the [[Outer Banks]] early the next day.<ref name="HURDAT"/> As the hurricane accelerated to the northeast, it began to deteriorate and weaken.<ref name="HURDAT"/> Closely following the recent track of [[Hurricane Carol]],<ref name="MWR"/> Edna approached [[New England]], but diverged from Carol's track upon skirting the eastern coast instead of moving inland.<ref name="HURDAT"/> Weather reporting stations in the [[Mid-Atlantic States]] reported rapid clearing as the storm gained latitude, while heavy rain and gusty winds enveloped New England.<ref name="EdnaMWR"/> On September 11, Edna passed directly over [[Cape Cod]] after weakening to Category 2 status, although [[surface weather analysis]] depicted a central pressure of {{convert|950|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}. It subsequently tracked just east of [[Eastport, Maine]].<ref name="HURDAT"/> The storm continued northeastward into [[Atlantic Canada]] and transitioned into an [[extratropical cyclone]], although the exact time of this transition is unknown. The storm's extratropical remnants reemerged into the northern Atlantic after crossing eastern Canada and were last noted on September 15.<ref name="EdnaMWR"/><ref name="MWR"/>

==Preparations== In advance of the storm, [[Tropical cyclone warnings and watches|hurricane warning]]s were issued for parts of The Bahamas and [[South Florida]], as winds of up to hurricane force were expected.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Storm Warning Over Bahamas|date=September 7, 1954|work=Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune}}</ref> Farther to the north, storm warnings were posted from [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]] to Eastport, Maine. Along the coast of North Carolina and the [[Virginia Capes]], where gale-force winds and high tides were expected, residents were advised to take precautions. In [[New York City]], it was to be considered "a miracle" if Edna did not strike the area directly, and the storm was predicted to be one of the most severe hurricanes in the history of the New York [[Weather Bureau]].<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|title=Hurricane Hears Carolina Coast, Virginia Capes|date=September 10, 1954|publisher=Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune}}</ref> In the 24 hours before the storm struck, [[New York Telephone]] received 361,392 calls, which was the third highest volume the company ever recorded.<ref>{{cite news|agency=United Press|title=Telephone Business Really Booms|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|date=September 11, 1954|access-date=January 14, 2013|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8_lXAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20edna&pg=5241%2C2691205}}</ref> In the [[Montauk, New York|Montauk]] area, 500 residents evacuated their homes by early September 11, while all businesses closed in [[Westerly, Rhode Island]].<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Hew England Braces For Full Fury of Hurricane Edna|date=September 11, 1954|publisher=Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune}}</ref> Businesses in [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]], which was flooded during Hurricane Carol, prepared sandbags to mitigate flooding.<ref name="day"/> Most beach homes had closed for the summer season, and hundreds of people who lived along the southern New England coast evacuated.<ref name="day">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The New London Day|title=New England Ready for Date with Edna|date=September 11, 1954|access-date=January 13, 2015|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ue8gAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20edna&pg=2114%2C1735252}}</ref> Other threatened areas were evacuated, including [[Milford, Connecticut]], where 3,000 families left their homes. Sirens alerted other residents to remain indoors and drivers to stay off the highways. Along the coast of Connecticut, bus and train service was halted.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Hurricane Buffets East Coast|date=September 11, 1954|newspaper=Albuquerque Tribune}}</ref> A state of emergency was declared in [[New London, Connecticut|New London]], and mail service was canceled in some areas.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New London Sun|date=September 11, 1954|access-date=January 15, 2013|title=Barometer Still Falling But Area Losing Slight|author=Deane C. Avery|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ue8gAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20edna&pg=1821%2C1730127}}</ref> On September 10, the Navy ordered the evacuation of hundreds of warships and aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff Writer|title=Navy Evacuates Warships, Planes; Fleet Units at Norfolk Are Sent to Sea – Aircraft Ordered to Safe Havens|date=September 10, 1954|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 1, 2011|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/09/11/archives/navy-evacuates-warships-planes-fleet-units-at-norfolk-are-sent-to.html}}</ref> [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] planes evacuated from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. About 40 [[American Red Cross|Red Cross]] shelters, which were opened during Hurricane Carol 11 days prior, were reopened to provide food. Officers at [[Fort Devens]] sent 40 trucks with cots, blankets, and generators to areas expected to be struck by the storm.<ref name="day"/> Advance warning was credited with a lower death toll in Edna than Carol.<ref name="ap912"/>

===West Indies=== On September 7, a bulletin from [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]] reported extensive, flood-inducing rainfall along the western and southern coasts of the island. Over {{convert|10|in|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation fell within a two-day period.<ref name="EdnaMWR"/> The easternmost islands of The Bahamas, including San Salvador, experienced gale-force winds and high seas.<ref name="MWR"/>

===United States=== Edna's path near North Carolina was about {{convert|50|mi|km|abbr=on}} east of Carol.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Joseph T. Kelley |author2=Orrin H. Pilkey |author3=J. A. G. Cooper |title=America's most vulnerable coastal communities|year=2009|publisher=Geological Society of America|isbn=978-0-8137-2460-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DN6stg9Ui5IC&q=%22Hurricane+Edna%22+%2B%22North+Carolina%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA84|page=84}}</ref> Winds blew at up to {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} along the shore, accompanied by strong surf, although no fatalities or major property damage resulted from the storm.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=North Carolina Suffers Little in New Storm|date=September 11, 1954|publisher=Lewiston Evening Journal|access-date=February 2, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QDpHAAAAIBAJ&pg=2102,1052004&dq=hurricane-edna+north-carolina+-wikipedia&hl=en}}</ref> Tides at [[Norfolk, Virginia]] were only slightly above normal during the storm's passage to the east, and winds were moderate in strength.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Unpredictable Hurricane Edna Rages Along Atlantic Coast|date=September 11, 1954|newspaper=Gettysburg Times|access-date=February 2, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HSkmAAAAIBAJ&pg=5920,469447&dq=hurricane-edna+virginia&hl=en}}</ref> Peripheral rainfall in Maryland and Delaware eased drought conditions.<ref name="noaa"/> In coastal [[New Jersey]], northwesterly winds reached {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and [[Long Branch, New Jersey|Long Branch]] received around {{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rainfall. Further north, [[Long Island]] also suffered moderate to strong winds, blowing from the north at their peak. A [[United States Weather Bureau|Weather Bureau]] station in [[New York City]] recorded {{convert|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds midday on September 11.<ref name="EdnaReport">{{cite web|author=U.S. Weather Bureau|title=The Storm of September 11, 1954|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=October 26, 1954|access-date=February 2, 2011|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/Qc9452e353s71954.pdf}}</ref> Rainfall reached {{convert|4.98|in|mm|abbr=on}} in the city, becoming the wettest day in 45 years.<ref name="sar">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=September 12, 1954|title=Northeast U.S. Grazed By 'Cane Edna|access-date=January 14, 2013|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UJkcAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20edna&pg=6749%2C1760360}}</ref> The storm cut off [[Montauk Point]] on eastern Long Island at its height, prompting the [[U.S. Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] to temporarily relocate 500 families.<ref>{{cite news|author=United Press|title=Hurricane Edna Pummels Areas Along East Coast; At Least 9 Persons Dead|date=September 11, 1954|publisher=The Bulletin|access-date=February 2, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SlJYAAAAIBAJ&pg=2154,7145205&dq=hurricane-edna+new-york&hl=en}}</ref> Rainfall in [[Suffolk County, New York|Suffolk County]] amounted to {{convert|9|in|mm|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Section 5.4.4: Risk Assessment — Hurricane|date=October 2008|publisher=Suffolk County, New York|access-date=February 2, 2011|url=http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522093922/http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/|archive-date=May 22, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Crop damage in New York was estimated at $1.5 million,<ref name="noaa"/> and six people died in the city due to highway deaths.<ref name="ap912">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=September 12, 1954|access-date=January 14, 2013|title=8 Lose Lives in Maine Storm|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=okMpAAAAIBAJ&pg=6104,5028453&dq=hurricane+edna&hl=en}}</ref>

When Edna struck New England, it was moving quickly to the northeast at {{convert|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. It struck eastern Massachusetts about {{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=on}} east of where Hurricane Carol struck only a week prior. Hurricane-force winds affected much of the coastline, with peak gusts of {{convert|120|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on [[Martha's Vineyard]] offshore Massachusetts, and {{convert|110|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on [[Block Island]] offshore Rhode Island. Along the coast, wind gusts peaked at {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} at [[Hyannis, Massachusetts]]. The high winds caused widespread power outages, including for nearly all of [[Cape Cod]]. The [[storm surge]] reached {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}} along the Massachusetts coast, causing flooding and heavy boating damage. Further west, there was lesser [[coastal flooding]], although heavy rainfall after previously wet conditions caused urban and stream flooding; rainfall peaked at around {{convert|11|in|mm|abbr=on}}. Damage in Connecticut and Rhode Island was mainly in areas already affected by Hurricane Carol. Several streets were washed out, and rivers rose above flood stage.<ref name="nws">{{cite report|author=David R. Vallee|author2=Michael R. Dion|title=Hurricane Edna|work=Southern New England Tropical Storms and Hurricanes, A Ninety-eight Year Summary 1909–1997|publisher=Taunton, Massachusetts National Weather Service|access-date=January 14, 2013|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/hurricane/hurricaneEdna.shtml}}</ref>

Damage was heaviest in Maine, estimated at $25 million,<ref name="noaa"/> which made Edna the costliest hurricane in the state's history. Strong wind gusts, reaching {{convert|74|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and heavy rainfall, peaking at {{convert|7.49|in|mm|abbr=on}}, extended into the state;<ref name="ednamaine"/> these were considered the heaviest rains in the state in 58 years.<ref name="sar"/> The [[Androscoggin River|Androscoggin]] and [[Kennebec River|Kennebec]] rivers both reached above-normal levels, causing flooding and washing out roads.<ref name="ednamaine"/> In [[Augusta, Maine|Augusta]], the Kennebec River reached {{convert|20.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}, which was {{convert|5|ft|m|abbr=on}} above the peak level after the spring snow melt.<ref name="free">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Free Lance-Star|date=September 13, 1954|title=Railroad Tracks, Roads Crops Hit by Hurricane Edna|access-date=January 16, 2013|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sKleAAAAIBAJ&pg=5574,5293863&dq=hurricane+edna&hl=en}}</ref> Flooding entered basements, affected fields, and covered bridges. In [[Peru, Maine|West Peru]], the floods washed out a bridge that was under construction.<ref>{{cite news|title=Central Maine Gets More Rain Than Wind When Hit By Hurricane|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|date=September 13, 1954|access-date=January 14, 2013|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=okMpAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20edna&pg=7005%2C5001455}}</ref> In addition, the winds downed trees,<ref name="ednamaine">{{cite web|author=Wayne Cotterly|year=2002|title=Hurricane Edna (1954)|access-date=January 14, 2013|url=http://www.pivot.net/~cotterly/edna.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061220040916/http://www.pivot.net/~cotterly/edna.htm|archive-date=December 20, 2006}}</ref> which blocked widespread roads and caused power outages in 18% of the state.<ref name="ap912"/> Washed out roads and rail lines cut off the state from the rest of New England.<ref name="sar"/> In [[Lewiston, Maine|Lewiston]], a trapped car in {{convert|5|ft|m|abbr=on}} deep waters required rescue by boat.<ref>{{cite news|author=Emery W. Stevens|date=September 12, 1954|access-date=January 14, 2013|title=Lewiston Gets Road Washouts|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=okMpAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20edna&pg=2103%2C4991486}}</ref> Another stranded family was rescued after seven hours in [[Unity, Maine|Unity]], in which one child and a rescuer were killed. There were eight deaths in the state, most of whom related to cars being swept away by floods.<ref name="ap912"/>

There were 21 deaths in New England,<ref name="nws"/> including eight drownings in Maine.<ref name="ednamaine"/> Throughout the United States, damage was estimated at $42,815,000. Damage was less from Edna than from Carol, primarily due to its strongest winds not occurring at the time of highest tides, and its track farther to the east.<ref name="noaa">{{cite book|pages=74, 170|author=C.E. Rhodes|publisher=United States Weather Bureau|title=North Atlantic Hurricanes and Disturbances – 1954|year=1955|access-date=January 14, 2013|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hxPOAAAAMAAJ&q=hurricane+edna+1954&pg=PA72}}</ref> Throughout New England, 260,000 people lost power, most of whom in Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=September 12, 1954|title=260,000 N.E. Phones Knocked Out by Edna|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|access-date=January 14, 2013|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=okMpAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20edna&pg=1776%2C5012233}}</ref>

===Atlantic Canada=== While rapidly losing characteristics of a tropical cyclone, Edna traversed central [[New Brunswick]]. In contrast with the smaller, more compact [[Hurricane Juan]], which struck Atlantic Canada in 2003, Edna was a much larger storm with strong winds extending hundreds of kilometers from the center. The tightest pressure gradient was focused on the east side of the storm, over mainland [[Nova Scotia]]. Edna brought down approximately 700 million board feet of timber, and although the amount of trees the storm destroyed was comparable to that of Juan, its effects were more widespread and not as locally severe.<ref name="EdnaJuan">{{cite web|author=Chris Fogarty|date=March 2, 2004|title=A Comparison of the Wind Fields in Hurricane Edna (1954) and Hurricane Juan (2003)|publisher=[[Canadian Hurricane Centre]]|access-date=February 1, 2011|url=http://www.novaweather.net/Hurricane_Juan_files/Edna_Juan_comp.pdf}}</ref> Sustained winds reached {{convert|160|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} at [[Yarmouth, Nova Scotia|Yarmouth]] and {{convert|95|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} at [[City of Halifax|Halifax]]. The intense winds downed power and telephone lines and destroyed many barns; one such structural collapse killed a man, and livestock were lost throughout the region. Other damage to property included several fallen chimneys, a toppled church steeple in [[Pictou]], and roof failures. In [[Kentville, Nova Scotia|Kentville]], an apartment building undergoing construction was destroyed. Approximately $3 million [[Canadian dollar|CAD]] in apple crops were decimated, while in Yarmouth, both live lobsters and lobster pots were lost. Debris blocked streets across the province, and at least {{convert|800|m|mi|abbr=on}} of road was washed out. Damage in Nova Scotia totaled $6 million CAD: in the aftermath, Yarmouth and Kentville declared states of emergency.<ref name="CHC">{{cite web|title=1954-Edna|publisher=Environment Canada|access-date=February 1, 2011|url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/Hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=1E1CCBFE-1}}</ref>

In New Brunswick, the storm dropped {{convert|130|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rain and produced winds of {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. Wind damage was less significant than in Nova Scotia, although still evident in structures and utility lines. A theatre in [[McAdam, New Brunswick|McAdam]] was destroyed, and several people were injured across the area. The storm flooded streets in [[St. Stephen, New Brunswick|St. Stephen]]. About 400 salmon, valued at $10,000 CAD, were lost in [[Dalhousie, New Brunswick|Dalhousie]]. Total damage in the province is estimated at $1.78 million CAD. Elsewhere, power outages were reported in [[Montreal]].<ref name="CHC"/>

==Aftermath== Throughout New England, [[List of counties in Maine|20 counties]] were declared states of emergency.<ref name="ednamaine"/> After the storm, [[Southern New England Telephone]] sent a crew of 100 workers in 50 trucks to Maine to assist in restoring power.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 12, 1954|agency=Associated Press|title=100 Conn. Phonemen Sent to Aid Maine|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|access-date=January 14, 2013|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=okMpAAAAIBAJ&pg=6104,5028453&dq=hurricane+edna&hl=en}}</ref> Power was quickly restored, and in some places the outages were less severe than during Carol.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Lewiston Daily Sun|date=September 14, 1954|access-date=January 16, 2013|title=Edna Easier than Carol on Power and Telephone Lines|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o0MpAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20edna&pg=4976%2C4928604}}</ref> For only the third time in its history, the [[Evening Express (Portland)|Portland Evening Express]] was not delivered due to the storm.<ref name="ap912"/> Most primary roads were re-opened by two days after the storm, although rural areas and rail lines took longer to repair.<ref name="fcd"/> There was a temporary travel ban for all but emergency vehicles in Maine due to washed out roads.<ref name="free"/> Affecting densely populated portions of the state, Edna struck the day before the [[1954 Maine gubernatorial election|governor race]] between [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Burton M. Cross]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[Edmund Muskie]]. Before the election, politicians commented how a suppressed turnout as a result of the storm would benefit Muskie, in a state where no Democrat had won governorship since 1934.<ref>{{cite news|author=Bill Langzettel|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|date=September 12, 1954|access-date=January 14, 2013|title=Cross-Muskie Main Battle Fight Today|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=okMpAAAAIBAJ&pg=6104,5028453&dq=hurricane+edna&hl=en}}</ref> Muskie ultimately won the election in a close race, which saw a lower turnout than [[1950 Maine gubernatorial election|1950]], due in part to Edna suppressing the rural, Republican turnout.<ref>{{cite news|title=Muskie Defeats Governor Cross|date=September 14, 1954|author=Bill Langzettel|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|agency=Associated Press|access-date=January 16, 2013|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o0MpAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20edna&pg=6542%2C4925077}}</ref>

After a survey from the [[Federal Civil Defense Administration]] described damage as "tremendous", [[President of the United States|President]] [[Dwight Eisenhower]] declared portions of Maine as a disaster area, which allocated federal funding for relief. The president also authorized additional aid to Rhode Island and Massachusetts due to additional damage there from Edna.<ref name="fcd">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Maine Termed Disaster Area by President|date=September 14, 1954|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|access-date=January 16, 2013|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o0MpAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20edna&pg=6542%2C4925077}}</ref>

Due to the severity of the hurricane, the name ''Edna'' was removed from the tropical storm naming list for 10 years.<ref name="NHC naming">{{cite web|publisher=National Hurricane Center|location=Miami, Florida|access-date=February 17, 2024|title=Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames_history.shtml}}</ref> The name was reused in the [[1968 Atlantic hurricane season|1968 season]], but was [[List of retired Atlantic hurricane names|permanently retired]] in the spring of 1969, as the 1954 hurricane was still an active subject of research.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/Publications/HOP%27s/HurWarningConf1969-.pdf|title=Report of the 1969 Interdepartmental Hurricane Warning Conference (Combined - Atlantic and Pacific)|page=17|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|location=Miami, Florida|date=March 1969|access-date=February 17, 2024}}</ref> None the less, ''Edna'' appeared once again on the 1972 naming list,<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/Publications/NatHurricaneOpsPlans/HOPs-1972.pdf|page=101|publisher=NOAA Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research|location=Washington, D.C.|title=National Hurricane Operations Plan|date=May 1972|access-date=February 17, 2024}}</ref> but ultimately went unused. The name will never be used again for another Atlantic hurricane.<ref name="NHC naming"/>

== In popular culture ==

In 1954 [[E.B. White]] published in [[The New Yorker]] "The Eye of Edna," <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1954/09/25/the-eye-of-edna|title=The Eye of Edna|last=White|first=E.B.|magazine=The New Yorker|date=1954-09-25|access-date=2021-08-22|language=en|issn=0028-792X}}</ref> a witty [[satire]] that pokes gentle fun at radio announcers who seem to enjoy the hurricane and make exaggerated predictions of its speed and strength.

==See also== {{Portal|Tropical cyclones}} * [[List of storms named Edna|Other storms of the same name]] * [[List of New England hurricanes]] * [[Hurricane Bob]]

==References== {{Reflist|2}} * McCarthy Earls, Eamon. "Twisted Sisters: How Four Superstorms Forever Changed the Northeast in 1954 & 1955." Franklin: Via Appia Press (www.viaappiapress.com), 2014. {{ISBN|978-0982548578}}

==External links== *[http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/history.shtml History of notable Atlantic hurricanes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060709200046/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/history.shtml |date=2006-07-09 }} *[http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/Qc9452e353s71954.pdf U.S. Weather Bureau advisories]

{{Retired Atlantic hurricanes}} {{1954 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}} {{Category 3 Atlantic hurricanes}} {{Authority control}}

[[Category:1954 Atlantic hurricane season|Edna]] [[Category:Category 3 Atlantic hurricanes|Edna (1954)]] [[Category:Retired Atlantic hurricanes|Edna]] [[Category:Hurricanes in Massachusetts|Edna]] [[Category:Hurricanes in North Carolina|Edna]] [[Category:Hurricanes in Rhode Island|Edna]] [[Category:Hurricanes in New England|Edna]] [[Category:Hurricanes in Canada|Edna (1994)]]