On September 21, 1938, the first hurricane recorded in the history of the weather bureau in New England struck the northeast - causing 15 foot tidal waves, more than 100 deaths and $100 million of property damage in Massachusetts alone. Although out of range of the high tides, 63 trees on Tufts' Medford/Somerville campus were felled in the storm (downed trees completely blocked the path from Ballou to Packard) and power lines were damaged across the University. Incredibly, no one was injured and no major damage was reported to any buildings. Staff and volunteer students spearheaded a massive cleanup effort which restored the campus within a few weeks.
