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Today in History: Chesapeake-Potomac hurricane claims 47 lives in Mid-Atlantic

8/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On August 23, 1933, the Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane made landfall in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, bringing winds of 90 mph. This Category 4 storm caused significant destruction and resulted in at least 47 fatalities across the Mid-Atlantic region. It weakened into a tropical storm as it moved through Virginia and beyond.

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Story summary

On August 23, 1933, the Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane made landfall in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, bringing winds of 90 mph. This Category 4 storm caused significant destruction and resulted in at least 47 fatalities across the Mid-Atlantic region. It weakened into a tropical storm as it moved through Virginia and beyond.