By Glenn Rolfe

Remembrances and reminders will punctuate the 60th anniversary of one of the most destructive and deadly weather events in Delaware history.

The Storm of ’62, a three-day nor’easter the first week of March 1962 — whose wrath brought immense destruction to the Atlantic and Delaware Bay coasts — will be recalled during a series of public happenings this week.

A virtual exhibit presented by the Delaware Public Archives is featuring scores of previously unreleased photographs here.

Another online event is a workshop through Sea Grant Delaware on Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. Attendees can join weather and emergency management experts for a 90-minute talk combining the history of severe weather in the First State, outlooks for storms and disasters, and ways to prepare for them.

To register for the Sea Grant event, visit here.

On Friday, Sussex2030 is inviting survivors of the historic nor’easter to commemorate the anniversary during a 90-minute gathering at the Lewes Public Library from 3-4:30 p.m., after a showing of “The ’62 Storm,” a 2007 documentary produced by 302 Stories.

The event hopes serve as a reminder “that we must heed history and respect the power of nature,” according to Sussex2030, a group that promotes smart growth.

“I don’t want to be an alarmist,” said group member Eul Lee of Angola. “But this is a serious issue.”

Back on March 5, 1962, the nor’easter began. It occurred during relentless high tides and continued to slowly grind up the Atlantic coast March 6 and moved away from Delaware on March 7.

By the time skies cleared and winds calmed, destruction along the coast was substantial, with damage estimates of $50 million (about $465 million today). The storm claimed seven lives in Delaware, and a total of 40 perished along the East Coast.

Delaware Public Archives

From deep within its vaults, the Delaware Public Archives will showcase never-seen photos of the great ’62 nor’easter, digitized from prints and scanned from negatives.

The display is comprised of more than 500 pictures from the collections of the archives, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, as well as the private compilations of Frank B. Calio and Harold W.T. Purnell.

A highlight of the retrospective is a newly encoded 17-minute silent Delaware State Police film of aerial footage of the storm damage. Areas included are Bowers Beach, Slaughter Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, the Indian River Inlet, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Oak Orchard and Massey’s Landing in Millsboro.

Also included in the virtual exhibit are selected papers from the Gov. Elbert Carvel collection, including correspondence from the public and officials pertaining to the storm, a speech delivered by the governor, notes from his secretary and a telegram from President John F. Kennedy.

Sea Grant Delaware

The Sea Grant workshop will open with a look back at the storm, which destroyed 1,932 houses along Delaware’s coast, mostly between Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island.

A researcher from the University of Delaware’s Center for Environmental Monitoring & Analysis will discuss the meteorological setup and impacts of the Storm of ’62 and place it in the context of more recent events like Superstorm Sandy, the blizzard of 2016, Hurricane Ida and tornadoes.

Following questions about the history, Sea Grant Delaware coastal hazards specialist Danielle Swallow will present on demographic and land-use changes since 1962, which could affect storm impacts, along with how to build resilience to extreme weather.

The event will have two presentations and a moderated discussion on emergency tips.

The workshop will close with a talk about storm preparedness moderated by a Delaware Emergency Management Agency official.

Sussex2030

Organizers are hoping survivors of the ’62 storm will attend to share their stories Friday at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave

However, participation may be impacted following Gov. John Carney’s recent lifting of the indoor mask mandate.

“We’ll have some survivors come and tell their stories,” Ms. Lee said. “I don’t know how many survivors are going to come because they are elderly. Before, they could kind of count on the mandate. But now, that is not the case. So the elderly have even more concerns. The response has not been that great.”

Prior to the 3 p.m. storytelling session, 302 Stories’ 55-minute documentary will be available to a limited audience, starting at 12:45. The room’s capacity is 26.

“Some people are already saying they can watch it at home because it is available for $4 if you want to watch online,” said Ms. Lee.

Sussex2030 hopes the event stirs awareness, preparedness and concern, given the residential growth in Sussex County’s coastal area.

“We cannot evacuate through the Bay Bridge to Annapolis (Maryland). If there is the wind of 50 mph, the bridge closes. Of course, we cannot ride on the ferry to Cape May (New Jersey). Of course, we are not going to go down to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Our only way out is north,” said Ms. Lee.

“Nobody wants to talk about it. People don’t want to hear about it. That’s why we think somebody has to talk about it. Whether we get the response or not, our job is to talk about it and let people be aware,” she added. “Our purpose is to start talking about it. Whether we get the traction or not, that’s another story.”

For information, contact sussex2030@gmail.com.