1948 Bermuda–Newfoundland hurricane

As the hurricane traversed the Central Atlantic, the United States Weather Bureau indicated that the storm would not be a threat to continental land masses due to its isolated position.[nb 3][9] However, ships in the storm's vicinity and to the northwest of the hurricane were advised caution.[9] Other shipping lanes in the forecast path of the hurricane were also warned.[10] After recurving in the direction of Bermuda, the British overseas colony was advised to begin prompt precautionary measures against storm surge and strong winds, which were expected from the hurricane. Aircraft from the United States Air Force and Navy stationed in Bermuda were sent to airfields in the United States to avoid the hurricane, while a Navy task force of twelve ships including the escort carrier USS Mindoro (CVE-120) were dispatched from the island.[11] The U.S. naval operating base moved boats from exposed areas into safer parts of the base. Similar precautionary measures were undertaken by the British naval operating base.[12]

On Bermuda, the hurricane brought sustained winds estimated between 93–103 mph (150–166 km/h), with higher gusts.[12] A minimum pressure of 958 mbar (hPa; 28.30 inHg) was recorded, though a lower pressure may have occurred on the island as the barometer had been falling at the time.[13] The strong winds downed power lines and felled trees, littering insular streets with debris.[12] As a result, power outages occurred and loss of telecommunications was reported.[14] Radio stations based on the island went silent due to the power loss.[15] An emergency backup power generator at King Edward Memorial Hospital was used to restore electrical power to the facility. However, oil lamps were still used in place of any form of electrical lighting.[14] Several slate roofs were torn from their buildings from the strong winds.[16] Heavy rainfall associated with the hurricane flooded long stretches of roadway.[14] Some roads were blocked and rendered impassable by the rainfall.[17] At the local harbor, six vessels were inundated by the strong offshore wave action.[18] Overall, property damage on the island was estimated at $400,000.[17]

After sweeping past Bermuda, the Weather Bureau continued to advise caution to shipping lanes in the storm's proximity.[19] Two coastal railway steamers destined for a Newfoundland port were delayed as a result of the approaching storm. All flights headed for Torbay Airport were suspended until the storm's passage.[20] Before affecting Newfoundland, however, the hurricane impacted numerous shipping lanes in the open Atlantic. The freighter Leicester, which had departed from London and was headed for New York City, was caught in the hurricane late on September 14 while situated roughly 400 mi (640 km) southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[21] As weather conditions deteriorated, the ship began to list, and as such the crew abandoned the ship late the following day. The American steamship Cecil N. Bean and the Argentinian steamship Tropero both assisted in rescue operations and rescued 39 crew members. However, six other remained unaccounted for and were presumed dead.[22] The Portuguese fishing schooner Gaspar was also caught in the storm roughly 300 mi (480 km) off of Newfoundland,[23] and although initial reports presumed that it had already sunk, the United States Coast Guard indicated that the ship was in no need of assistance.[21] However, the ship was still abandoned and 41 crewmen were rescued, though one person was lost.[20]

Much of the effects from the hurricane on Newfoundland occurred on September 15 and continued until September 18. With winds equivalent to that of a Category 1 hurricane, the cyclone brushed east of the island, bringing extensive flooding. Offshore, a ship estimated winds in excess of 80 mph (130 km/h) off of Grand Bank. Precipitation peaked at a record 4.5 in (110 mm) at Fort Pepperrell. In St. John's, train traffic was effectively halted because of the hurricane. Silt kicked up by the strong winds covered railroad tracks in the southern portions of the city, while heavy rainfall flooded several city streets. Similar problems occurred in Avondale. The nearby Rennie River overflowed its banks, inundating adjacent land. The urban flooding damaged adjacent infrastructure. A three-year-old girl died on September 16 after a landslide triggered by the rain filled the first floor of her home. This was the only death associated with the hurricane on the island. In Holyrood, the local highway was washed out in areas. A small trestle with two concrete abutments were swept off into the adjacent bay. Another road leading to Cape Saint Francis suffered wash outs as deep as 4 ft (1.2 m). Small bridges were also damaged, and some were washed away. As with the Rennie River, the Waterford River also overflowed its banks due to excessive recharge, and as such inundated 13 homes. Another river near Kilbride overflowed, flooding adjacent plots of land and tearing apart pavement. In this manner, several roads were rendered impassable and were cut off to traffic.[20]