In an annual "popular demand" commemoration for many viewers - and with deep respect and condolences to our neighbors and families in Texas, Florida, and now Puerto Rico suffering the devastating aftermath of a busy hurricane season with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria - Rhode Island PBS encores Wake of '38 on September 21, its 79th anniversary.
In the days before the weather service began naming storms, one fast-moving storm careened up the east coast, wiping out entire New England coastal communities, and taking 600 lives. It is known plainly and simply as the Hurricane of 1938, but its effects were anything but plain or simple - and its scars are still visible on buildings in downtown Providence.
In 1978, WSBE (then "Channel 36" now "Rhode Island PBS") marked the 40th anniversary of the hurricane by making a documentary, using archival footage and interviews with survivors. The dramatic story won an Emmy Award for WSBE.
We proudly and respectfully present our award-winning documentary, Wake of '38, on Thursday, September 21 at 8 p.m., as well as Saturday, September 23 at noon and 11 p.m., and Sunday, September 24 at 7 p.m. on WSBE Rhode Island PBS, as part of our ongoing series Rhode Island Stories, a collection of local documentaries about the people, places, and events with a strong local connection. The film also airs on WSBE Learn on Tuesday, September 26 at 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 28 at midnight, and Saturday, September 30 at 2 p.m.
Click here for our comprehensive 75th anniversary blog post from 2013 that includes several remarkable photos.
