Hurricane Hazel rips up Riverdale

1954

Rock me like a ...

At the beginning of 1954, The Press reported that cases of arson had doubled in recent years. Firemen, however, said that the majority of the fires seemed to have been caused by carelessness or were of "the burned steak variety."

Later in the year, Hurricane Hazel blew across the ocean and fell upon Riverdale and Kingsbridge in a mad fury. In the aftermath of the storm, Riverdale became a playground for kids who eagerly climbed the enormous trunks of fallen trees. A couple was spared when they decided against driving to church only minutes before a giant oak crushed their car. Riverdale was among the hardest hit areas in New York. Residents spent days chopping and digging their way through the debris.

Two neighborhood cornerstones were built in that year. St. Margaret's began excavation work for an eight-classroom annex at the school. Riverdale Temple opened its doors and was deemed an "architectural gem." The temple celebrated the dedication of the new building at West 246th Street and Independence Avenue with a three-day program of special services.