Hurricane Hazel originated in the Caribbean Sea on October 5, 1954, rapidly escalating into a powerful storm. By October 15, the hurricane made landfall at the North Carolina coast. Its winds reached up to 130 mph, and the storm brought not only strong winds but also relentless rain. The torrential downpour resulted in catastrophic flooding as rivers overflowed their banks. Coastal regions as well as inland areas were heavily impacted, with major cities along the eastern seaboard feeling the brunt of its fury. The storm was unique in how far north it affected; Toronto, Canada, experienced significant downstream impacts from the storm’s heavy rain, which surged into rivers, causing further flooding.The damage from Hurricane Hazel was extensive, with entire neighborhoods submerged, homes destroyed, and infrastructure severely affected. Power outages were widespread, and emergency services were overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster. Across affected areas, people were stranded and in desperate need of assistance. The response from federal and state agencies aimed to provide relief, but the storm's rapid onset left many communities vulnerable. Hazel took the lives of 95 individuals, highlighting the deadly power of hurricanes that struck unexpectedly and with little warning. Recovery efforts were complicated by the sheer volume of water and debris.