I've posted on this many times, so you may want to go back and read the hurricane history forum. For an easy link, click on the Calendar on September 21...then click on the link I posted. (second entry). It gives an outstanding account of all facets of the storm, including some personal recounts. BTW, the "Long Island Express," as it was called, was a Cat III, but was moving at a forward speed of 70 MPH as it crossed the Island near Bellport. It holds the record for the fastest moving forward speed of any tropical storm.

And no, your grandparents weren't exaggerating!