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| Hurricanes and New York City |
New York City is at risk for high winds, coastal flooding and rainfall related flooding.
1821 The Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane of September 3-4 tracked over New York City,
leaving long-lasting impressions. Based on a damage comparison to hurricanes of known
strength at this latitude, it was likely a Category 1, with sustained winds in the 74 to 95 mph
range and higher gusts. (Although wind related damage was widespread, the storm was not
catastrophic, contrary to myth.)
1882 Several times each century the metropolitan area experiences extensive hurricane
related flooding. During September 22-23, Central Park collected 10.62 inches of rain. Amounts
were even heavier in the western suburbs. The deluge fell on ground previously soaked by a
tropical system on September 11-12. (The 16.85 inches that fell in September makes it the
wettest month in city history.)
1893 This was an especially active year, as hurricanes repeatedly targeted the East Coast.
New York City received notable effects from three storms, with the strongest making landfall in
the metropolitan area on August 24. Minimal sustained hurricane force winds battered the area.
The ocean ravaged nearby beach resorts.
1903 On September 16, a tropical storm/borderline hurricane made landfall near Atlantic
City, New Jersey. Gale-force winds extended north to the New York City area. A more destructive
tropical system stalled and gradually dissipated south of Long Island during October. On October
9, a total of 8.01 inches of rain drenched Central Park. Rainfall on October 8-9 topped 10
inches throughout the metropolitan area.
1938 The geographic position of New York City reduces the likelihood of a direct hit by an
intense hurricane. Cooler ocean water and several hours with most of the storm's circulation
swirling over land before the center (eye) comes on shore saps the strength of the rare tropical
system that approaches from the sea. Nevertheless, powerful Category 3 hurricanes have made
landfall on Long Island, within 50 or 60 miles of downtown. The "Long Island Express" or "Great
New England Hurricane" of September 21 killed more than 600 people after striking eastern
Long Island. The barometer in Manhattan bottomed at a September record low of 28.72 inches.
Gusts of hurricane force caused various damage in the city, but losses were modest compared
to sections east of the storm center and from torrential rainfall in the highlands of eastern New
England.
1944 The "Great Atlantic Hurricane" tracked about 60 miles east of the city on September
14, making landfall very near the same location as the Great New England Hurricane of 1938.
High winds and heavy rain (more than 10 inches in some metropolitan locations from September
12-14) caused more damage in the city than the 1938 storm.
1954 Hurricane Hazel tracked about 150 miles west on October 15. Hazel brought a record
peak sustained wind of 99 mph and a gust of 113 mph to the Battery weather station on top the
Whitehall Building, 400 feet above street level. Winds at street level were about 30 to 40 mph
less. About an inch of rain fell in the metropolitan area.
1955 Hurricane Connie dropped 12.20 inches of rain on La Guardia Airport from August 11-
13 during a period of 38 hours. Hurricane Diane arrived on August 18-19, dropping 2 to 4
inches in the metropolitan area, but much higher amounts 50 to 100 miles west and north. Diane
caused one of New England's most destructive floods.
1960 Hurricane Donna struck Long Island as a Category 2 hurricane on September 12. An
elongated eye brushed eastern sections of the metropolitan area. Gusts in the city reached
hurricane force, and Donna caused a record tide. Rainfall in some places topped five inches.
1991 On August 19, Hurricane Bob struck Long Island, accompanied by 100 mph winds.
New York City, about 50 miles west of Bob's track, experienced several hours of gales. Bob is
the last hurricane to make landfall on Long Island.
1999 Hurricane Floyd brought a deluge on September 16, more than five inches of rain to
much of the New York metropolitan area. In northwestern New Jersey and southeastern New
York totals in some places topped ten inches, resulting in severe flooding.
2011 On August 28, Irene, downgraded to a tropical storm, tracked through the city.
Damage was less than expected. However, the storm caused large-scale power outages. It also
caused historic flooding in nearby sections of New Jersey and in upstate sections of eastern
New York and adjacent sections of New England.
2012 Hurricane Sandy blew in on October 29-30. Massive power outages, subway closure
and numerous other utility and transportation disruptions will long be remembered. Shore
locations in the city suffered massive surge damage. A wind-swept fire detroyed more than 100
homes in the Queens neighborhood of Breezy Point. Staten Island was hit hard by record surge.
During the past century, several hurricanes have brought hurricane force gusts.
During August 28, 2011, Irene tracked over the city as a tropical storm. The eye of
Hurricane Belle in 1976 passed through the eastern suburbs, and the western edge of
Hurricane Donna's eye in 1960 clipped the city.
Tropical systems occasionally generate double-digit rainfall.
The following are some of New York City's significant tropical cyclones:
1821 The Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane of September 3-4 tracked over New York City,
leaving long-lasting impressions. Based on a damage comparison to hurricanes of known
strength at this latitude, it was likely a Category 1, with sustained winds in the 74 to 95 mph
range and higher gusts. (Although wind related damage was widespread, the storm was not
catastrophic, contrary to myth.)
1882 Several times each century the metropolitan area experiences extensive hurricane
related flooding. During September 22-23, Central Park collected 10.62 inches of rain. Amounts
were even heavier in the western suburbs. The deluge fell on ground previously soaked by a
tropical system on September 11-12. (The 16.85 inches that fell in September makes it the
wettest month in city history.)
1893 This was an especially active year, as hurricanes repeatedly targeted the East Coast.
New York City received notable effects from three storms, with the strongest making landfall in
the metropolitan area on August 24. Minimal sustained hurricane force winds battered the area.
The ocean ravaged nearby beach resorts.
1903 On September 16, a tropical storm/borderline hurricane made landfall near Atlantic
City, New Jersey. Gale-force winds extended north to the New York City area. A more destructive
tropical system stalled and gradually dissipated south of Long Island during October. On October
9, a total of 8.01 inches of rain drenched Central Park. Rainfall on October 8-9 topped 10
inches throughout the metropolitan area.
1938 The geographic position of New York City reduces the likelihood of a direct hit by an
intense hurricane. Cooler ocean water and several hours with most of the storm's circulation
swirling over land before the center (eye) comes on shore saps the strength of the rare tropical
system that approaches from the sea. Nevertheless, powerful Category 3 hurricanes have made
landfall on Long Island, within 50 or 60 miles of downtown. The "Long Island Express" or "Great
New England Hurricane" of September 21 killed more than 600 people after striking eastern
Long Island. The barometer in Manhattan bottomed at a September record low of 28.72 inches.
Gusts of hurricane force caused various damage in the city, but losses were modest compared
to sections east of the storm center and from torrential rainfall in the highlands of eastern New
England.
1944 The "Great Atlantic Hurricane" tracked about 60 miles east of the city on September
14, making landfall very near the same location as the Great New England Hurricane of 1938.
High winds and heavy rain (more than 10 inches in some metropolitan locations from September
12-14) caused more damage in the city than the 1938 storm.
1954 Hurricane Hazel tracked about 150 miles west on October 15. Hazel brought a record
peak sustained wind of 99 mph and a gust of 113 mph to the Battery weather station on top the
Whitehall Building, 400 feet above street level. Winds at street level were about 30 to 40 mph
less. About an inch of rain fell in the metropolitan area.
1955 Hurricane Connie dropped 12.20 inches of rain on La Guardia Airport from August 11-
13 during a period of 38 hours. Hurricane Diane arrived on August 18-19, dropping 2 to 4
inches in the metropolitan area, but much higher amounts 50 to 100 miles west and north. Diane
caused one of New England's most destructive floods.
1960 Hurricane Donna struck Long Island as a Category 2 hurricane on September 12. An
elongated eye brushed eastern sections of the metropolitan area. Gusts in the city reached
hurricane force, and Donna caused a record tide. Rainfall in some places topped five inches.
1991 On August 19, Hurricane Bob struck Long Island, accompanied by 100 mph winds.
New York City, about 50 miles west of Bob's track, experienced several hours of gales. Bob is
the last hurricane to make landfall on Long Island.
1999 Hurricane Floyd brought a deluge on September 16, more than five inches of rain to
much of the New York metropolitan area. In northwestern New Jersey and southeastern New
York totals in some places topped ten inches, resulting in severe flooding.
2011 On August 28, Irene, downgraded to a tropical storm, tracked through the city.
Damage was less than expected. However, the storm caused large-scale power outages. It also
caused historic flooding in nearby sections of New Jersey and in upstate sections of eastern
New York and adjacent sections of New England.
2012 Hurricane Sandy blew in on October 29-30. Massive power outages, subway closure
and numerous other utility and transportation disruptions will long be remembered. Shore
locations in the city suffered massive surge damage. A wind-swept fire detroyed more than 100
homes in the Queens neighborhood of Breezy Point. Staten Island was hit hard by record surge.
| To learn more, order Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. Send a check or money order for $21.95, postpaid, for this 400-page, heavily illustrated, hardcover book. (Internet special: The regular price is $32.95.) Make checks payable to Blue Diamond Books. Mail to: 6516 China Grove Ct., Alexandria, VA 22310. Or pay by credit card through the convenience of PayPal. |
Rescuers try to revive a flood vicitim of Hurricane Donna. The storm generated record tides in the
metropolitan area, since exceeded by Hurricane Sandy. (NOAA, Department of Commerce)
metropolitan area, since exceeded by Hurricane Sandy. (NOAA, Department of Commerce)
