Tag Archives: New York Hurricane History

1893 New York hurricane, a Category 1 Storm sweeps Hog Island away (Pictured on left side of the photo, NOAA Photo)

When you look back at the history of New York Hurricanes, some have made a huge impact on our shores. The disappearance of Hog Island, a little known resort town was due to the massive storm surge attributed to the 1893 New York hurricane, the wind speed was recorded at just 85 miles per hour. Meaning it doesn’t take much to make a dent in the shoreline here. Here is a synopsis of some of the larger impact hurricanes we have had here in New York. More importantly, it doesn’t take much in the way of wind speed for a hurricane to do its catastrophic work here in New York.
 
What most people don’t realize is when a wind speed is posted up even at 75 miles per hour on a category 1 storm, that’s sustained wind. Meaning it’s constant and relentless; and gusts can easily be in 110 mph range. There are few people if any that has ever witnessed or experienced here. In March 2010, many Staten Islanders were taken by

The March 2010 Nor'easter had left Staten Island in tatters in its aftermath.

 surprise at the level of damage sustained from a nor’easter that registered but one gust of 85 MPH. The damage was staggering by many Staten Islanders standards. It left large swaths of Staten Islanders without power for as long as a week. Oddly enough, the strongest part of the storm lasted all of about two hours, left areas with coastal flooding, and the metro New York Area with whopping $190,558,458 in insured losses. Fast-forward to today, at just category 1 or even tropical storm status, it would make a mark that would have a lasting impact on the minds of Staten Islanders. Let’s look at the Saffir-Simpson Scale and a history of storms that have impacted us here in New York City. 

On September 1, 1821, a Category 4 hurricane formed off the southeast coast of the United States.  The Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane of 1821 extended all the way to New England.  After the excessive damage, it inflicted in Norfolk, Virginia, the hurricane made its way to New York City.  On September 3, Manhattan became flooded all the way to Canal Street, and many ships were blown ashore on

1938 Hurricane Damage

Long Island.  The hurricane caused $200,000 worth of damage in 1821’s currency, and killed over twenty people.

On August 15, 1893, a hurricane formed over the Atlantic Ocean, steadily moving northwestward toward the East Coast of the United States.  The Category 3 hurricane had weakened, reaching western Long Island on August 24, with a wind speed of 85 mph.  As the storm moved over New York City, it swallowed a mile-long island south of Long Island, known as Hog Island.  At least thirty-four people died in the 1893 New York Hurricane; however, that may or may not include residents of the island that was taken by the storm.

The Long Isalnd Express…On September 10, 1938, a hurricane formed by the coast of Africa, traveling upward toward New England and as far as southern Quebec.  It reached New Jersey with 140 mph winds and on September 21 the New England Hurricane of 1938, as it was called, hit Long Island as a Category 3 hurricane.  The

Long Island Express Devastation on Long Island, NY (Noaa)

 185-feet high steeple of Old Whaler’s Church in Sag Harbor, Suffolk County toppled over and people had lost their power throughout the city.  In a span of twelve days, the hurricane had killed between 682 and 800 people, as well as left $306 million worth of damage, which would amount to $4.77 billion in 2011.

On September 9, 1944, a hurricane developed northeast of the Lesser Antilles.  On September 15, the Category 4 hurricane reached Long Island, weakening to a Category 3.  After inflicting much damage there, it continued on its way toward Canada.  The Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 lasted only nine days.  However, it caused $100 million worth of damage and took the lives of 390 people.

On August 29, 1960, Hurricane Donna formed by the Cape Verde islands, off the western coast of Africa.  For

1960 Hurricane Donna passes near New York

seventeen days, the Category 5 hurricane traveled northwestward, hitting every state on the eastern coast of the United States.  Winds reached 105 mph by the time it reached Long Island, destroying many piers.  By September 14, over 364 people had been killed by the hurricane.  The sixteen-day tragedy cost $900 million worth of damage.

On September 16, 1985, Hurricane Gloria formed, also by the Cape Verde islands.  This Category 4 hurricane caused thousands of trees to blow into buildings and streets in Long Island.  Roofs were ripped off buildings and 683,000 people in New York were left without power.  Some people did not have electricity for over eleven days.  While the damage was extensive, there were only eight fatalities.  However, the sixteen-day hurricane destroyed forty-eight houses on the east side of Long Island and cost a total of $900 million worth of damage.

Looking at the past major hurricanes to hit New York, you can see that they occurred about every twenty years since 1938, with some exceptions.  They also occurred with very little warning.  Considering the fact that the last one was in 1985, it is safe to say that we are due for one soon.  Hurricane Irene may just be it.  Flooding and strong winds can still occur even if the hurricane does not hit New York City.  Taking that into consideration, it’s always good to have a back-up plan.  Mayor Bloomberg has informed us of the precautions and steps we should take in the event the Hurricane Irene hits New York City.