New York Weather News - Jeff's Weather Blog

After Wednesday's flooding rains, I question whether the city is prepared for a major storm. The rain lasted for a short period of time, yet crippled the city's underground subway system. It also wreaked havoc above ground for morning commuters. This brings me to today's subject: Are we prepared for a major storm in NYC? In the event of a major hurricane, or even a minimal hurricane, I don't think this city is anywhere near prepared.
What most residents don't realize is that New York and New Jersey meet at a right angle. In the event of a hurricane, massive amounts of ocean water would pile into southern Manhattan. The center of circulation of a hurricane spins counter clockwise (to the left). Think about it as a big whirlpool sitting above the ocean. The front right hand quadrant of a storm would cause major coastal erosion, flooding rains and heavy winds.

The last major hurricane to strike was The 1938 Long Island Express, a borderline category-4 hurricane that plowed into West Hampton. The storm caused death and devastation across New York, New Jersey and New England. Since then, there have been hurricanes but none with such intensity. In the past three years, we have seen so many storms forming in the Atlantic and with more storms, there is a greater possibility of the big one actually hitting the east coast.

Check out this map outlining areas in New York City that will be severely affected by storm surge in the event of a major hurricane.
If you live in Communities in Zone A, represented by the orange color ( say anywhere 42nd street east or west side along the river) you face the highest risk of storm surge. Zone B, represented by yellow, indicates areas at risk of storm surge from a MODERATE hurricane. Zone C, represented by the following green, indicates areas at risk of storm surge. According to the United States Geological Survey, there is a 71% probability of a major hurricane that will cause 1,000 deaths within the next 20 years. Yeah, Debbie Downer

AP Photo Credit: /Wally Santana

Be Ready, check out One Storm for your complete Hurricane Planning

And for more Hurricane Information check out the New Hurricane Almanac written by Bryan Norcross