The terrorist attack on the World Trade Center was the most expensive catastrophe in history, costing $30 billion. Experts estimate that another attack could cause damages exceeding $250 billion and even more if it involves a nuclear facility or nuclear device.

In 1938, the 'Long Island Express' missed Manhattan by only 55 miles, a close call in meteorological terms. Even so, damages exceeded $300 million and 700 people were killed. A similar storm today could cause damages in the tens of billions of dollars.

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'And while New York is not hit as often as southeastern states, the region has suffered serious damage from storms, including the deadly 1938 hurricane that came to be known as the Long Island Express. Carol in 1954, Donna in 1960 and Gloria in 1985 also caused harm.'

- Newsday, 9/23/05

Visit New York City’s Office of Emergency Management’s Ready New York campaign with information to prepare New Yorkers for coastal storms and hurricanes.

Read Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Michael Balboni's report  'After the Storm... New York's State of Readiness.'

Read more about the hurricane threat to New York

Learn more about New York’s vulnerability to catastrophe:

New York City Office of Emergency Management

New York University Center for Catastrophe Preparedness and Response