Tag: hurricane

More than 230 people lost their lives during Superstorm Sandy's lethal trek from the Caribbean up the East Coast of the United States, millions lost power, and its total devastation stateside has been estimated at more than $70 billion. Sandy swallowed entire neighborhoods whole. Breezy Point, the Rockaways, Lindenhurst, Freeport, the city of Long Beach—the list goes on and on.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tropical storm warning for Long Island and the tristate area Saturday as Tropical Storm Hermine loomed in the Atlantic Ocean just south of the region.

Rain, gusty winds and strong surf are likely on Long Island over Labor Day weekend thanks to Hurricane Hermine, forecasters said. Uncertainty remains over the exact timing and potential local impact of the storm, which may pass south of Long Island, but the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a hazardous weather outlook Thursday for the New York Metro area, warning that Hermine may impact the region with heavy rain and strong winds over the holiday weekend.

Unwise development in the coastal floodplain and poor regional planning have put serious pressure on our Island's infrastructure. It doesn’t even have to be a major storm to leave a trail of destruction in its wake. For Long Island, just one direct hit from a hurricane could cripple our region. By far, the benchmark for these events was set in ’38 when the “Long Island Express” crushed the Island. Over the decades since the Express struck, LI’s population has exploded, especially on the East End and the South Shore, with subdivisions replacing critical wetlands, increasing our vulnerability to storm surges and wave action.

More wet weather is expected through the weekend, meteorologists said.

Local officials issued warnings as the storm reached major hurricane status.

Either way, rough seas are forecast to kick up rip currents that can be dangerous to swimmers.

“Preparedness is critical when it comes to life-threatening disasters such as hurricanes."

“It does take a village to help a community rebuild."