Brace yourself, Northeast: a devastating hurricane could be on the horizon, threatening millions with unprecedented destruction.
According to the Daily Mail, AccuWeather has issued a stark warning to millions along the Northeast coastline, highlighting the region's overdue status for a major hurricane that could rival the catastrophic Great New England Hurricane of 1938 and potentially cause up to $440 billion in damage.
Looking back, the Northeast has a history of powerful storms, though none have struck directly in recent decades. The last significant hurricane to make landfall in the region was Hurricane Bob on Aug. 19, 1991, which battered Rhode Island with sustained winds over 100 mph. That storm led to deadly surges, widespread power outages, and damages exceeding $1.5 billion, equivalent to $3.46 billion in today's terms.
Even more destructive was the Great New England Hurricane, which roared through Long Island and Southern New England on Sept. 21, 1938. As a Category 3 storm, it unleashed sustained winds of 121 mph and a peak gust of 186 mph, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It demolished over 8,900 homes, 2,600 boats, and two billion trees, claiming 700 lives and causing damage up to $450 million at the time.
Back in 1938, the northeastern U.S. population was around 16.7 million, a far cry from today's 57 million residents. This dramatic increase means a similar storm today would impact far more lives and infrastructure, amplifying potential losses. AccuWeather estimates that if a storm of that magnitude hit now, damages could soar to $440 billion, dwarfing even Hurricane Katrina's inflation-adjusted cost of $320 billion.
Jonathan Porter, an expert from AccuWeather, emphasized the severity of such an event, stating, "If the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 were to happen today, AccuWeather experts estimate the total damage and economic loss would reach $440 billion."
He added, "To put that staggering price tag into perspective, AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Katrina was $320 billion, adjusted for inflation today." This potential for devastation places it among the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history if it were to occur.
The Northeast hasn't faced a direct Category 1 or stronger hurricane landfall in over 30 years, a gap that worries meteorologists. Historically, a hurricane impacts the area from New Jersey to southern New England every 15 to 20 years, as noted by Alex DaSilva, a weather expert. He said, "Typically, every 15 to 20 years on average, a hurricane will strike New Jersey northward into southern New England."
DaSilva also pointed out a dangerous misconception, stating, "A lot of people in the Northeast don't take hurricanes seriously because they haven't had one since 1991." He continued, "They think of bad storms as Nor'easters, but hurricanes are much worse." This complacency could leave many unprepared for the real threat of a tropical storm.
Moreover, DaSilva warned, "A long stretch without a landfalling hurricane doesn't mean the risk has gone away." The likelihood of a major Category 3 or higher hurricane striking the Northeast is about 1.5 percent annually, akin to flipping a coin six times and getting the same outcome. DaSilva noted, "A major hurricane, so that's Category 3 or higher, for the Northeast is every 60 to 70 years or so."
Adding to the concern, rising ocean temperatures could intensify future storms that reach the Northeast, making them even more destructive. Despite no elevated risk for this season, AccuWeather predicts three to six storms could directly impact the U.S. this year. The region remains vulnerable, having gone more than 70 years without a major hurricane landfall, making it climatologically overdue.
More recently, Superstorm Sandy slammed New Jersey on Oct. 29, 2012, causing extensive coastal damage and blizzard conditions in parts of the Appalachians. It led to prolonged power outages and widespread disruptions, with AccuWeather estimating total damages at $210 billion. These events serve as stark reminders of the region's susceptibility to tropical systems.
Hurricane experts are now urging residents, businesses, and emergency officials across the Northeast and New England to stay vigilant. Many in the area mistakenly believe hurricanes only threaten the Southeast or Gulf Coast, underestimating their local risk. Jonathan Porter stressed the inevitability, saying, "This kind of storm will happen again in New England; it's just a question of when. People have to be prepared."
AccuWeather issued this critical alert on a Tuesday, though no specific date was provided beyond the day of the week. The warning aims to shake the Northeast from its false sense of security regarding tropical threats. With millions at risk, the time to prepare for a potential disaster is now, before the next big storm strikes.