Historic Coastal Storms Highlight New York's Flooding Vulnerability
New York has experienced some of the most devastating hurricanes and coastal storms in U.S. history, with significant impacts on infrastructure and communities. The December 1992 nor’easter caused severe flooding, submerging parts of the FDR Drive under three to four feet of water, halting the PATH system, and closing bridges. Waterfront neighborhoods like Broad Channel, the Rockaways, and Coney Island were particularly hard-hit. Another notable storm, Hurricane Gloria, struck Long Island in the late 20th century, causing widespread tree and utility damage and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Coastal flooding was mitigated during Gloria due to the storm surge coinciding with low tide. These events underscore the region's vulnerability to both tropical and extra-tropical storms, such as the 1991 Perfect Storm, which brought fierce winds, heavy surf, and significant flooding. 
