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Long Island's southern coastline faces the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean and is vulnerable to numerous coastal hazards, especially the unobstructed path of southern storms traveling up the coast. Eastern Long Island is listed in the top ten areas in the U.S. most vulnerable to hurricanes. Because of this unique geographic location, exposure, and vulnerability, the 1.5 million residents of Suffolk County are susceptible to a variety of coastal events and natural disasters.

During the winter of '09 and spring of '10, two Long Island storms were declared Presidential Disasters and caused over $50 million in public property damage and $7 million in homeowner losses. Neither of these were hurricanes.

More recently, Hurricane Irene in '11 and Super Storm Sandy in '12 caused major damages to our area.

Hurricane Irene

  • Tropical Storm when it made landfall
  • Over 340,000 customers in Suffolk and 523,000 across Long Island without power
  • Over $34 million in Public Assistance claims filed with FEMA

Super Storm Sandy

  • Tropical Storm winds hit Long Island
  • 16' Storm Surge on Fire Island
  • Over 31,000 homes flooded
  • Over 750,000 customers in Suffolk and 1.2 million across Long Island without power
  • Over $1.3 billion in Aid to Individuals and $160 million in Public Assistance claims filed with FEMA

Suffolk County has experienced seven (7) Presidentially Declared Disasters in the seven (7) year period beginning with the Nor'easter of April 2007 and continuing through the Blizzard of February 2013. The frequency of these storm events is something that has not been seen in recent times.

LONG ISLAND'S HISTORY SHOWS WE ARE VULNERABLE TO DAMAGING STORMS.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT ONE???

Suffolk County has developed this website as an information source for our residents to assist in their individual preparedness should a disaster occur. An educated and aware public is one of our primary defenses against losses.