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Hurricane Risk for Long Beach, NY

No tropical storms currently threaten the Long Beach area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.

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On this page
  1. By the numbers
  2. Most recent hurricane
  3. Strongest ever
  4. Closest approach
  5. When hurricanes hit
  6. Recent notable storms
  7. Preparedness

Since 1851, 111 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Long Beach. Here's what you should know.

Local note: As a low-lying barrier island on Long Island’s south shore, Long Beach is most threatened by storm surge and coastal flooding — recent powerful storms such as Hurricane Ida (2021) and Zeta (2020) produced damaging surge and beach erosion that define its hurricane risk.

By the numbers

Total storms
111
since 1851
Major (Cat 3+)
34
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
79
all categories
County
Nassau County
New York

Most recent hurricane

Elsa (2021)

Passed within 36 miles of Long Beach on July 09, 2021. Peak intensity: Cat 1 (86 mph).

Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby

Unnamed (1938)

Reached Cat 5 (161 mph) at its peak. Passed within 41 miles of Long Beach.

Closest approach ever

Unnamed (1872)

Passed just 7.4 miles from Long Beach on October 26, 1872.

When hurricanes hit Long Beach

Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1851:

Jan
0
Feb
0
Mar
0
Apr
0
May
3
Jun
10
Jul
8
Aug
30
Sep
39
Oct
19
Nov
2
Dec
0

Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.

Prep your supplies before the storm is named

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Recent notable storms (last 20 years)

Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Long Beach residents likely remember:

Storm Year Peak Closest Date
Elsa 2021 Cat 1 36 mi Jul 09, 2021
Ida 2021 Cat 4 45 mi Sep 02, 2021
Henri 2021 Cat 1 64 mi Aug 23, 2021
Isaias 2020 Cat 1 78 mi Aug 04, 2020
Zeta 2020 Cat 3 128 mi Oct 30, 2020
Florence 2018 Cat 4 113 mi Sep 18, 2018
Michael 2018 Cat 5 192 mi Oct 12, 2018
Hermine 2016 Cat 1 104 mi Sep 06, 2016
Arthur 2014 Cat 2 165 mi Jul 04, 2014
Sandy 2012 Cat 3 87 mi Oct 30, 2012
Irene 2011 Cat 3 18 mi Aug 28, 2011
Earl 2010 Cat 4 192 mi Sep 04, 2010
Hanna 2008 Cat 1 60 mi Sep 07, 2008
Ernesto 2006 Cat 1 167 mi Sep 03, 2006

Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Long Beach is in Nassau County — look up your evacuation zone here.
  2. Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
  3. Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
  4. Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
  5. Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.