startling statement on "it could happen tomorrow"

[Frank2]

True, but, there's probably a greater risk of a damaging earthquake, than a Katrina-type hurricane...

Frank

[hial2]

is it posible that if a hurricane hit NYC directly that we may go into a depression?

I don't think so..too many other as important hubs and a diverse economy...We as a nation can survive any NATURAL disaster..

[Derek Ortt]

I do not know that we could sustain a hit in the hundreds of billions, or the large loss of life unscathed. Even Katrina caused significant short term economic problems in terms of the gas prices. While NYC won't affect gas prices (I do not believe), there will be other impacts

[x-y-no]

I do not know that we could sustain a hit in the hundreds of billions, or the large loss of life unscathed. Even Katrina caused significant short term economic problems in terms of the gas prices. While NYC won't affect gas prices (I do not believe), there will be other impacts

I agree. Look at the extended economic impact 9/11 had - and while that was a major blow it was a relatively small fraction of the total financial infrastructure in southern Manhattan. It would be far more difficult to reconstitute the stuff that would be disrupted if a cat 2 or greater storm were to directly impact there.

[Ptarmigan]

I do not know that we could sustain a hit in the hundreds of billions, or the large loss of life unscathed. Even Katrina caused significant short term economic problems in terms of the gas prices. While NYC won't affect gas prices (I do not believe), there will be other impacts

New York may not be an energy center like Houston. Many large corporations have their headquarters in New York. Also, New York is home to many stock exchanges and financial institutions. In addition, many media corporations are based in New York, including the networks. Yes, it would have a large impact on the economy.

[hial2]

New York may not be an energy center like Houston. Many large corporations have their headquarters in New York. Also, New York is home to many stock exchanges and financial institutions. In addition, many media corporations are based in New York, including the networks. Yes, it would have a large impact on the economy.[/quote]

NYC is home to many blue chip companies, but that's all there is..If such a disaster were to occur, all they would have to do is move to their offices elsewhere, such as Chicago (who has as big or bigger stock exchange than NY,btw) and not miss a beat.Any impact (except for the insurance companies) would be mostly psychological and temporary, IMO..
New York is no longer the (only) heart of the USA..This said, let me clarify that this scenario only applies in case of a NATURAL disaster, not any other type (God forbid!).

[Derek Ortt]

A major hurricane may be the worst type of disaster that could befall NYC (except a hydrogen bomb attack). It will be worse than anything we have ever seen to date in the USA

several hundred billion in damage is going to put a very severe strain on our economy. Any massive reconstruction effort is going to mean a very high demand for goods. High demand would mean rapidly increasing inflation. In addition, the gov't reconstruction efforts would probably be financed by us... HIGHER TAXES

And an NYC major hurricane would not just affect NYC. All of LI, Connecticut,most of NJ and areas farther down the coast would also be in ruin; thus, it would affect a large percentage directly.

[Ptarmigan]

A major hurricane may be the worst type of disaster that could befall NYC (except a hydrogen bomb attack). It will be worse than anything we have ever seen to date in the USA

several hundred billion in damage is going to put a very severe strain on our economy. Any massive reconstruction effort is going to mean a very high demand for goods. High demand would mean rapidly increasing inflation. In addition, the gov't reconstruction efforts would probably be financed by us... HIGHER TAXES

And an NYC major hurricane would not just affect NYC. All of LI, Connecticut,most of NJ and areas farther down the coast would also be in ruin; thus, it would affect a large percentage directly.

I could imagine a huge New York diaspora. It would be the biggest mass exodus the world has seen.

[f5]

it would make Houston evacuation look like a cakewalk and look how bad that went temps up near 100 very high dewpoints and of course no gas

[hial2]

[quote="Derek Ortt

And an NYC major hurricane would not just affect NYC. All of LI, Connecticut,most of NJ and areas farther down the coast would also be in ruin; thus, it would affect a large percrtentage directly.[/quote]

The scenario you're painting is the result of a nuclear-type attack.. Armageddon.. For most of us there would be nothing to worry about..I hope.

I pray that neither one of us has the chance to prove our theories..

[Derek Ortt]

The scenario you're painting is the result of a nuclear-type attack.. Armageddon.. For most of us there would be nothing to worry about..I hope.

That would be the classic NYC major hurricane scenario. Due to the likely angle of approach, the first stop would probably be the Outer Banks (could also be SFla then Hat depending upon where the storm comes from). The size would be significantly larger than Katrina or Wilma at US landfall would mean most if not all of LI and CT (possibly RI) would meet a very similar fate as the MGC did in Katrina. Also, NJ would probably be the exact landfall zone (near Sea Bright) of an NYC major. Thus, it could be added to the destruction. Then, we would have the usual flooding from a TC in Pennsylvania

Lets hope neither this, nor the nuclear scenario ever occurs