1821 Norfolk and Long Island hurricane facts for kids

The 1821 Norfolk and Long Island hurricane was a very strong tropical cyclone that hit the East Coast of the United States. It was one of the most powerful storms to affect New York City in history. This hurricane caused a lot of damage and showed how dangerous nature can be.

How the Hurricane Began

This powerful storm was first spotted on September 1, 1821. It was seen off the coast of the Southeastern United States. At that time, its winds were blowing very fast, around 135 miles per hour. This speed makes it a very strong hurricane.

The Storm's Journey

The hurricane moved from the ocean onto land. It first hit near Wilmington, North Carolina. After that, it traveled north. The storm passed close to Norfolk, Virginia. It then moved across the Delmarva Peninsula, which includes parts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Next, it went through New Jersey, staying just a bit inland.

On September 3, the hurricane reached New York. It struck near Jamaica Bay. This area is now part of New York City. The storm continued its path. By September 4, the hurricane was over New England.

Impact and Damage

The 1821 Norfolk and Long Island hurricane was very destructive. It caused the deaths of 22 people. This happened as the storm moved across the Eastern United States.

Today, experts look back at this storm. The Swiss Re insurance company has studied it. They say that if a similar hurricane hit the East Coast of the United States now, the damage would be huge. It could cause more than $100 billion in damage. Some estimates even go as high as $200 billion.

This amount of damage is much higher than what was seen from Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Hurricane Sandy caused about $65 billion to $72 billion in damage. The 1821 hurricane was a very serious event. It reminds us how important it is to be ready for strong storms.