Past Hurricanes in New York: Most Terrible Pictures

Tropical Storm Irene was downgraded from a hurricane which headed to New York on Sunday killed at least 18 people and caused extensive damage. In fact, in New York City history, there were only a few big hurricanes ever hit New York City. The last of them was Hurricane Gloria in 1985, which caused substantial damage on Long Island.

The Great Atlantic Hurricane in 1944, an intenseAtlantic hurricane was ever compared to the New England Hurricane of 1938. The hurricane cost $100 million in damage or $965 million in 2010, roughly one-third of the 1938 hurricane. Furthermore, 390 lives were lost during the hurricane; most from marine casualties and 46 deaths occurred on land, the low toll due to well-executed warnings and evacuations.

These trees were tilted when the high winds of the Great Atlantic Hurricane swept the corner of Rockefeller Plaza and 49th Street on September 15, 1944, New York

A fast-moving hurricane named Hurricane Carol 1954 with winds up to 100 miles an hour and torrential rains caused destructive waves in Asbury Park

This terrifying picture of an auto gone aground on Montauk Highway at Napeague, Long Island, New York on August 31, 1954, following Hurricane Carol which caused untold damage on eastern end of the island

Hurricane Connie in 1955 caused the heaviest rains of the year. Many cellars were flooded and a lot of roofs made dangerous heavy by the weight of the water, and motor cars accumulated along highways leading to the city.

Motorists took it easy through the underpass at Queens Blvd. and Horace Harding Blvd. on August 12, 1955 in Long Island, New York

This image showed off roads flooded at Long Island, New York on August 12, 1955 because of Hurricane Connie

Tropical Storm Doria in 1971 with torrential rains shattered windows throughout the metropolitan region including this automobile showroom Queens on August 28, 1971 in New York

Pedestrians hurry home with umbrella at the outside Grand Central Terminal as Hurricane Gloria heads to New York City in 1985. At that time, most schools and many businesses in the city are closed in anticipation of the hurricane

The windows of Saks Fifth Avenue were taped up to deal with the arrival of Hurricane Gloria in 1985

The Hurricane Gloria 1985 picture showed off roofs of houses in Fire Island, New York, blown away

A tree was seen on the top of a car in Freeport, Long Island caused by heavy winds and driving rain of Hurricane Gloria in 1985

A tree collapsed in the middle of New York's Fifth Avenue near 94th Street after Hurricane Gloria 1985 with heavy rains and strong winds passed through the city