History, Natural History & the Arts
Flooding is one of the most common and costly natural disasters in New York State. It can be caused by severe weather such as large rain events, undersized infrastructure, poor stormwater drainage, and snow melt.
Being prepared for flooding is key to staying safe, protecting valuables, and allowing for an easier recovery. Take these steps to stay prepared and safe during a flood: [Read more…] about High Waters in Spring: Consider Flood Safety Now
One of the most extreme examples highlighted in the New York State Comptroller’s recent report on the increase of severe weather, was the October 29, 2012 landfall of Hurricane Sandy.
Sandy is an example of how the impacts of climate change act as “threat magnifiers,” and in the case of Sandy produce unprecedented damage to infrastructure and economic disruption. [Read more…] about The Impacts of ‘Superstorm Sandy’
A new report from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found the frequency of severe weather in the state is growing, taking a toll on New York’s residents, property and economy.
“Extreme weather events are happening more and more often and inflicting financial and emotional stress on New Yorkers from loss of life to property destruction,” DiNapoli said. [Read more…] about NY Severe Weather Events Increasing, Costs Soaring
The Trump regime’s 2026 budget passback plan, currently under consideration, eliminates National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Office and its 10 research laboratories and 16 affiliated Cooperative Institutes, and moves the few remaining research efforts to different NOAA departments.
If enacted, the passback plan would close all of NOAA’s weather, climate, and ocean Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes. [Read more…] about Meteorologists Warn About Trump Regime’s NOAA Plans
After several years of lighter winters, the Tug Hill Region is experiencing a heavier winter season with up to 26 feet of snow having fallen around Copenhagen and Barnes Corners, in Lewis County.
The timing of heavy snowfall events and the lack of a thaw have contributed to many structure failures, primarily where lake-effect bands hit in Oswego and Oneida counties. [Read more…] about 2024-25 Tug Hill Winter Snowfall Reaches 20+ Feet in Some Areas
The Northeast has experienced significant ice storms throughout history, and we may be due for another one.
Though we see icing in many winter storms, including recent ones, major ice storms cause widespread damage to forests and infrastructure, and occur in the Northeast every 15 to 25 years. [Read more…] about Major Ice Storms in History: Are We Past Due?
On January 8th, 1906, a catastrophic landslide destroyed a large portion of Haverstraw in Rockland County, NY, and took the lives of 19 people.
On the anniversary of this tragic event, we commemorate the lives lost and the bravery of so many: the rescue teams, search parties, and members of the S.W. Johnson Steam Fire Engine Company that saved many despite the cold and harsh winter. [Read more…] about The Great Haverstraw Landslide of 1906
The latest episode of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s “DEC Does What?!” podcast, “When Disaster Strikes,” takes a closer look at how DEC supported recovery efforts as part of the New York State Incident Management Team (IMT) operations in the city of Asheville, NC, following the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024. [Read more…] about When Disaster Strikes: The New York State Incident Management Team
Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States each year, more than hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding combined. The latest episode of the “DEC Does What?!” podcast tackles the issue of extreme heat in New York State.
[Read more…] about Extreme Heat In New York State
During the summer, several tornados and microbursts touched down in Hamilton, Fulton, and Saratoga counties. Significant damage occurred to the Northville- Placid Trail in the Adirondacks south of Piseco, making the trail difficult to navigate and largely impassable in places. [Read more…] about Massive Storm Damage on Northville-Placid Trail Cleared
The Canal Corporation is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Debby and is preparing to lift the Erie Canal’s Movable Dams between Lock E-8 in Rotterdam and Lock E-15 in Fort Plain beginning at 9 am on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
The lifting of the movable dams will result in the full lowering of the canal to winter levels and therefore its closure in this area. The storm’s exact path remains uncertain, but impacts are expected by late Thursday or early Friday. [Read more…] about UPDATE: Canal System Users: Prepare for Tropical Storm Debby
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a backcountry advisory for the Adirondacks as the department continues to evaluate storm impacts, including those from the remnants of Hurricane Beryl. DEC is assessing roads and State facilities in the region damaged by flooding and other storm impacts. [Read more…] about Adirondack Trails Advisory in Effect
July 2023 was the hottest month ever recorded worldwide, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Rising temperatures associated with climate change have dramatically increased atmospheric moisture, causing more frequent and severe storms. [Read more…] about How Flooding Impacts Aquatic Life
New York City’s Battery Coastal Resilience project, a $200-million component of the overall Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency strategy, broke ground last week to rebuild and elevate the wharf promenade in The Battery to 11 feet above sea level to protect against expected sea level rise due to global climate change. [Read more…] about Battery Coastal Resilience Project Breaks Ground
Colorado State University (CSU) hurricane researchers are predicting an extremely active Atlantic hurricane season in their initial 2024 forecast. The team cites record warm tropical and eastern subtropical Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperatures as a primary factor for their prediction of 11 hurricanes this year.
The forecast probability of a named storm impacting New York State is 41%; of being impacted by a hurricane, 16%; and of being impacted by a major hurricane (Category 3 and above, with winds at least 111 miles per hour), 9%. Suffolk County on Long Island has the biggest chance of being impacted by one of these storm, with a probability of 33%. [Read more…] about Most Hurricanes Ever Predicted For 2024 Hurricane Season: Potential New York Impacts
Hurricanes are infrequent visitors to New York City. Major hurricanes, those with winds 111 miles per hour and above, making landfall in the city are rarer still. One of these was the first storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season in 1821, originally called “The Great September Gale,” it’s now known as the Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane.
The Category 3 storm came ashore in Jamacia Bay, on September 3rd. A 13-foot storm surge, which luckily hit at low tide, rose within an hour and flooded Manhattan Island from the Battery to Canal Street, uniting the Hudson and East Rivers. It tossed ships into the streets, and destroy harbor docks and the bridge to Ward’s Island. It also resulted in a major scientific discovery. [Read more…] about William Redfield & The Great September Gale of 1821
The sharpest contrast between rivers and lakes is in water movement. While rivers flow inexorably downhill, lake water movement is more subtle. Anyone who has weathered a storm on a lake, however, can attest that less consistent water movement does not mean no water movement at all.
In fact, at one point, about 5,000 years ago, it seems a tsunami formed on Lake Champlain. [Read more…] about The Tale of a Lake Champlain Tsunami
This photograph of an unidentified boy shows the enormous drifts of snow deposited in the streets of New York City by the blizzard of March 11-14, 1888.
The storm stretched from the Chesapeake Bay to Canada and left devastation in its wake, disrupting rail, telegraph, and mail service and causing hundreds of deaths and tens millions of dollars in property damage. [Read more…] about Communities Cut Off: The Blizzard of 1888
Bear Mountain State Park is closed due to damage from a heavy rainstorm and flash floods on Sunday, July 9th. The storm’s epicenter landed near West Point, NY, where as much as 9 inches of rain fell in less than six hours – an unprecedented amount that overwhelmed local infrastructure and landscapes.
There was tragic loss of life and destruction in nearby towns, and the floods caused significant damage in nearby Palisades Parks and closed the Appalachian Trail. [Read more…] about Bear Mountain State Park, Appalachian Trail Remain Closed 4 Weeks After Storm
TORNADO AT SCHENECTADY. On Saturday last [August 28, 1847], about four o’clock in the afternoon, Schenectady was visited by a phenomenon unusual in these high latitudes. Gentlemen who witnessed its inception, relate that a heavy storm seemed gathering over the high grounds which bound the city on the East, when suddenly large clouds were seen to rush towards each other from opposite directions with amazing velocity. [Read more…] about A Tornado in Schenectady, 1847
Use your bank’s “bill pay” option (or just send a check)
Thanks for your support! These are difficult times. Without your support we cannot publish the Almanack.
*Donations are not tax deductible.
(Click the X in the top right corner this box to not see this message again for 7 days).