Introduction: What is a Hurricane and its Risk to New York

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A hurricane is a powerful and destructive storm characterized by strong winds, heavy rain, and often flooding. The storm originates over tropical waters, and is generally accompanied by thunder, lightning, and intense winds. Hurricanes can cause extensive damage, both to property and to people, and can severely disrupt daily life. In the United States, hurricanes are a major risk in many coastal areas, including New York.

Hurricanes form from low-pressure systems in the tropics which, when combined with high winds, can cause extensive damage. The storm is fueled by warm ocean water, and can potentially travel thousands of miles before making landfall. Hurricanes are categorized according to the strength of their winds, with Category 1 being the weakest and Category 5 being the strongest.

In the United States, hurricanes pose a particular risk to coastal areas, such