9 Hurricanes Could Hit New York City This Season: Experts

NEW YORK CITY — Hurricane season could send up to nine hurricanes spiraling toward New York City this year, forecasters said.

Atlantic hurricane season began Thursday and will run until Nov. 30, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Forecasters with the agency's Climate Prediction Center last week predicted a 40 percent chance of a near-normal season and 30 percent chances each of "above-normal" and "below-normal" season.

New Yorkers can expect between five and nine hurricanes will develop, forecasters said. Of those, one to four could turn into major hurricanes, they said.

“As we saw with Hurricane Ian, it only takes one hurricane to cause widespread devastation and upend lives," said Deanne Criswell, FEMA's administrator, in a statement. "So regardless of the number of storms predicted this season, it is critical that everyone understand their risk and heed the warnings of state and local officials."

The city has been hit, directly or indirectly, by several tropical storms and hurricanes in recent years.

The remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021 gave the city the wettest hour in its history — a record set just days after the previous high water mark set by Tropical Storm Henri. Eighteen people died as Ida struck and flooded streets, subways and basement apartments.

City emergency management officials advise New Yorkers to know their evacuation zone, make an emergency plan and save a guide to weather hazard preparedness.