In the News...

Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods...monster storms aren't just a present-day phenomenon. Read about one of Long Island's worst storms in R.A. Scotti's gripping true story Sudden Sea: The Great Hurricane of 1938. This dramatic recreation of the hurricane that ripped apart Long Island and the New England coast, has been praised by critics and book groups alike. Scotti draws on archival footage, newspaper accounts, and the personal testimony of survivors. Or, you may want to read Hurricane!, by Joe McCarthy, an earlier book about this same storm that left 650 people dead and 1,754 injured.

Recent reports of tornadoes on Long Island are causing quite a stir. Those unfamiliar with this less frequent but devastatingly destructive event may want to learn the basics from Tornadoes by Michael Allaby. Part of the Dangerous Weather series, these books explain our weather in layman's terms with diagrams and photos.

Tornado Hunter: Getting Inside the Most Violent Storms on Earth by Stefan Bechtel with Tim Samaras tells us the remarkable story of storm chasers who spearhead daring missions to extract secrets from Earth's most violent weather. You'll see the first ever photos from inside a tornado and meet survivors with incredible tales.

Preparedness is the key to the Island's wild weather. Check at the Reference Desk for information from our Emergency Management vertical file, or get advice from one of our numerous books on the subject, such as The Homeowner's Hurricane Handbook by Bob Sterns.