New York City is known for being one of the most populous and busiest cities in the world. It’s also no stranger to disaster. Here are 10 of the worst disasters in New York City history, many of which forced change but have been forgotten.
by David Stone
for The Roosevelt Island Daily
The 10 Worst Disasters in New York History
# 1. The September 11th, 2001, Terrorist Attack
The September 11th, 2001, attack was the deadliest terrorist attack in United States history.
That sunny, late summer day, a group of Islamic terrorists hijacked 4 commercial airliners and flew two of them into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and caused billions of dollars in damage.
See also: New York History in 1879, and Its Reflection: Roosevelt Island
The events of 9/11 marked a turning point in the United States’ response to terrorism, with the country launching large-scale military operations in the Middle East and enacting new security measures at home.
# 2. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire is considered the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of New York City. On March 25, 1911, a fire started on the 8th floor of the factory and quickly spread. The doors were locked so that the workers couldn’t leave and steal the merchandise, and many of the windows were barred. As a result, 146 people, mostly young women, died in the fire.
The tragedy sparked a nationwide outcry over dangerous working conditions and sweatshop labor and helped spur reforms such as better fire safety regulations and laws mandating worker’s compensation.
# 3. The General Slocum Disaster of 1904
On June 15, 1904, the steamship General Slocum caught fire and sunk in the East River. It had just passed Blackwells Island (Now Roosevelt Island) when the fire broke out as the Slocum entered Hell Gate
The ship was carrying over 1,300 people, mostly women and children from the St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Little Germany. The ship burned to the waterline, killing more than 1,000 passengers and crew members.
The fire was probably caused by a cigar butt that was flicked into a basket of straw.
The disaster led to new regulations for passenger ships, such as the requirement that all ships carry enough lifeboats for everyone on board.
# 4. The 1958 New York City Air Crash
On December 16, 1958, two commercial airliners collided in mid-air over New York City. The planes, a Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 517 and United Airlines Flight 718, were each carrying over 80 people when they collided 12 miles northeast of Idlewild Airport (now JFK).
The crash killed all 128 passengers on board the two flights, as well as 6 people on the ground.
The crash was blamed on a combination of factors, including bad weather and the fact that the TWA pilot did not properly follow air traffic control instructions.
This disaster led to new regulations requiring planes to be equipped with radar and to have a minimum altitude for flying over built-up areas.
# 5. The Malbone Street Wreck
The Malbone Street Wreck, also known as the Brighton Beach Line Disaster, is one of the most devastating train crashes in history.
The crash occurred on November 1, 1918, in Brooklyn, when a crowded rush-hour train ran off the track near Brighton Beach and collided with a concrete wall at tremendous speed.
The crash resulted in the deaths of nearly 100 people and injured hundreds more. The precise cause of the accident remains unclear, though many believe that it was caused by human error.
Despite this tragic event, however, the Malbone Street Wreck ultimately helped to improve safety measures for underground trains throughout New York and beyond and is now remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of mass transit safety.
# 6. The Great New York City Blizzard of 1888
The Great New York City Blizzard of 1888 was a classic nor’easter that brought high winds, heavy snow, and record-low temperatures to the Northeast United States.
The storm began on March 11th and lasted for three days, dumping more than 20 inches of snow on New York City. The blizzard caused widespread damage, including the destruction of telegraph lines and railroads.
More than 400 people died as a result of the storm, making it one of the deadliest in American history. Some were stuck in stalled streetcars or unable to get safely home. It was also one of the most costly natural disasters of its time, with an estimated $20 million in damage.
The city was brought to a standstill, and residents were forced to hunker down and wait out the storm. For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime event that they would never forget.
# 7. The Great Blizzard of 1947
The Great Blizzard of 1947 was one of the most severe winters on record in the United States.
The blizzard began in the early morning hours of January 28 and lasted for four days. By the time it was over, more than 20 inches of snow had fallen in New York City and up to 60 inches had blanketed parts of New England.
The storm caused widespread power outages, shut down airports and schools, and left more than 100 people dead.
In the aftermath of the storm, New Yorkers came together to shovel snow, deliver food to stranded motorists and provide shelter for those who were stuck in their homes. The spirit of cooperation and compassion that was on display during the blizzard is one of the things that make New York such a special place.
# 8. Superstorm Sandi Floods New York City
Superstorm Sandi, a massive hurricane that made landfall in New York City in October 2011, caused catastrophic flooding throughout the city.
The storm surge from the hurricane flooded subway tunnels, knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses, and left many people stranded for days. The damage from Superstorm Sandi was estimated at over $19 billion, making it one of the most expensive natural disasters in US history.
# 9. The Great New York City Heat Wave of 1977
The Great New York City Heat Wave of 1977 was severe, hitting the city in early July. Temperatures soared to over 100 degrees for over nine straight days, and the high humidity made it feel even hotter.
The heat wave led to widespread power outages, as the city’s electrical grid was unable to handle the demand. Dozens of people died from the heat, and hundreds more were hospitalized.
# 10. The Brooklyn Theater Fire of 1876
The Brooklyn Theater Fire of 1876 was one of the deadliest fires in New York City history.
The fire began in the early morning hours of December 5, 1876, at the Brooklyn Theater on Washington Street. The theater was packed with spectators who had come to see a performance of the popular play The Two Orphans.
The fire quickly spread through the theater, and soon the entire building was engulfed in flames. The fire claimed the lives of at least 278 people, making it one of the deadliest disasters in New York City history.
The Brooklyn Theater Fire sparked a major push for improved fire safety regulations and led to the creation of the New York City Fire Department.
The tragedy also had a profound impact on the city of Brooklyn, which was left mourning the loss of so many of its residents. The Brooklyn Theater Fire remains one of the deadliest disasters in New York City history and serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance when it comes to fire safety.
Conclusion
The ten disasters mentioned above are only a fraction of the tragedies that have befallen New York City throughout its history. But each one of these events has had a profound impact on the city and its residents.
From the Great Blizzard of 1947 to Superstorm Sandy, these disasters have tested the city’s resilience time and again. And each time, New York has come back stronger than ever. These events also serve as a reminder of the need for preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
With climate change making extreme weather events more likely, it is more important than ever to be prepared for whatever fate pr Mother Nature might throw our way.
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