<P> 84 tropical or subtropical cyclones have affected the state of New York since the 17th century . The state of New York is located along the East Coast of the United States, in the Northeastern portion of the country . The strongest of these storms was the 1938 New England hurricane, which struck Long Island as a Category 3 storm on the Saffir--Simpson hurricane scale . Killing more than 600 people, it was also the deadliest . Tropical cyclones have affected the state primarily in September but have also hit during every month of the hurricane season, June through November . Tropical cyclones rarely make landfall on the state, although it is common for remnants of tropical cyclones to produce heavy rainfall and flooding . </P> <Ul> <Li> between 1278 and 1438--A major hurricane struck the modern - day New York / New Jersey area . </Li> <Li> August 25, 1635--A hurricane that is reported to have tracked parallel to the East Coast impacts New England and New York, although it remains unknown if any damage occurred . </Li> <Li> September 8, 1667--A' severe storm' is reported in Manhattan and is reported to be a continuation of a powerful hurricane which affected the Mid-Atlantic . </Li> <Li> October 29, 1693--The Great Storm of 1693 causes severe damage on Long Island, and is reported to create the Fire Island Cut as a result of the coast - changing storm surge and waves . </Li> <Li> September 23, 1785--Several large ships crash into Governors Island as a result of powerful waves which are reported to have been generated by a tropical cyclone . </Li> <Li> August 19, 1788--A hurricane strikes New York City or Long Island and is reported to have left the west side of the Battery "laid in ruins" after severe flooding occurs . </Li> </Ul>

What was the strongest hurricane to hit long island