NEW YORK · NASSAU & SUFFOLK COUNTIES
Where the Atlantic Meets the Mainland: Long Island Wind Loads
The fish-shaped island east of New York City — pinned between Long Island Sound and the open Atlantic — carries higher design wind than the five boroughs. Nassau and Suffolk span 115–130 mph under ASCE 7-22.
GEOGRAPHY · TWO SHORELINES, ONE NARROW ISLAND
An Island Built for Wind on Three Sides
Long Island Sound to the north, the Atlantic surf to the south, Montauk Point thrust into open ocean to the east — barrier beaches like Fire Island and Jones Beach take the full fetch.
Onshore Atlantic flow hits the South Shore first — open water means open exposure, and the design wind climbs toward the high end of the range.
EXPOSURE · SOUTH SHORE D, SOUND C, INLAND B
One Address Can Sit in a Different Exposure Than the Next
Direct ocean frontage drives Exposure D; Sound waterfront and open terrain land at C; sheltered Nassau and central-Suffolk neighborhoods often qualify for B.
South Shore & Barrier Beaches
Fire Island, Jones Beach, Montauk and the Hamptons oceanfront face unobstructed Atlantic fetch — 125–130 mph, Exposure C with D on the surf line.
125–130 MPH · C/DNorth Shore & Long Island Sound
The North Fork, Shelter Island and Sound waterfront see moderated fetch off the Sound — 120–125 mph, Exposure C at the shore, B just inland.
120–125 MPH · C/BInland Nassau & Central Suffolk
Garden City, Hicksville, Smithtown and the developed core sit behind miles of buildings — 115–120 mph, Exposure B typically governs.
115–120 MPH · BWhy higher than the five boroughs: Manhattan and the inland boroughs sit in sheltered Exposure B terrain, while Long Island's South Shore meets the Atlantic head-on. Same ASCE 7-22 maps, very different exposure — and 2012's Superstorm Sandy proved it, gutting Fire Island and flooding South Shore communities.
STORM RECORD · WHY THE NUMBERS ARE WHAT THEY ARE
A Coastline With a Long Memory of Landfalls
Hurricanes and nor'easters have both reshaped Long Island construction standards — the design wind speeds encode that history.
Superstorm Sandy
2012 — catastrophic surge and 90+ mph gusts; rewrote South Shore flood-and-wind construction.
2012Hurricane Gloria
1985 — direct Cat 2 landfall on western Long Island, 85–100 mph sustained across both counties.
1985The 1938 Hurricane
The benchmark "Long Island Express" — Cat 3 landfall, 120+ mph, devastating the South Shore and Hamptons.
1938Nor'easters
Extratropical systems like the 1962 Ash Wednesday storm rival hurricanes — sustained winter wind on open water.
RECURRINGASCE 7-22 · RISK CATEGORY & WIND SPEED
Higher Stakes Read From a Higher Wind-Speed Map
Risk Category does not multiply the speed — it selects a longer-return-period map. On Long Island that walks the velocity up across the same shoreline.
| Risk Category | Long Island Design Speed | Typical Structures |
|---|---|---|
| I | ~110–125 mph | Agricultural, minor storage, temporary structures |
| II | 115–130 mph | Homes, Hamptons beach houses, hotels, most occupancies |
| III | ~130–145 mph | Schools, assembly >300, substantial-hazard facilities |
| IV | ~140–155 mph | Hospitals, fire stations, emergency shelters |
PERMIT PATH · NASSAU & SUFFOLK COMPLIANCE
What a Sealed Long Island Submission Has to Show
Every permit calculation is prepared by a New York-licensed PE, with the South Shore's exposure and storm history baked in.
PE-Ready Calculation Package
Generate a full ASCE 7-22 report — MWFRS, C&C, exposure justification — sealed for Nassau or Suffolk submission.
RUN THE CALCULATORLocation-Specific Speed
The exact 115–130 mph value from the ASCE 7-22 maps, tied to the project's South Shore, Sound, or inland address.
115–130 MPHExposure Determination
D on the surf line, C along the Sound, B in the developed interior — documented per ASCE 7-22 §26.7.
B · C · DPost-Sandy Coastal Standards
Elevated, flood-and-wind-resistant detailing for barrier-beach and oceanfront properties where Sandy hit hardest.
COASTALNY State PE Seal
Calculations prepared or supervised by a Professional Engineer licensed in New York State, per code.
LICENSED PEOFFICIAL · NASSAU · SUFFOLK · NEW YORK STATE
Verify Locally Adopted Requirements at the Source
Confirm current code editions and amendments with the authorities having jurisdiction.
Nassau County Engineering
Division of Engineering, Department of Public Works.
NASSAUSuffolk County Planning
Office of Planning & Environment, Economic Development.
SUFFOLKNY State Building Code
Adopts the IBC with NY amendments; references ASCE 7-22.
DOS · NYNY State PE Licensing
Office of the Professions, Engineering & Land Surveying.
NYSEDEXPLORE · NEW YORK STATE & NEARBY CITIES
Compare Long Island With the Rest of New York
From the coastal South Shore to the Great Lakes snow belt, design wind shifts across the state.
START · WINDLOADCALC.COM
Calculate Your Long Island Wind Loads in Minutes
Enter any Nassau or Suffolk address and get the right 115–130 mph speed, exposure guidance, and a PE-ready ASCE 7-22 report for permit submission.