The worst storm, a Category 5, has winds greater than 155 mph and can cause catastrophic damage.

CNN: 'Very active' hurricane season forecast

The worst losses were caused by a storm surge on Sandy's northern side, which extended along several hundred miles of coastline from New Jersey to Massachusetts.

WSJ: Sandy's Insurance Bill Estimated at $25 Billion for Industry

Nobody's worrying about another Great Depression like they were just a year ago, and the worst of the storm has passed.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Holds a Town Hall in New Hampshire

This was the worst storm to hit Brisbane in a quarter of a century, unleashing hail, torrential rain and strong winds.

BBC: Brisbane storm worst in 25 years

The worst damage in New York came from a 13-foot storm surge that filled Battery Park City and streets from the South Street Seaport throughout the Lower East Side.

FORBES: In Photos: Downtown New York City After Hurricane Sandy

Consider this: Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisiana and Mississippi area as a Category 3 storm, and the storm surge was 25 feet at worst.

CNN: Behind the Scenes: Fear and pride in New Orleans

And farmers and fishermen concede that the only way to get that much rain quickly -- from a tropical storm or hurricane -- would cause more damage than the worst dry spell ever in one the wettest places on Earth.

CNN: Severe drought threatens Louisiana coastal marshes

Sandy "was the worst storm ever to hit New York City and today, we are launching a new program to continue the road to recovery, " said Bloomberg.

WSJ: NYC mayor announces new effort on Sandy repairs