Waves fueled by Sandy's winds crash into Chicago's lakefront.

Associated Press

As a weather historian, author and blogger, Christopher C. Burt says the most deadly arrow in Mother Nature's quiver is difficult to decipher, but hurricanes and tornadoes rank high. In his book, Burt recaps everything from tornadoes and hurricanes to ball lightning and dust storms.

Courtesy of Christopher C. Burt

Part of the fishing pier in Ocean City, Md., is ripped away during Hurricane Sandy's assault on the East Coast.

Associated Press/Alex Brandon

Lower Manhattan went dark on Monday after Hurricane Sandy forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets and left millions without electricity.

Associated Press/Bebeto Matthews

In this photo provided by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a surveillance camera captures the PATH station in Hoboken, N.J., as it is flooded Monday night during the advance of Hurricane Sandy.

Associated Press