When I was a kid on Long Island, Hurricane Gloria. Although it may seem worse in hindsight, that's the only time I can remember actually having to prepare for a storm -- the power went off and we ended up sleeping in the kitchen.
We've had some nasty nor'easters in the area, but it's snow that causes more trouble than wind and rain.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?"