When scientists learn that a strong storm is approaching New York City, they start issuing warnings all throughout the city. They think that an extraordinary occurrence is about to happen and that there is a problem with the natural barometric patterns. Their predictions are confirmed by a sudden solar eclipse, which suggests that the end of the world is imminent. Days of constant earthquakes are described in telegrams from London and Rome that conclude, "The End of the World is at Hand." Millions of people were killed by massive earthquakes that struck the US west coast, and it is said that the entire region has been decimated. Disaster is only a few minutes away, and the earthquakes have also triggered significant tsunamis in the world's oceans. In anticipation of the impending catastrophe, Martin Webster and his spouse Helen gather their kids, Ronny and Mary Ann, along with a few necessities, and make their way to a high rock formation to avoid the floods. While Martin is traveling, the devastation of New York starts. Martin leaves Helen and returns to their home to obtain additional food and clothing. Large tsunamis hit the city, and tremors cause buildings to collapse. When Martin comes back, his wife and daughters are not there. After the catastrophe, stranded on a recently created island close to the location of New York City, the distraught Martin constructs a hut and tries to live alone, concealing supplies in a tunnel because he thinks Helen and the kids perished in the catastrophe.