How do you decode this $=[-÷ # /&!/​

Is there a key of some sort?

Explanation:

Have a Great Day! I will help if I can :)

The correct answer is "earthquake".

If all the people in New York City were to disappear, the force of nature responsible for causing the buildings to collapse would be an "earthquake."

Earthquake intensity can destroy cities and of course, cause buildings to collapse. The force of mother nature when an earthquake strikes a city varies according to its intensity. The scale varies, but when the earthquake passes the 6th grade in the Richter scale, it has the strength to cause so much damage. When the earthquake passes the 7th grade, it can cause buildings to collapse and create so much damage, as we see in the cases of earthquakes in Chile, and Mexico City.

New York City is also exposed to floodings, that could cause so much damage.