Hurricane Sandy is a massive, late-season tropical cyclone that has affected Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas,
Haiti, the Dominican Republic,
and the United States,
and is currently affecting the Mid-Atlantic
and Northeast
coasts of the United States, and Eastern Canada. The 18th tropical cyclone,
18th named storm, and 10th hurricane of the 2012
Atlantic hurricane season, Sandy developed from an elongated tropical wave in the western Caribbean Sea on October 22. It became a tropical
depression, quickly strengthened, and was upgraded to a tropical storm six
hours later. Sandy moved slowly northward toward the Greater Antilles and gradually strengthened.
On October 24, Sandy was upgraded to a hurricane,
shortly before making landfall in Jamaica. Upon moving farther north, Sandy
re-entered water and made its second landfall in Cuba during the early morning
of October 25 as a Category 2 hurricane. During the late evening of October 25,
Sandy weakened to Category 1 strength; in the early hours of October 26, it
headed north through the Bahamas.[1] Sandy briefly weakened to a
tropical storm in the early morning hours of October 27, then restrengthened to
a Category 1
hurricane later that morning.
Just before 8 a.m. on October 29, Sandy turned to the
north-northwest and started to make its expected approach towards the U.S.
coast, still maintaining Category 1 strength. Although the National Hurricane
Center has not officially confirmed the location, at 5:46 PM local time,
Accuweather announced it had come ashore in between Avalon
and Sea Isle
City[2] in Cape May County, New Jersey. NOAA announced officially that the storm had come ashore at
approximately 8:00 p.m. EDT 5 miles southwest of Atlantic City, NJ.[3] On October 29, 2012, at 7:00
p.m. EDT, Sandy was declared a post-tropical
cyclone.[4]
Sandy's impact on the United States stretched from Virginia to New England with tropical storm force
winds stretching far inland and significant mountain snows in West Virginia. The cyclone brought a
record-breaking storm surge to New York City on the evening of October
29, with numerous streets and tunnels flooded in Lower Manhattan and other areas of the
city.[5]
Storm path
A tropical wave
was moving westward through the eastern Caribbean Sea on October 19, 2012.[6] It had an extended low pressure area, and conditions were
expected to gradually become more favorable for development.[7] On October 20, the system became
better organized, and the U.S. National
Hurricane Center (NHC) assessed a high potential for it to become a
tropical cyclone within 48 hours.[8] By the next day, the associated convection,
or thunderstorms, had become minimal, although barometric
pressure in the area remained low, which favored development.[9] The thunderstorms gradually
increased, while the system slowed and became nearly stationary over the
western Caribbean.[10][11] At 1500 UTC
on October 22, the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Eighteen
about 320 mi (515 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica. This was based on
surface observations and satellite imagery, which indicated the system had
developed enough organized convection to be classified.[12]
Satellite image of Hurricane Sandy near Jamaica
landfall
When the tropical depression formed, it was in an
area of weak steering currents south of a ridge
extending eastward from the Gulf of Mexico. Low wind shear and warm sea surface
temperatures were conducive to strengthening[12] and rapid deepening. Late on October 22, a Hurricane Hunters flight observed winds of
40 mph (64 km/h) in a rainband, which
prompted NHC to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Sandy.[13] Outflow
increased, while moist atmosphere helped the convection organize further. NHC
noted that "remaining nearly stationary over the warm waters of
southwestern Caribbean Sea is never a good sign for this time of year."[14] Still, the cloud pattern
initially remained largely the same.[15] Early on October 24, an eye began developing. By that time, Sandy
was moving steadily northward, drawn by a trough
approaching from the northwest.[16] At 11:00 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on
October 24, the NHC upgraded Sandy to hurricane status after the Hurricane
Hunters observed flight-level winds of 99 mph (159 km/h). At the time, Sandy
was about 65 mi (105 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica.[17]
At about 3:00 p.m. EDT (1900 UTC) on October 24,
Sandy made landfall
near Kingston with winds of about 80 mph (130 km/h).[18] Just offshore Cuba, Sandy
rapidly intensified into a Category 2
hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson
scale with 110 mph (175 km/h) winds.[19] Shortly thereafter at 1:25 a.m.
EDT (0525 UTC), the hurricane struck Cuba just west of Santiago de Cuba.[20] At landfall, Sandy had a
well-defined eye of over 23 mi (37 km) in diameter, and flight-level winds
reached 135 mph (216 km/h).[21] While over land, the structure
deteriorated and the eye was no longer visible.[22] After Sandy exited Cuba, dry
air and increasing shear restricted the outflow and caused the structure to
become disorganized.[23] A mid-level low over Florida
turned the hurricane toward the north-northwest.[24] By early on October 26, most of
the convection was sheared to the north of the center, and the size of the
storm increased greatly.[25] By the next day, the NHC
remarked that Sandy was "showing characteristics of a hybrid cyclone...
like an occluded frontal
low." However, the system maintained a warm thermal core, and despite
strong 60 mph (95 km/h) wind shear, the hurricane continued to develop
thunderstorms due to good divergence from a
nearby trough; the same trough turned Sandy toward the northeast.[26] On October 27, Sandy briefly
weakened to a tropical storm, after dry air became fully ingested into the mid-
and upper-level circulations.[27] Later that day, however, wind
reports from the Hurricane Hunters indicated that Sandy re-intensified into a
hurricane.[28]
Current storm information
As of 11 p.m. EDT
October 29 (0300 UTC
October 30), Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy is located within 20 nautical miles of
39°48′N 75°24′W39.8°N 75.4°W, about 10 mi (15 km) southwest of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Maximum sustained winds are 65 knots (75 mph, 120
km/h), with stronger gusts. Minimum central pressure is 952 mbar (hPa;
28.11 inHg), and the system is moving northwest at 16 kt (18 mph, 30 km/h).
For latest official information see:
Hurricane
force wind warnings are in effect for all coastal areas from Ocean City,
Maryland to Cape Cod,
Massachusetts. This includes the tidal Potomac River from Cobb Island to Smith Point, the middle and upper Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, New York Harbor, Long Island Sound and surround bays, Nantucket Sound, and Cape Cod Bay. This also includes the
coasts of New Jersey, the New York City area, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.[29]
High wind warnings
are in effect for parts of the New England states, Mid-Atlanic states,
North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.[30]
Blizzard warnings are in effect for the
mountains in West Virginia,
Virginia, and Maryland.[31]
Forecasted impacts:
Gale force winds are expected along portions of
Mid-Atlantic coast October 28, and are forecast to reach Long Island and southern New England by early October 29.
Hurricane-force winds, at least in gusts, are likely over the warning areas and
sections of the Mid-Atlantic region north of the warning areas by late October
29.
A storm surge
is possible along the track, with the largest wave heights of between 6 to 11
feet (1.8 to 3.4 m) from Long Island Sound to Raritan Bay to New York Harbor.
Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches (100 to 200 mm) are
expected over the Mid-Atlantic states, including the Delmarva peninsula with isolated maximum
amounts of 12 inches (300 mm) possible. Amounts of 1 to 3 inches (25 to 76 mm)
with isolated maximum amounts of 5 inches (130 mm) are possible from the southern tier of New York through New
England.
Snow accumulations are expected in mountainous areas
of the Mid-Atlantic, with the highest totals of between 12 to 18 inches (300 to
460 mm) possible in mountains near the North Carolina/Tennessee border and in the mountains of
western Maryland.
Researchers from Johns
Hopkins University, using a computer model built on power outage
data from previous hurricanes, conservatively forecast that 10 million
customers along the Eastern
Seaboard will lose power from Sandy.[32]
Preparation
Caribbean
After the storm became a tropical cyclone on October
22, the Government of
Jamaica issued a tropical storm watch for the entire island.[33] Early on October 23, the watch
was replaced with a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch was issued.[34] At 3 p.m. UTC, the hurricane
watch was upgraded to a hurricane warning, while the tropical storm warning was
discontinued.[35]
Shortly after Jamaica issued its first watch on October
22, the Government of
Haiti issued a tropical storm watch for Haiti.[36] By late October 23, it was
modified to a tropical storm warning.[37] The Government of Cuba
posted a hurricane watch for the Cuban Provinces of Camagüey,
Granma, Guantánamo,
Holguín,
Las Tunas,
and Santiago
de Cuba at 1500 UTC on October 23.[35] Only three hours later, the
hurricane watch was switched to a hurricane warning.[38]
The Bahamas
The Government
of the Bahamas, at 1500 UTC on October 23, issued a tropical storm
watch for several Bahamian islands, including the Acklins, Cat Island,
Crooked Island,
Exuma, Inagua, Long Cay, Long Island,
Mayaguana, Ragged Island,
Rum Cay, and San Salvador
Island.[35] Later that day, another
tropical storm watch was issued for Abaco Islands, Andros Island, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, and New Providence.[38] By early on October 24, the
tropical storm watch for Cat Island, Exuma, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San
Salvador was upgraded to a tropical storm warning.[39]
Bermuda
At 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 UTC) on October 26, the
Bermuda Weather Service issued a tropical storm watch for Bermuda, reflecting
the enormous size of the storm and the wide-reaching impacts.[40]
United States
Much of the East Coast
of the United States in the Mid-Atlantic and New England states have
a good chance of receiving gale-force winds,
flooding, heavy rain and possibly snow early in the week of October 28 from an
unusual hybrid of Hurricane Sandy and a winter storm.[41] Government weather forecasters
said there is a 90% chance (the chance having increased from 60% on October
24), that the East Coast will be impacted by the storm. Some media outlets
began referring to the expected combination of the tropical system and storm
front under the nickname "Frankenstorm."[42] As coverage continued, many
outlets began eschewing this term in favor of "superstorm",[43] with CNN in particular declaring an embargo on the use of the term
"Frankenstorm" in its reporting, citing sensitivity concerns.[44] Utilities and governments along
the East Coast are attempting to head off long-term power failures as a result
of Sandy. Power companies from the Southeast to New England are alerting independent contractors
to be ready to assist to fix storm damaged equipment quickly and are asking
employees to cancel vacations and work longer hours. In New Jersey, where the storm is expected to
come ashore, Jersey
Central Power & Light has told employees to be prepared for
extended shifts.[45]
Through regional offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston, FEMA will continuously monitor Sandy and will remain in close
coordination with state and tribal emergency management partners in Florida and
the potentially affected Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and New England states.[46] President Obama signed
emergency declarations on October 28 for several states expected to be impacted
by Sandy, allowing them to request federal aid and make additional preparations
in advance of the storm.[47]
Flight cancellations and alerts for travel on the
U.S. East Coast are in place and more may be added should the storm stay on its
predicted path towards the Mid-Atlantic and the New England areas.[49] Over 5,000 commercial airline
flights scheduled for October 28 and October 29 were cancelled by the afternoon
of the 28th.[50]
The National Guard
and U.S. Air Force put as many as 45,000
personnel in at least seven states on alert for possible duty in response to
the preparations and aftermath of Sandy.[51]
More than two-thirds of the East Coast's petroleum
refining capacity was shut down on October 29 due to the oncoming storm.[52]
Southeast
Florida
Numerous schools on the Treasure Coast and in Palm Beach
County, Florida announced closures for October 26, in anticipation
of Sandy.[53]
North Carolina
On October 26, North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue declared a state of
emergency for 38 counties in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, taking effect
October 27.[54]
Mid-Atlantic
Virginia
The U.S. Navy sent more than twenty seven ships and
forces to sea from Norfolk Naval Base,
for their protection.[55] Governor Bob McDonnell authorized the Virginia National
Guard to activate 300 personnel ahead of the storm. Republican
Party presidential candidate Mitt Romney cancelled campaign appearances
scheduled for October 28 in Virginia
Beach, Virginia and New Hampshire October 30 because of Sandy.
Vice President Joe Biden cancelled
his appearance on October 27 in Virginia Beach and an October 29 campaign event
in New Hampshire.[56] President Barack Obama canceled a campaign stop with
former President Bill Clinton
in Virginia scheduled for October 29, as well as a trip to Colorado
Springs, Colorado, the next day because of the impending storm, and
said he will remain in Washington D.C.[57]
Tomb Sentinel, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old
Guard), keeps guard over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Hurricane Sandy
at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Oct. 29, 2012.
On October 26, Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray declared a state of
emergency.[58] That same day the governors of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia also declared a state of
emergency in preparation of the approaching storm.[55] The United States Office of Personnel Management announced federal
offices in the Washington, D.C. area would be closed to the public on October
29 and 30.[59] In addition, Washington DC Metro service, both rail and bus, was canceled on October 29
due to expected high winds, the likelihood of widespread power outages, and the
closing of the federal government.[60] President Obama declared a
state of emergency for the District of
Columbia.[61] The Smithsonian
Institution closed for the day of October 29.[62]
Maryland
On October 27, Smith Island
residents were evacuated with the assistance of the Maryland Natural Resources
Police, Dorchester
County opened two shelters for those in flood prone areas, and Ocean City
initiated Phase I of their Emergency Operations Plan.[63][64][65] Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.
is putting workers on standby and making plans to bring in crews from other
states.[45] On October 28, President Obama
declared an emergency in Maryland and signed an order authorizing the Federal
Emergency Management Agency to aid in disaster relief efforts.[66] Also, numerous areas were
ordered to be evacuated including part of Ocean City,
Worcester
County, Wicomico
County, and Somerset
County.[67][68] As of October 27, 2012, there
are serious possibilities that more than a hundred million tons of dirty
sediment mixed with tree limbs and debris floating behind Conowingo Dam may be eventually poured
into the Chesapeake Bay,
posing a potential environmental threat.[69] The Maryland Transportation Authority canceled all service for
October 29 and possibly October 30. The cancellations apply to buses, light
rail, Amtrak and MARC train service.[70] On October 29, six shelters
opened in Baltimore and early voting was cancelled
for the day.[62] Maryland Insurance Commissioner
Therese M. Goldsmith activated an emergency regulation requiring pharmacies to
refill prescriptions regardless of their last refill date.[71] On October 29, the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge was closed midday. I-95 over the Susquehanna River will be closed as well.[72]
Delaware
On October 28, Governor Jack Markell declared a state of
emergency, with coastal areas of Sussex County
evacuated. Delaware Route 1
through Delaware
Seashore State Park was closed due to flooding.[73] Delaware roads will be closed
to the public after 5:00 a.m., except for emergency and essential personnel.[74] Tolls on I-95 and Delaware Route 1 in the state have been waived.[75]
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