Hurricane Sandy 2012

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  • Hurricane Sandy 2012
    • Nature and characteristics
      • Second most expensive and, at 1800km in diameter, the largest hurricane in US history
      • Originated in the Caribbean Sea on 22 October 2012
        • Made landfall in Jamaica 2 days later
          • Lost energy after landfall and was temporarily downgraded to a tropical storm as it started to track to the northeast
            • By 28 October it had re-intensified to a category 2 hurricane
              • Hit the eastern seaboard of the USA early hours of the 29th of October with winds of 185km/h.
      • Unusual characteristics
        • Firstly- moved northwards, where storm grew, reaching 1700km in diameter
          • Resulted in larger area being affected by winds
        • Secondly- a blocking high in the jet stream forced the hurricane to make a sharp turn to the west
          • Resulted in collision with the New Jersey coast
            • Collision occurred at the same time as high tide and the moon was full
              • Resulted in a higher than normal spring tide
                • Resulting in a storm surge which was an additional 3m higher than normal
    • Impacts
      • 233 fatalities (158 in USA)
        • 71 direct
        • 87 indirect
        • 49 deaths occurred in New York
      • The caribbean and 24 US states were effected
      • 2 million in the state left without power
        • Flooding
        • Trees having fallen on power lines
      • Subway tunnels flooded due to East River overflowing and storm surge
      • 10 billion tonnes of sewage released
      • Airports, roads and schools closed for several days
        • Including Florida and North Carolina
      • Total cost of damage US $65 billion
    • Responses
      • Disney and ABC held a 'Day of Giving' and raised US $17 for American Red Cross
        • Featuring artists such as Bon Jovi and Kanye West
      • US government passed a relief bill for US $48 billion for states affected
        • However, over 18 months after the event, 30,000 residents of New York and New Jersey remained displaced and unable to return to homes
          • Most of the funding had also not been spent
      • Suggested plans to protect coastal areas from future flooding

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