Hurricane Sandy

Superstorm Sandy

Key Facts

·         Affected 24 states

·         Damage in the US estimated at over $63 billion

·         Vulnerable Coastline due to:

o   Coast from Delaware to Rhode Island is densely populated

o   Large areas of expensive coastal property very close to sea level

o   Many recreational and tourist resorts with beach front infrastructure such as hotels and amusement parks

o   Numerous barrier islands which are unstable, prone to storm surges and wave erosion, and hard to evacuate during rescue phase

Timeline

October 22^nd- Sandy developed from a tropical wave in the western Caribbean sea

                           6 hours later upgraded to a Tropical Storm Sandy

October 24^th- Sandy became a hurricane, made landfall near Kingston, Jamaica and strengthened to a category 2 with winds of 130km/h

October 25^th- Sandy hit Cuba, then weakened to category 1 with winds of 175km/h

October 26^th- Sandy moved through the Bahamas

October 27^th- Sandy briefly weakened to a category 1 hurricane

October 29^th- Sandy curved north-northwest and then moved ashore near Atlantic City

                           Storm surge hit New York City                 

Preparations

·         Caribbean and Bermuda

o   October 22^nd issued a tropical storm watch

o   October 23^rd upgraded to a Tropical storm warning

o   Many residents stocked up on supplies and reinforced roofing material

o   People were urged to take care of their neighbours, especially the elderly, children and disabled

o   Schools, government buildings and the airport in Kingston shut down

o   Early curfews were put in place to protect residents, properties and to prevent crime

·         United States

o   East Coast attempted to head off long-term power failures by being prepared to repair storm damage and employees working longer hours

o   Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) monitored Sandy

o   Flight cancellations put in place

o   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

o   Florida- Closure and cancellations of activities in schools

o   Carolinas- Tropical storm watch was issued. National park service closed at least 5 sections

o   Washington, D.C- October 26^th declared state of emergency. Metro service, both rail and bus was cancelled on October 29ths due to expected high winds

o   Maryland- State of emergency announced October 26^th, Residents were evacuated with the assistance of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, 2 shelters were opened. Maryland Transit Administration cancelled all services for October 29^th and 30^th.

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