Painting Details

Sandy the Superstrom

Sandy leaves 7.5 million without power in U.S., at least 16 dead, flooding in New York City and New Jersey

Sandy will end up causing about $20 billion in property damage and $10 billion to $30 billion more in lost business, making it one of the costliest natural disasters on record in the U.S., according to IHS Global Insight, a forecasting firm. Airlines canceled more than 15,000 flights. New York City’s three major airports remained closed. Most major tunnels and bridges in New York were closed, as were schools and Broadway theaters. In New Jersey, where the super storm came ashore, Sandy cut off barrier islands, swept houses from their foundations and washed amusement pier rides into the ocean. It also wrecked several boardwalks up and down the coast, tearing away a section of Atlantic City’s world-famous promenade. Atlantic City’s 12 waterfront casinos came through largely unscathed. Curiosity turned to concern overnight as New York City residents watched whole neighborhoods disappear into darkness as power was cut. The World Trade Center site was a glowing ghost near the tip of Lower Manhattan. Residents reported seeing no lights but the strobes of emergency vehicles and the glimpses of flashlights in nearby apartments. Lobbies were flooded, cars floated and people started to worry about food.

Why Sandy is Expected to be a Superstorm:

1. It is a Northbound Hurricane :Hurricane Sandy is moving slowly toward the north-northeast but is expected to turn to the north and west later Sunday and Monday, forecasters say. At some point, it's expected to become what's known as an extra tropical storm. Unlike a tropical system like a hurricane, which gets its power from warm ocean waters, extra tropical systems are driven by temperature contrasts in the atmosphere. Although Sandy is currently a hurricane, it's important not to focus too much on its official category or its precise path. It's a massive system that will affect a huge swath of the eastern U.S., regardless of exactly where it hits or its precise wind speed. For example, tropical storm-force winds can be felt more than 500 miles from the storm's center,
2. Early Winter Storm :Sandy is expected to merge with a wintry system from the west, at which point it will become the powerful superstorm that has forecasters and officials across the eastern U.S. Winds from that system will pull Sandy back toward the U.S. mainland.
3. Arctic Air from the North :Frigid air coming south from Canada also is expected to collide with Sandy and the wintry storm from the west, creating a mega storm that is expected to park over the northeast for days. The brunt of the storm could hit areas farther inland. Officials are bracing for the worst: nearly a foot of rain, high winds and up to 2 feet of snow.
4. High Tides could Worsen Flooding: Further complicating matters is the possibility for dangerous storm surges: A full moon means the tides will be higher than usual, which will make it easier for the storm's powerful winds to push water into low-lying areas. That, coupled with the threat of several inches of rain, has officials working to shore up flood defenses. Storm surge could reach anywhere from 2 to 11 feet along the northeastern coast, Inland river flooding also is a serious concern.
5. Combo of Snow, Wind Increase Risk for Widespread Power Outages: Storms in recent years have left hundreds of thousands of people in the eastern U.S. without power, sometimes for days at a time. Utilities have been bringing in extra crews and lining up tree trimmers so they're prepared, and with good reason. The super storm brings two possibilities for knocking out electricity. For one, hurricane-force winds of at 74 mph could send tree branches into power lines, or even topple entire trees and power poles. Those left standing could succumb to snow, which could weigh down still-leafy branches enough to also topple trees. Head for the hills! Tens of thousands told to find higher ground as 100mph winds set to batter East Coast in biggest storm EVER to hit United States The full moon means high tide in coastal areas due to the gravitational pull of the moon and its effect on the water. Add a storm surge of up to eleven feet and waves which could reach 20 feet on top of that, and you have a recipe for extensive massive flooding not only in coastal areas, but along lake and river banks as well. This is not including up to twelve inches of rain forecast in local areas what could further add to the misery, and the rain could continue for several days. Those who are in low-lying areas near water should consider evacuating, even if it is not mandatory.