Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Sandy by the numbers: trying to comprehend a stunning disaster
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 7:19 PM GMT on November 01, 2012 +63
The immensity of the impact of Superstorm Sandy on the Eastern U.S. is difficult to comprehend, and the scenes of devastation coming from the impact zone are stunning and heart-wrenching. To help understand the extraordinary scale of this historic storm, I've put together a list of notable statistics from Sandy:

Death toll: 160 (88 in the U.S., 54 in Haiti, 11 in Cuba)

Damage estimates: $10 - $55 billion

Power outages: 8.5 million U.S. customers, 2nd most for a natural disaster behind the 1993 blizzard (10 million)

Maximum U.S. sustained winds: 69 mph at Westerly, RI

Peak U.S. wind gusts: 90 mph at Islip, NY and Tompkinsville, NJ

Maximum U.S. storm surge: 9.45', Bergen Point, NJ 9:24 pm EDT October 29, 2012

Maximum U.S. Storm Tide: 14.60', Bergen Point, NJ, 9:24 pm EDT October 29, 2012

Maximum significant wave height: 33.1' at the buoy east of Cape Hatteras, NC (2nd highest: 32.5' at the Entrance to New York Harbor)

Maximum U.S. rainfall: 12.55", Easton, MD

Maximum snowfall: 36", Richwood, WV

Minimum pressure: 945.5 mb, Atlantic City, NJ at 7:24 pm EST, October 29, 2012. This is the lowest pressure measured in the U.S., at any location north of Cape Hatteras, NC (previous record: 946 mb in the 1938 hurricane on Long Island, NY)

Destructive potential of storm surge: 5.8 on a scale of 0 to 6, highest of any hurricane observed since 1969. Previous record: 5.6 on a scale of 0 to 6, set during Hurricane Isabel of 2003.

Diameter of tropical storm-force winds at landfall: 945 miles

Diameter of ocean with 12' seas at landfall: 1500 miles


Figure 1. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite acquired this image of Superstorm Sandy around 3:35 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (7:35 Universal Time) on October 30. This image is from the “day-night band” on VIIRS, which detects light wavelengths from green to near-infrared. The full Moon lit up the tops of the clouds. Image credit: NASA.



Figure 2. Preliminary death and damage statistics for Sandy as compiled by Wikipedia on November 1, 2012.



Figure 3. Precipitation from Superstorm Sandy for the 7-day period ending at 8 am EDT Thursday, November 1, 2012. Image credit: NOAA/NWS/AHPS.



Figure 4. Top five weather-related power outages in the U.S.



Figure 5. Strong winds from Sandy blow snow in West Virginia on October 30, 2012. Image credit: Beau Dodson


Sandy's snows
Several cities set records for snowiest October day on record during Sandy: Elkin, WV (7", previous record, 4.6" in 1917) and Bluefield (4.7", previous record 3.2" in 1993.) Heavy snows caused roof collapses in West Virginia, and snows of two feet or more fell in four states--West Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, and Virginia. However, Sandy fell short of setting the all-time record for snowfall from a hurricane. The Vermont Journal estimated that the Snow Hurricane of 1804 dumped up to 4 feet of snow in Vermont.

36" Richwood, WV
34" Mount Leconte, TN
34" Sevier, TN
33" Clayton, WV
32" Snowshoe, WV
29" Quinwood, WV
28" Frostburg, WV
28" Davis, WV
28" Huttonsville, WV
28" Flat Top, WV
26" Redhouse, MD
26" Garret, MD
26" Craigsville, WV
24" Oakland, MD
24" Alpine Lake, WV
24" Nettie, WV
24" Norton, VA
24" Quinwood, WV
24" Alexander, WV

Links
Impressive loop of 1-minute visible satellite imagery spanning 6 days of Sandy's life.

A one-day time lapse video from a New York City webcam showing Sandy's impact on the city. It's eerie to see the city suddenly plunged into darkness.

First round of damage assessment aerial imagery collected by NOAA's National Geodetic Survey on Oct. 31 along the New Jersey coast.


Figure 6. Flooding in Haiti from Hurricane Sandy. Image credit: The Lambi Fund of Haiti.

Charities mobilize for Sandy
The outpouring of charitable donations in the wake of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy has been one of the bright spots in the gloomy aftermath of the storm. The main owners of The Weather Channel have agreed to match donations of up to $1 million to the American Red Cross, if you text SANDY to 90999 ($10). I also recommend my favorite disaster relief charity, Portlight.org. They are focusing their response efforts exclusively on the post-Sandy neeeds of people with disabilities.Check out the Portlight blog to see what they're up to; donations are always needed.

Sandy's greatest devastation occurred in Haiti, where rains of up to 20 inches in 24 hours unleashed rampaging flood waters that killed at least 54, left 200,000 homeless, wiped out thousand of acres of crops, and killed massive numbers of livestock. For impoverished families in Haiti still struggling to recover from the earthquake in 2010 and Hurricane Isaac in August, Sandy was devastating.  These crops are the very essence of rural Haitian’s livelihoods, and there are fears widespread starvation will result. A disaster relief charity in Haiti that I've contributed to for many years, The Lambi Fund of Haiti, is seeking donations to help farmers purchase local seeds so that they can replant their crops in the wake of this latest terrible Haitian catastrophe.

Jeff Masters
Hurricane Sandy - Davis, W.V. (beaudodson)
Hurricane Sandy, Davis, W.V. - photos taken by Beau Dodson
Hurricane Sandy - Davis, W.V.
We Survived (teach50)
Everyone has seen photos of the damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy that destroyed New Jersey, NYC, & Long Island as well as other areas on the East Coast. I am finally back on line after 4 days without power. It has been a long ordeal. My block was extremely fortunate. We didn't have any trees fall and no flooding but the entire area is devastated. This is a photo of a tree that fell between the street, smashed, the car, and blew out the tires. No one was hurt.
We Survived
Categories: Hurricane
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251. Grothar 2:35 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Member Since: July 17, 2009 Posts: 57 Comments: 19555
252. aislinnpaps 2:38 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting sar2401:

Indeed, I'm not picking on the Northeast. It seems like after every crisis or disaster, when gas lines are completely predictable, emergency management agencies develop amnesia about something like this ever happening before. They will roll out a plan just when everyone has already filled up and supplies start returning to normal. Drivers who waited in lines this week because of a lack of planning will wait in line next week because of too much planning. I keep hoping, after nearly 35 years of being part of law enforcement and emergency planning, that some agencies may get ahead of the power curve. So far, I'm turning blue from holding my breath. :)


I'm sorry, I understood. I was agreeing with you, didn't say it well. They do these things after the fact no matter what the experiences they've already had most of the time.
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253. waterskiman 2:39 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting Grothar:


I don't know if you are familiar with the area, but Staten Island is pretty hilly, but if I remember, most of the east coast of the island would have probably been a Zone A area. Most should have evacuated, but the devastation was far inland. Staten Island is quite large. I don't think they are getting the help they need fast enough.

As of this afternoon, everyone from FEMA to you name it is there. Why they didn't get there faster was because the ferries or rescue boats couldn't run until the coast guard gave the all clear for boat traffic to resume normal opperation. Buoys were washed away, channel markers, and lots of debrie. They would of had to mark chanels and such with temp nav buoys so you wouldn't run aground.

Just going to add a bit. It takes at least 3 to 4 days no matter if you are on an island or not for authorities to 1. get over the shock. 2. get on the phone to get things started. Thats why we need at least 4 days of food and beer before the help arrives in most cases.
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254. Civicane49 2:40 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM ROSA ADVISORY NUMBER 12
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP172012
800 PM PDT THU NOV 01 2012

...ROSA STATIONARY...


SUMMARY OF 800 PM PDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...13.7N 118.4W
ABOUT 845 MI...1360 KM SW OF CABO SAN LUCAS MEXICO
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...STATIONARY
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB...29.62 INCHES
Member Since: July 21, 2011 Posts: 62 Comments: 3941
255. Civicane49 2:40 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
TROPICAL STORM ROSA DISCUSSION NUMBER 12
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP172012
800 PM PDT THU NOV 01 2012

THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE CHANGE WITH ROSA OVER THE PAST FEW HOURS.
MICROWAVE AND LAST-LIGHT VISIBLE IMAGES SHOWED THAT THE LOW-LEVEL
CENTER IS STILL LOCATED ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE CONVECTION DUE
TO MODERATE WESTERLY SHEAR. THE INITIAL INTENSITY REMAINS 45 KT
BASED ON THE LATEST DVORAK ESTIMATES FROM TAFB AND SAB. THERE IS NO
CHANGE TO THE NHC INTENSITY FORECAST...AS ROSA SHOULD GRADUALLY
WEAKEN THROUGH THE PERIOD WHILE THE SHEAR INCREASES DUE TO AN
UPPER-LEVEL TROUGH. THE CYCLONE SHOULD BECOME A REMNANT LOW IN
ABOUT 3 DAYS.

THE CURRENT MOTION APPEARS TO BE STATIONARY...AND LITTLE NET MOTION
IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS AS ROSA IS SITUATED EAST OF A
WEAKENING MID-LEVEL RIDGE AND SOUTH OF A FLAT MID-LEVEL TROUGH.
AFTER THAT TIME...THE MODEL GUIDANCE IS IN GENERAL AGREEMENT ON A
NORTHWESTWARD MOTION DEVELOPING AS A MID-LEVEL LOW FORMS WEST OF
BAJA CALIFORNIA AND RETROGRADES TO THE NORTH OF ROSA. WHILE THERE IS
STILL SOME LATERAL SPREAD IN THE GUIDANCE ENVELOPE...THE SPREAD HAS
DECREASED A BIT OVER THE PAST FEW CYCLES. SINCE THE PREVIOUS
OFFICIAL FORECAST LIES NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE GUIDANCE ENVELOPE...
LITTLE CHANGE WAS MADE TO THE NHC TRACK. THE NHC FORECAST IS CLOSE
TO THE GEFS ENSEMBLE MEAN AND A BLEND OF THE ECMWF AND GFS MODELS
AT DAYS 3 THROUGH 5.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 02/0300Z 13.7N 118.4W 45 KT 50 MPH
12H 02/1200Z 13.6N 118.5W 40 KT 45 MPH
24H 03/0000Z 13.5N 118.6W 40 KT 45 MPH
36H 03/1200Z 13.5N 118.7W 40 KT 45 MPH
48H 04/0000Z 13.7N 118.8W 35 KT 40 MPH
72H 05/0000Z 14.9N 119.2W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
96H 06/0000Z 16.7N 120.5W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
120H 07/0000Z 19.0N 122.5W 20 KT 25 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW

$$
FORECASTER BRENNAN
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256. Civicane49 2:41 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
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257. aislinnpaps 2:44 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting Grothar:


I don't know if you are familiar with the area, but Staten Island is pretty hilly, but if I remember, most of the east coast of the island would have probably been a Zone A area. Most should have evacuated, but the devastation was far inland. Staten Island is quite large. I don't think they are getting the help they need fast enough.


I grew up with stories of Staten Island. My grandfather grew up there on the Perine Estate. I have some great pictures of him there. I wondered what had happened to it in Sandy.
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258. mitthbevnuruodo 2:54 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting uncwhurricane85:


you dont think they are working as hard as they can...whats pathetic is to build a city at sea level and put the pargest mass transit system and power systems under that city


Yes, but much of that was done a long long time ago! The subway's been there for 100 years and NY was built up back then as well...can't blame the gov of any time recent for that! Not much difference that mostly sea-level Florida etc either.
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259. Grothar 2:57 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Member Since: July 17, 2009 Posts: 57 Comments: 19555
260. sar2401 2:59 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting prosa:
I just drove about ten miles - using up what very little gas I still have - in and around Medford, NY trying to find an open gas station. Lines or no lines. Ten of the eleven stations which I passed were out of gas. At the eleventh, the line was so enormously long that the police weren't allowing any new cars to join it.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to be at a high-priority work assignment about 20 miles away. It doesn't look as if I'll be able to go.

So why did you waste 10 miles worth of gas when you have a 20 mile "high-priority" assignment tomorrow? You might have made it if not for that 10 miles. Did you not know a storm was coming that might cause power to go off? You had no opportunity to fill up before the storm? I'm not trying to bust your chops, but it seems like some advance planning might have helped your problem.
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261. uncwhurricane85 3:00 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting mitthbevnuruodo:


Yes, but much of that was done a long long time ago! The subway's been there for 100 years and NY was built up back then as well...can't blame the gov of any time recent for that! Not much difference that mostly sea-level Florida etc either.


yes. true but florida can take a cat 5 better than new york can take a cat 1
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262. Grothar 3:02 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting aislinnpaps:


I grew up with stories of Staten Island. My grandfather grew up there on the Perine Estate. I have some great pictures of him there. I wondered what had happened to it in Sandy.


The communication is very sporadic. They have been concentrating on Tottenville, if you are familiar with that area.
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263. sar2401 3:04 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting Grothar:

Is this a semi-official or official blob? :)
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264. mitthbevnuruodo 3:04 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting HurrikanEB:
What astounds me about this is that Hurricane Andrew stood as the costliest atlantic hurricane for 12 years. And before that Agnes was first for twenty years, and then second for Andrew's 12.

But in the past eight years we have just completely DESTROYED those figures to the point where individual storms now cost more than entire seasons used to cost.

I mean, I remember when 2004 became the most costly season with a price tag of like 52 billion dollars or something.

It's just amazing. and horrifying.


I do think there is some degree of over-inflated costs for things the last 20 years, and even more so probably the last 10. A lot of people make a lot of money out of disasters. And when there's a lot of people needing, prices do tend to get higher. Not saying everyone, everywhere is a vulture ready to prey on those who need to rebuild, but there's a lot of them. NY are is one of the priciest in the world, so even though the south has seen greater devestation (not saying some places in the NE haven't seen a dose mind) but the cost will likely be even higher just cause it's there. And add the subway's, well that's a mess and much more difficult than roads.

edit: and can probably add population growth to it, so even more to deal with with that alone even
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265. waterskiman 3:06 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting prosa:
I just drove about ten miles - using up what very little gas I still have - in and around Medford, NY trying to find an open gas station. Lines or no lines. Ten of the eleven stations which I passed were out of gas. At the eleventh, the line was so enormously long that the police weren't allowing any new cars to join it.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to be at a high-priority work assignment about 20 miles away. It doesn't look as if I'll be able to go.

I don't have the link but they let you know what gas stations are running, most are rationing gas. Alot are not out of gas but just without electricity to run their pumps, check in the morn for who got their power back on re: gas stations
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266. mitthbevnuruodo 3:07 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting Grothar:


It really looks like that low in the N/E ATL is trying to get further south to some warmer waters! Feed me feed me!
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267. sunlinepr 3:08 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting prosa:
I just drove about ten miles - using up what very little gas I still have - in and around Medford, NY trying to find an open gas station. Lines or no lines. Ten of the eleven stations which I passed were out of gas. At the eleventh, the line was so enormously long that the police weren't allowing any new cars to join it.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to be at a high-priority work assignment about 20 miles away. It doesn't look as if I'll be able to go.


The positive fact is that you have internet... Check out online services for commuting in your area.... I believe there are car pool website links....

Also, take some family, friends with you with 5gal bottles and leave them in different stations.... That way you increase your probabilities....


Link
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268. sar2401 3:14 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting Grothar:


I don't know if you are familiar with the area, but Staten Island is pretty hilly, but if I remember, most of the east coast of the island would have probably been a Zone A area. Most should have evacuated, but the devastation was far inland. Staten Island is quite large. I don't think they are getting the help they need fast enough.

Except for looking at maps, I'm not at all familar with Staten Island. I see it's 59 square miles with only about 468,000 people. The number of deaths reported so far seem out of proportion to the population, especially with so many bodies still being found in homes. I've heard a lot of excuses why aid has been so slow to reach the island, but it appears there are four bridges that can be used for traffic. There are also a lot of heavy-lift helicopters on scene. It seems like it just got forgotten about until today.
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269. Tazmanian 3:14 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting Barefootontherocks:
Hey, Taz. When will it snow at your house?



when it feels like it
Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111361
270. mitthbevnuruodo 3:17 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting uncwhurricane85:


yes. true but florida can take a cat 5 better than new york can take a cat 1


Not argueing with you there!!


I feel really bad for some places that got hit bad like Staten Isle and New Jersey, they probs didn't really realise what was coming like someone in the south would (warnings or not). But then to see central New Yorkers in the areas with no electric, flooding libraries to charge their iphones and huddled around the front of closed Starbucks for their wi-fi, shows the scope of difference I think. I know being without power sucks, as get here frequently, but a world of difference between no power and devestated neighborhoods. I was surprised to come home and see the death toll having risen so much.

I think this year has been the wake up call year. Between cat 1 Isaac doing mucho damage and Sandy. Shows doesn't need to be a major. Sure leaves me wondering what surprises we may get here this winter. We have rubbish weather generally, but things have been odder the last few. I always have back up from growing up in earthquake country, but it still worries me what could happen!
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271. sar2401 3:17 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting aislinnpaps:


I'm sorry, I understood. I was agreeing with you, didn't say it well. They do these things after the fact no matter what the experiences they've already had most of the time.

No problem, I didn't take it any other way. It's very frustrating to see these same mistakes being made time after time and no one ever seems to learn. I guess there are too many old geezers like me that have retired, and the young pups haven't had enough time to learn.
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272. silverstripes 3:17 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting 900MB:
Long few days here in the big city. Our utility company, Con Ed, sucks! We still have 3 million people in the 5 boroughs without power. This is not good! Over the past 15 hours, no, none, zero customers have regained power. The 721k people in Manhattan have been promised power by 11:59 on Sat night. 5 days. The other 2.3 Million people- Nov 11th- 15 days! Pathetic!
I wrote a blog post on my trip from normalcy to zombieville here in manhattan yesterday: Link
Enjoy.
So Cal Edison should be there now to assist. They flew a bunch of equipment and personnel on massive Air Force transport planes out of March ARB this morning.


http://m.pe.com/penterprise/db_101732/contentdeta il.htm?contentguid=nQgfwj1N
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273. Grothar 3:17 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting mitthbevnuruodo:


It really looks like that low in the N/E ATL is trying to get further south to some warmer waters! Feed me feed me!


It is trying but it will not make it all the way down or even to the west. It could strengthen some though.

Here is the ECMWF image at 168 hours'



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274. Grothar 3:19 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting sar2401:

Is this a semi-official or official blob? :)


Pre-blob visual imagery.
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275. sunlinepr 3:19 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
GFS 183 hrs.... Coordination and preparation is crucial before this next Low hits the area...

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276. trHUrrIXC5MMX 3:22 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
I know its too early to ask this..

Could the NYC/CT area get some snow or rain/snow mix from this storm
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277. CaicosRetiredSailor 3:24 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Deaths in the United States and Canada from Sandy, the massive storm that hit the U.S. East Coast this week, rose to at least 98 on Thursday after more fatalities were reported by officials in New York City, New Jersey and elsewhere. The number of dead in New York City rose to 40, police said. At least 20 of the city's dead were found on Staten Island, whose southeast flank took the full brunt of the storm surge

via Reuters
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278. sar2401 3:25 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting sunlinepr:
GFS 183 hrs.... Coordination and preparation is crucial before this next Low hits the area...


This is one time I really hope the models are wrong. Many areas still won't have power in a week, and a cold an snowy low is about the last thing those folks need to deal with. Most models at 7+ days have been fantasy land stuff...except for Sandy. I'm hoping that they return to their usual loopy forecasts now.
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279. uncwhurricane85 3:25 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting trHUrrIXC5MMX:
I know its too early to ask this..

Could the NYC/CT area get some snow or rain/snow mix from this storm


as the models show right now its mostly a rain event, we all know how things can change though, the trend is for warmer weather after sunday for the eastcoast
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280. sar2401 3:27 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting trHUrrIXC5MMX:
I know its too early to ask this..

Could the NYC/CT area get some snow or rain/snow mix from this storm

If the models prove accurate, that's exactly what would happen. As I wrote, let's hope they are wrong, or that the low won't be as deep as what's being projected.
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281. waterskiman 3:27 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Hey anyone from connecticut, everyone is talking about NY NJ, but these guys got slapped also, just seen some pics the place is trashed.
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282. trHUrrIXC5MMX 3:29 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting waterskiman:
Hey anyone from connecticut, everyone is NY NJ, but these guys got wacked also, just seen some pics the place is trashed.


Im from CT...Danbury, CT

It is really bad..I work in Norwalk, CT...so much damage there
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283. trHUrrIXC5MMX 3:32 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting Grothar:


It is trying but it will not make it all the way down or even to the west. It could strengthen some though.

Here is the ECMWF image at 168 hours'





that looks a bit too strong for me
Member Since: April 23, 2011 Posts: 33 Comments: 7960
284. uncwhurricane85 3:34 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting sar2401:

If the models prove accurate, that's exactly what would happen. As I wrote, let's hope they are wrong, or that the low won't be as deep as what's being projected.


im not seeing any snow in the model runs all rain even inland and up to maine, actually the rain snow line isnt even in the precipitation its well north and west of it in all the models, the rain snow line doesnt come south until the low exits up into canada.
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285. waterskiman 3:41 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting trHUrrIXC5MMX:


Im from CT...Danbury, CT

It is really bad..I work in Norwalk, CT...so much damage there

Yep glad your alright. Same as some other storms they just seem to focus on one area when there is devistation in many states all around them. 12 states affected by this storm give or take a state but you wouldn't know it reading the news.
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286. CaicosRetiredSailor 3:43 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    


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287. CaicosRetiredSailor 3:51 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Homeowners in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will save thousands of dollars in insurance costs after several state governors declared that Sandy did not make landfall as a hurricane, exempting them from insurers' hurricane deductibles.
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288. AllyBama 4:04 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting CaicosRetiredSailor:
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Homeowners in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will save thousands of dollars in insurance costs after several state governors declared that Sandy did not make landfall as a hurricane, exempting them from insurers' hurricane deductibles.


hmmmm, I'll bet this will be a nightmare for the insurance companies to figure out...wanna bet this goes to court and who do you blame? You know that the insurance companies will fight this and if they don't I will definitely be surprised. Insurance companies are dropping people left and right along the gulf coast..just sad and bad for many..
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289. KoritheMan 4:06 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting sar2401:

This is one time I really hope the models are wrong. Many areas still won't have power in a week, and a cold an snowy low is about the last thing those folks need to deal with. Most models at 7+ days have been fantasy land stuff...except for Sandy. I'm hoping that they return to their usual loopy forecasts now.


One week isn't that far out when literally all the models are calling for something.
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290. sar2401 4:16 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting uncwhurricane85:


im not seeing any snow in the model runs all rain even inland and up to maine, actually the rain snow line isnt even in the precipitation its well north and west of it in all the models, the rain snow line doesnt come south until the low exits up into canada.

On second look, you're right. I'm not sure working in cold rain is better than snow, but at least it looks less likely that we'll have a blizzard.
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291. sar2401 4:17 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting KoritheMan:


One week isn't that far out when literally all the models are calling for something.

Yes, I know. I'm just hoping they are all nuts again this time, as they have been for other storms this year.
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292. KoritheMan 4:20 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting sar2401:

Yes, I know. I'm just hoping they are all nuts again this time, as they have been for other storms this year.


Even if they're off with the track, they haven't been bad at all when it comes to projecting the development of low pressure systems (not just tropical cyclones). Going by that alone, I feel pretty confident in the development of a non-tropical low off the eastern seaboard seven or so days from now.
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293. sar2401 4:21 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting CaicosRetiredSailor:
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Homeowners in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will save thousands of dollars in insurance costs after several state governors declared that Sandy did not make landfall as a hurricane, exempting them from insurers' hurricane deductibles.

It's not clear to me how a governor can make a declaration that Sandy wasn't a hurricane when the NHC did, even showing it intensifying right up until landfall. When this goes to court (which I'm sure it will), I suspect the judge and jury are more likely to listen to hurricane experts than governors with vested interests.
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294. uncwhurricane85 4:28 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting sar2401:

On second look, you're right. I'm not sure working in cold rain is better than snow, but at least it looks less likely that we'll have a blizzard.


thats for the GFS...i went back to look at the euro and it actually does show a fairly decent snow (for early november standards) from nyc northward....so i think the euro has been spot in the past few storms, if that pans out it will be colder and snowy...not good
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295. sunlinepr 4:31 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
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296. tc1120 4:37 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Im absolutely livid at the lack media coverage of my hometown Long Beach NY. Our island was absolutely devastated. So many houses were so damaged they are uninhabitable, out historic boardwalk -- gone, contaminated water, sewage overflow, and gas being turned off. But of you just followed the news, youd nevrr know. Now the stAte is trying to push us all out. This is no summer beach town. This is ridiculous!
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297. OcnGypZ 4:38 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting AllyBama:


hmmmm, I'll bet this will be a nightmare for the insurance companies to figure out...wanna bet this goes to court and who do you blame? You know that the insurance companies will fight this and if they don't I will definitely be surprised. Insurance companies are dropping people left and right along the gulf coast..just sad and bad for many..


From what I read in the paper, the State Ins Honchos met with the head honchos of the big insurer's.... State Farm, etc. The insurance companies agreed that the storm was not a hurricane. The article said there were not SUSTAINED winds of 100 mph. Yes.. 100mph.. that is the figure which was quoted in the newspaper article.

I have a feeling we are going to see some new peril definitions appear in our renewal policies as time progresses along with more cancellations and people having to enter the "high risk" pool.
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298. Manhattancane 4:48 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting uncwhurricane85:


you dont think they are working as hard as they can...whats pathetic is to build a city at sea level and put the pargest mass transit system and power systems under that city


Alot of cities are at sea level. Cause they're ports. And if you've seen a picture of a city street from the late 1800s, lived under the Chicago Loop (I haven't) or had the weather cut your power more than zero times in 20 years then you'd appreciate the undergroundness. (The Great Blizzard of 1888 put an end to all that) What is stupid is why people didn't raise the land or build a wall or something. I'm sure it's cause I'm used to actually being able to see the slope (and more average NYC elevations of 20-100 feet) (and I lived in Raleigh and loved TWC for a year, and know how bad global warming could get) but when I went far downtown for the first time since childhood I thought "this area is ridiculous". It has almost no descernable slope, the park looks like pancake flat from the air and I'm surrounded by the sea. The subway entrances are inches above sea level by midtown standards. And guess what, it happened - far sooner than I expected.

Of course I went to the water many times before but I guess it's different when you've forgotten how 'oceany' the air is this far south and how surrounded the land feels.
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299. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 5:01 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
00Z GFS

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300. Klolly23 5:08 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting tc1120:
Im absolutely livid at the lack media coverage of my hometown Long Beach NY. Our island was absolutely devastated. So many houses were so damaged they are uninhabitable, out historic boardwalk -- gone, contaminated water, sewage overflow, and gas being turned off. But of you just followed the news, youd nevrr know. Now the stAte is trying to push us all out. This is no summer beach town. This is ridiculous!

I feel for you, but just to let you know I'm 28 and my mother and step father are on their way as we speak to Long Beach area to spend a week to volunteer their time through their church.... We're from Sarasota, Fl. You are not forgotten by everyone :)
Member Since: August 7, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 35
301. Manhattancane 5:11 AM GMT on November 02, 2012    
Quoting uncwhurricane85:


yes. true but florida can take a cat 5 better than new york can take a cat 1


This was a 5.8 out of 6 on the surge scale, a surge more like a major hurricane's that hit in an abnormal westerly direction. And really? 156 mph winds and 20 feet of water in Miami vs a cat 1 at new york? And just curious, at what speed do regular windows blowout if nothing hits them?
Member Since: August 24, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 72

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About JeffMasters
Jeff co-founded the Weather Underground in 1995 while working on his Ph.D. He flew with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters from 1986-1990.

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