Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy - One Year Later - A Look Back

Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy

One Year Later - A Look Back

Superstorm Sandy as she heads towards NYC/NJ

Sandy started as a low pressure system that first formed into a tropical depression on October 22nd, 2012 just south of Jamaica. As it progressed north  Sandy yo-yo'ed from hurricane status to extratropical, to tropical storm conditions back to hurricane status. At peak intensity Hurricane Sandy reached sustained winds of 115 MPH, had a lowest internal pressure of 940 millibars, and was roughly moving between 10-20 MPH through the Atlantic ocean.

Sandy's Long and Variable Track to NJ

Hurricane Sandy affected a total of 9 different countries, killing at least 280 people and injuring over a dozen. The United States had at least 24 states effected in this storm, which later ends up becoming the 2nd costliest hurricane in US history, behind only Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Sandy causes an estimated 65 billion dollars worth of destruction in her wake.

Superstorm Sandy as seen from NY

Hurricane Sandy topped out at a Category 3 hurricane, it was the 10th hurricane of the year- and the second most powerful of the 2012 hurricane season. Sandy made not one but three landfalls during her travels through the Atlantic- one in Jamaica on 10/24/2012, one in Cuba on 10/25/2012, and one in New Jersey on 10/29/2012. At its widest, Sandy covered 820 miles- more than double of Hurricane Isaac and Irene combined.

Manhattan without power Post-Sandy

Hurricane Sandy also directly and indirectly killed tens of thousands of animals during the storm, the most alarming of those numbers where the research animals that were just left to die in cages by the thousands. In the midst of despair and destruction however, life continued and several babies were born. Sandy is also 'blamed' for a baby boom that took place in NJ 9 months after the destruction.

Aerial View of Damage

Hurricane Sandy was deemed 'Superstorm Sandy' because of the unusual pattern of the storm, other names for the storm included Snowicane Sandy, Frankenstorm, and Snor'eastercane Sandy. Not only did Sandy go against normal jet stream patterns because of a 'wall' over Greenland, but it also combined with a stalled Arctic front- giving us Superstorm Sandy. Along with Superstorm Sandy, the NY/NJ area saw a 13 foot storm surge which was likely increased due to rising sea levels in the last hundred years.

Aerial View of NJ Boardwalk Before and After Sandy

Superstorm Sandy caused an estimated 8,000,000,000+ homes to be without power throughout 17 states, even as far as Michigan. There were still people in NJ the day before Thanksgiving that still did not have any power. An estimated 10,000 plus turkeys were donated by City Harvest to help families in need during the holiday. It took 57,000 workers from 30 different states and Canada to finally get the power restored to New York City alone. 12 people died of carbon monoxide poising from not realizing they had to vent their portable generators fumes outside.

Flooded Subway Systems in Manhattan

FEMA received over 125,000 applications for assistance post-Sandy, and received over $100 million dollars to help those in need. The Red Cross passed out well over 100,000 comfort kits in the days after Sandy. There was also a gas shortage for a week in the Tri-State area due to the storm, and lines that ended in riots and fights. The gas ration last in NYC for 15 days, NJ for 11, and Long Island for 9.

Debris washed up along Shore line

Superstorm Sandy shut down the New York Stock Exchange for 2 days causing an estimated 25 billion worth of lost activity, an event that hadn't been seen in over 120 years. The US Supreme Court was also shut down for a day during Sandy. Travel by air, rail, bus, and road was shut down for days, affecting well over 1 million travelers, and a total of almost 20,000 flights had been canceled because of the storm. Social networking flourished in these times- with over 600 Sandy related photos being uploaded every minute, and more than 20 million tweets during the 2 days before and after the storm hit.

Cars Submerged by storm surge flooding in NYC

President Obama signed Emergency Declarations ahead of the storm, allowing some states to take extra measures against the storm. The President also put an estimated 45,000 National Guardsmen and Air Force members on alert across 7 states to help out during and in the wake of the storm. 5 US states issued both suggested and mandatory evacuation orders a head of the storm.

Sandy storm surge causing damage along coastline of NY

Sandy cancelled and/or postponed Halloween for millions of children across several states- the likes to which most had never seen. Well over 1,500 FEMA members were deployed to help out with post-Sandy related work, the Red Cross sent about 4,000 workers in as well. Federal search and rescue task forces were also sent to the Mid-Atlantic region to help out. A television music special aired to raise funds for the Red Cross and Sandy relief efforts, an estimated 23 million dollars was raised, also Disney/ABC raised 17 million for disaster relief.

Flooded Streets in NY

Scientists later found that the energy released by Superstorm Sandy would be that of a 2-3 magnitude earthquake. NJ closed all of its Atlantic City Casinos, and a 50 foot piece of boardwalk is ripped off their shoreline. 10 billion gallons of raw sewage was released into the waters surrounding NY/NJ during Sandy- the East River overflowed its banks as well as the Hudson River in NJ. 

Destroyed Roller Coaster on Pier in NJ Shore

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio lost its siding, Lake Huron saw 23 foot waves, and a foot of snow fell because of Sandy in Kentucky. Hundreds of flights were cancelled in Canada, and thousand lost power. A huge amount of people were affected by Superstorm Sandy, and because of that it will never be forgotten. the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Sandy in 2012- replacing it with Sara for future storms. To this day over one-fourth of the people displaced by Sandy haven't returned to their homes. Remember that the next time the big one rolls through.

 If you live in the Tri-State are please read:
The Big One - Aaron Naparstek

&& Remember, always be prepared!

xoxo disaster girl

Small Tsunami Hits the Jersey Shore, Everyone Shrugs

SMALL TSUNAMI HITS JERSEY SHORE,
EVERYONE SHRUGS

STATEMENT FROM THE NOAA ON NEW JERSEY TSUNAMI

"Tsunami-like waves were observed along the US east coast during the afternoon of June 13, 2013 (day 164). The source is complex and still under review, though the coincidence at several gages with strong atmospheric pressure fluctuations indicate that it is at least partly generated by meteorological causes. The event occurred in close conjunction with a weather system labeled by the National Weather Service as a low-end derecho which propagated from west to east over the New Jersey shore just before the tsunami. It is also possible that the slumping at the continental shelf east of New Jersey played a role. The tsunami was observed at over 30 tide gages and one DART buoy throughout the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean.

This event produced a tsunami that was recorded at tide gages monitored by the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WCATWC). Many observatories provide data to the centers; such as the NOAA National Ocean Service, the U. of Hawaii Sea Level Center, the Chilean Navy, the Japan Meteorological Agency and the National Tidal Facility in Australia among others. " -Full Statement Here

LAYMAN'S TERMS / REAL WORLD TRANSLATION

'Tsunami-like waves were seen along the US east coast on June 13, 2013. What caused the storm is not fully understood at the moment and still being figured out, we did have several shore lined weather gauges that picked up something. The wave was partly caused by the weather. The wave happened around the same time a straight-lined storm was seen on radar, and warnings were issued for. The shape of the ocean floor may have helped too. We picked it up on over 30 ocean buoys and said nothing until after it happened.

Whatever actually happened plus the weather caused a tsunami, and was recorded at our center. We get info from a bunch of places."

So why weren't any warnings issued?

We will never really know. The reasons why tsunami warnings are issued is highly complex as is it, so perhaps in the end they either 1. Felt warnings weren't necessary, or 2. Didn't know until after the fact. Either way, if there is a small tsunami- you apparently may not get a warning. Below are some helpful tips to help you spot the makings of a tsunami, and also help you survive if you ever have the unfortunate luck of meeting one face to face.

TSUNAMI FACTS

1. A tsunami is not a single wave, in fact it is actually a series of waves. It is also known by the name 'wave train'.

2. A tsunami can be incredibly long, sometimes spanning as much as 60 miles. The waves may also be very spread out, and occur as much as an hour apart from each other. They can also travel incredible distances, traveling thousands of miles at speeds up to 500 MPH before reaching a destination. Once the destination has been reached flooding can spread as far inland as a thousand feet or more. Generally speaking most tsunamis reach only a height of 10 FT, but they can still cause a significant amount of damage.

3. Tsunamis are typically created by earthquakes although landslides, volcanic eruptions, and meteor impacts can also be the culprits of such large waves.

4. The Pacific Ocean is the most active ocean when it comes to tsunamis.

TSUNAMI WARNING SIGNS/
TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE

1. Many people who have experienced a tsunami say that the oncoming wave sounds like that of a freight train.

2. Because earthquakes usually cause tsunamis, they tend to be a great way to have an advanced warning. If you have heard about a larger earthquake that shares an ocean with you, look up whether any warnings have been issued. West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center , Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

3. Many people who have witnessed a tsunami say that there is frequently a noticeable drop/rise in sea levels. So if the ocean suddenly recedes, head for higher ground.

4. Remember it's not just one wave and there are probably more on the way. Seek higher ground, and if safe continue to seek even higher ground. The first wave isn't always the 'worst' wave.

5. Stay away from all bodies of water that connect to the ocean as well, as they can also become heavily flooded and experience large waves as well.

6. Always try to have some type of emergency kit with you! Throw a small first aid kit, a bottle of water and a couple of food bars in your bag!

7. Some people believe that your pets can tell when something is off in the environment. All different types of animals have been reported as acting 'funny' (I.E. all dogs barking, large flocks of birds fleeing in one direction, etc) before many different natural disasters.

Consider this your warning.

xoxo disaster girl