One year ago today, a hybrid storm called Super Storm Sandy hit the North East with high winds and an extreme storm surge. Usually when a nor’ easter or hurricane hits this area it stays just offshore or makes landfall in Long Island and moves north or north east.
With Sandy, this did not happen. A blocking high pressure area to the north and east of the region blocked the system and forced it to do the unthinkable and head right into the Jersey coast.
One year ago today, Super Storm Sandy devastated the East Coast of New Jersey and severely flooded the New York City area. Today, there are no tropical systems being monitored in the Caribbean but the clean up and rebuilding still continue in many parts of the North east.
Hurricane Sandy will be one of the most talked about storms for years as it massively damaged a good portion of the famous Jersey shore. In addition, massive damage is also evident in New York along with inland areas as well. I am a native of New Jersey and I was born and raised in that state. I can remember many times over the years where water would come over the barriers and dunes during severe storms and it would cause flooding in many cases. What happened here this month was totally different from anything that has happened here before. I even remember a few times when the pier at Seaside had to be repaired due to storm damage. Back in the early days of the boardwalk, I can remember several times when fire destroyed parts of the boardwalk in Point Pleasant. That was when they used the old boards that were soaked in a preservative that had a distinctive smell when you walked along the boardwalk. Improvements in materials over the years have the boardwalks burning a bit less likely but nothing can stop the power of a major storm surge, nothing.
Hurricane Sandy officially made landfall at Atlantic City. The system made a jog to the north just before landfall and hit with the lowest pressure ever recorded in Atlantic City. The pressure at landfall was a staggering 946mb.
Here is the last official hurricane statement from the NHC since Sandy is now post tropical.
POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE SANDY DISCUSSION NUMBER 31
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL182012
1100 PM EDT MON OCT 29 2012
Hurricane Sandy, now post-tropical storm Sandy, has slammed into the East Coast of the US. The Water rise at Battery Park in New York is a staggering 14.8 feet. Water is rushing into subway stations and the reports that Wall Street trading floor was flooded we found was not true. The Daily News is also under water. There are also reports of water getting into the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel.
Hurricane Sandy is expected to make landfall near Cape May NJ at around 6 PM tonight. Winds remain at 90 MPH as the system races towards the coast.
Massive storm surge and wind will cause severe flooding and damage along the entire Jersey Shore.
Do not venture from your safe space. Stay in place until the storm passes.
Hurricane Sandy has parts of Atlantic City under water. Parts of the boardwalk are floating in the water. In addition, 35 miles of the Garden State Parkway is closed due to flooding. There is not much that can be said but the extreme threat is imminent. Sandy is coming ashore in about 3 to 4 hours and the high tide tonight is going to be tremendous for storm surge. Hunker down and be safe. It is too late to move if you have not done so already.
I have received reports that parts of the Atlantic City boardwalk were floating in the flood waters. This is likely near the location where the storm will come ashore tonight. People are trapped by high water and rescues will be attempted when this tide cycle recedes. Tonights high tide will be the highest of the storm.
There are people who cannot be rescued at this time.
Police are not responding to many calls because of the severe flooding.
Hurricane Sandy is gearing up to be the storm of the century. Both the winds and the pressures have dropped. Although not all that great a presentation on satellite, NOAA aircraft have found winds at the surface at 85 MPH and more strengthening is forecast. This is unprecedented in a north east hurricane this time of year. Part of the reason is the fact that the system is not a full tropical system. It is going to be fed and maintained by a thing called baroclinic forcing. This is going to be the driving force of this system once the transition from tropical to extra-tropical takes place. I cannot stress enough that you need to be ready. Once the storm hits, rescue will not be able to help you. If you are trapped in a low lying area and the water begins to rise around you nobody will be able to get to you till after the storm.
Hurricane Sandy is getting ready to make her final move towards the New Jersey Coast. Life threatening storm surge, winds and rain are expected. Storm surges could be the highest ever recorded in history. Please, if you are in an evacuation area, get OUT! Listen to the authorities and do what they tell you. Time is almost out. Remember, once the storm begins and water starts to rise around you, nobody is going to be able to rescue you. This is how so many people died in Katrina. Take action immediately as this situation is a matter of life and death.
