Superstorm Sandy at the
Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine
Research Reserve (JCNERR)
Gregg P. Sakowicz
Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve
NERRS Technician Training Workshop
12-14 February 2013
Superstorm Sandy
• Landfall Monday October 29th, 2012 at 7PM in Atlantic
City, NJ.
• Second-largest Atlantic tropical cyclone on record
(Hurricane Olga set the record in 2001)
• Strengthened under –PNA
• Took a very atypical path due to a strong –NAO
PNA (Pacific/North American
Teleconnection Pattern)
• Associated with the strength and location of the East
Asian Jet Stream
• Affects movement of weather systems and development
of tropical systems
+PNA
(exaggerated for illustrative purposes)
Cold air
H
tropical
development
hindered
-PNA
(exaggerated for illustrative purposes)
L
tropical
development
supported
Warm air
Image credit: NOAA Climate Prediction Center
North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)
• Controls strength and direction of Westerly winds and
storm tracks across North Atlantic
• +NAO leads to increased westerly winds, Arctic air
corralled at high latitudes
• -NAO suppresses westerly winds, causes Jet Stream to
meander, and sets up conditions for a “blocking high”
over Greenland
+NAO
(exaggerated for illustrative purposes)
systems
move
quickly,
offshore
Bermuda
High
-NAO
(exaggerated for illustrative purposes)
Blocking
High
systems
pushed towards coast
and strengthen
How did the PNA and NAO interact
with Sandy?
• A -PNA set up conditions for tropical
development
• Conditions associated with -NAO blocked escape
and pushed her towards the Eastern Seaboard
Hurricane vs. Superstorm
Designation
• Hurricane Sandy (Cat 1) hybridized with a Nor’easter
developing over the Northeastern seaboard and went
“extratropical”
– “Warm core” vs. “cold core”
– Similar mechanism as 1991 “Perfect Storm”
• Despite this reclassification, barometric pressure
(940mmHg) was characteristic of a Category 3 or 4
hurricane
• Winds did not significantly weaken and storm actually
grew before making landfall
Why Was Damage So Severe?
• Size of storm maximized surge
• Track of storm maximized surge
• Maximum surge arrived with high-tide under full moon
• Pressure-driven storm surge magnified by low bp
• Debris and jetsam caused mechanical damage
• Over-confidence (“The Irene-effect”)
• Declassification confused public and officials
Why Was Damage So Severe?
(continued)
• Rain runoff stacked more water on top of surge in bays
• Wind strength created significant waves even in
sheltered waters
• Wind-shift to SSW after eye passage drove water into
bayside communities and South-facing corners and
coves in bays
• Etc. etc. etc.
• Call to evacuate was delayed (in my opinion)
NOAA’s GFS model vs. the others
Sandy in the JCNERR
As seen through SWMP
(System-Wide Monitoring Program)
Nacote Creek Weather Station
• The NC weather station captured Sandy’s
effects and survived the storm
• Recorded barometric pressure of 946mmHg
• Peak wind speed of 25.6m/s (57.3mph)
• Rainfall high in SNJ, less northward
Wind Speed
Rainfall
Four days
Rainfall
= 138.2
mm
= 125.0
mm
Four days
Water-Quality Stations
• All 4 station datasondes survived(ish) the storm
• Telemetry at B6 transmitted data live through the
event
• Telemetry station at NE was lost
Water Quality Stations
• Sandy’s surge stacked the following water ON
TOP OF the already-high tides at each station:
–
–
–
–
Buoy 126:
Buoy 139:
Chestnut Neck:
Lower Bank:
1.3m (4.3ft.)
1.2m (3.9ft.)
1.3m (4.3ft.)
2.0m (6.6ft.)
(All values approximate)
How did the JCNERR Fair?
• Relatively natural system
- Populated areas in striking contrast vs. natural
• Storm surge protected marsh surface
• Hard, vertical features and structures bore brunt of
impact
• Some bank erosion and habitat loss
• Underwater effects yet to be studied
RUMFS
RUMFS
RUMFS
RUMFS
RUMFS
Holgate &
Forsythe Reserve
Holgate &
Forsythe Reserve
Holgate &
Forsythe Reserve
Little Beach
Little Beach
Parson’s Clam Hatchery
Parson’s Clam Hatchery
Tuckerton
Cove
Tuckerton
Cove
Future Work
• Analysis of Satellite and LiDAR imagery
Future Work
Future Work
In Summary
• Preliminary assessment of the reserve is favorable
• The JCNERR’s SWMP stations captured Sandy as
intended*
• Data will be useful in studies examining how the
environment and organisms recover from this event
• Data are comparable to that collected at other NERRs
• Data are available for download at www.nerrsdata.org