Tyler VanWagenen
Geog 1700
Term Paper
Hurricane Sandy
Report
I chose Hurricane Sandy because it is a storm that I was very interested in. I knew
about it, as well as how catastrophic, but I wanted to learn more. I wanted to know
exactly what made this storm so bad and why. I had more questions than just what we
learned in class.
Hurricane Sandy occurred in late October of 2012. It began in the Caribbean on
October 22, and after only six hours it became a tropical storm and got it's name. Two
days later, the tropical storm hit Jamaica and became a hurricane. It crossed Cuba as well
as the Bahamas, strengthening and weakening along the way. On October 29, Hurricane
Sandy curved, entering the United States for the first time. New Jersey was the first state
to get hit, and it was hit with eighty mph winds (7). This was also the night of the full
moon, making the tide 20% higher, amplifying the storm surge(1). At its peak, Hurricane
Sandy reached a Category 3 Hurricane. As it moved west, Hurricane Sandy collided with
an arctic cold front creating an extratropical storm. This is one difference that makes
Hurricane Sandy different than other hurricanes.
Hurricane (or "Superstorm" because of the way that it collided with a frontal
system(6)) Sandy became the largest Atlantic Hurricane on record. It had a diameter of
1,100 miles long.
Hurricane Sandy affected millions of people across the eastern United States and
six other countries. At least 285 people were killed between those countries, from being
trapped in collapsed houses, to being swept away in floods. Heavy flooding, heavy snow,
and gale- force winds were all factors of Hurricane Sandy. Near Richwood, West
Virginia, a town received three feet of snow (8). It was the costliest hurricane to occur in
several countries including Haiti, which is still recovering from the 2010 earthquake.
Hurricane Sandy affected twenty four States throughout the US in some way.
Seventy- two deaths occurred in the United States because of Hurricane Sandy. Fortyeight in New York, twelve in New Jersey, five in Connecticut, two each in Virginia and
Pennsylvania, and one each in West Virginia, Maryland, and New Hampshire. Waves
reached ten feet high, but had been reported at twenty feet high is some areas.
Hurricane Sandy caused tens of billions of dollars of damage to the United States,
as well as stopping 13,000 flights(2), flooding subways, and shutting off power to
millions of people, some not for days after the hurricane subsided. The stock exchange
was also closed from October 29 to October 31. (3)
Global Warming has been a topic of Hurricane Sandy since it occurred. Scientists
believe that Hurricane Sandy was definitely strengthened because of global warming.
Increased temperature of the east coast waters is a factor. As the temperature increases,
the capacity of the air to hold water increases. This increases the chance of precipitation
and stronger storms than in the past. (4) Normally, Hurricanes are forced east because of
the jet stream. In this case, the jet stream was blocked because of a high pressure zone
over Greenland. Some scientists believe that this occurred because of the melting arctic
ice. They believe that because of the temperature of the poles and equator changing, the
jet stream will slow down and get stuck in loops. They say that this storm will be the
"new normal for the eastern seaboard." (5)
Analysis
Hurricane Sandy was able to be forecasted and predicted. Between June 1st and
November 30 is hurricane season for the Atlantic Ocean. Each year, scientists determine
how many hurricanes they believe will occur. This is a prediction. The number they
chose may or may not happen, and that makes it a prediction.
Hurricane Sandy was definitely forecasted. Scientists knew about it as soon as it
started as a tropical disturbance south of Jamaica. It was then forecasted where its path
would be if it was to get stronger and continue north. Many forecasts were made public
as soon at the storm began. Jamaica issued a storm watch as soon as the eye of the
hurricane was created. The very next day, Cuba and the Bahamas issued a storm watch.
FEMA kept the east coast on what was going on with Hurricane Sandy, as well as with
emergency management. President Obama issued federal relief to be requested before the
storm even made contact with the United States. Schools were closed, as well as well as
States of Emergencies in some states. These warnings were very effective and a major
reason why more people were not killed. The advanced technology the United States has
was a major factor.
Not very much is understood about this particular event such as the probability.
This storm was called a "Superstorm" for a reason. It had more factors to it to make it
such a devastating storm than a normal hurricane.
The chance of another storm such as Hurricane Sandy does seem likely. A year
ago, this type of storm would seem unlikely. If global warming is in fact a major factor of
this storm, than I think that more needs to be done and studied about this particular storm.
In this particular region, I believe that this is very likely to happen again. It has all of the
necessary factors to make normal hurricanes for most of each year, and possibly a
hurricane of this magnitude each year as well.
Many different types of natural disasters were caused because of Hurricane
Sandy. Floods happened all over the United States due to the rain, some reported to be
five feet high. Blizzards were also caused because of this hurricane, and so houses
collapsing was very possible and did occur in some states. Heavy winds caused power
lines to fall creating power outages as far west as Michigan. Icy roads caused traffic
accidents in New York, West Virginia, Ohio, and other states where the rain from the
hurricane turned into snow.
Human activity in the past decade could have been a factor in Hurricane Sandy.
Global warming and the burning of fossil fuels is an issue and is very controversial. If
indeed it did have an effect, it might not have changed the way that it turned out to be a
catastrophe. The storm could still have occurred, but it might not have lasted as long or
been quite so powerful. More people are moving to coastal regions each year. These are
the people that are the most effected, and so that would have been different fifty years
ago. Not as many people, not as much damage.
The United States was definitely ready for this type of event. Hurricane warnings
and watches were used, and emergency agencies were on call. Schools were closed, and
flights were cancelled before the hurricane was felt. Being ready for this event probably
saved millions of lives. We were very prepared, and knew about the hurricane days
before it reached land. The United States government did all that it could do to prepare us
for this hurricane; it was up to individuals if they wanted to evacuate or not. There is not
very much other countries could do to prepare better for a storm like this without the
technology that the United States has. The United States could warn them when we are
informed. Now that we are aware that storms like this can occur, everyone can be more
prepared on what they need to do to stay alive. Knowing the storm is coming is one thing,
saving yourself and your family for something that you are not used to is another.
One benefit of Hurricane Sandy is the knowledge of knowing what mother nature
is capable of. We have never seen a storm like this one ended up being, and know we
know what to expect the next time a storm like this is on it's way. The people that are
really harmed in storms like this are the ones that are not educated enough about them,
and take the risk of being unprepared. Hurricane Sandy was a wake up call for every in
the east that has that state of mind. Another benefit of this storm was the information we
learned about the paths that hurricanes take. Many agencies were watching this storm
cross the Caribbean toward the United States, and so lots of information was obtained
about how their behavior.
In conclusion, this was a very interesting report. I enjoyed learning about every
detail of this storm, as well as how it was made possible and what was done to prepare
for a storm of this magnitude. I am also interested in how the next storm like this will
play out, and what could happen to be better prepared.
Bibliography
1. Sharp, Tim. Superstorm Sandy: Facts About the Frankenstorm. 11/27/2012.
http://www.livescience.com/24380-hurricane-sandy-status-data.html
2. Johnson, Alex. Catastrophic flooding hits Northeast as Sandy plows ashore.
10/30.2012. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/49593609/ns/weather
3. Ng, Christina. Newcomb, Alyssa. Superstorm Sandy: Death Toll Up to 50, but Some
Steps Toward Recovery. 10/30/2012. http://abcnews.go.com/US/superstorm-sandy-33dead-estimated-million-power/story?id=17594562#.UJAFFG_WIm8
4. Reynolds, Michael. Hurricane Sandy mixes super-storm conditions with climate
change. 10/29/2012. http://theconversation.edu.au/hurricane-sandy-mixes-super-stormconditions-with-climate-change-10388
5. Edward, Mason. Hello again, climate change. 11/6/2012.
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/11/hello-again-climate-change/
6. Nolan, David. Why is Sandy unusual? 10/29/2012.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/29/opinion/nolan-hurricane-sandy
7. Daniel Brown; Dave Roberts. Post- Tropical Cyclone Sandy Tropical Cyclone Update.
National Hurricane Center. 10/30/2012.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.update.10300002.shtml?
8. Eric S. Blake, Todd B. Kimberlain, Robert J. Berg, John P. Cangialosi and John L.
Beven II. Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Sandy. National Hurricane Center.
2/12/2013. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL182012_Sandy.pdf