A churning, lashing beast.
I've seen Hurricane Sandy called the Perfect Storm, a Frankenstorm, and Sandy Cane (?), but the above phrase provides a description that is more apt than wry.
The storm is coming, and it will hit us. Precise track and landfall will be determined by a variety of factors, but here is what I think is going to happen:
Sandy will make landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula/South Jersey area on Monday afternoon, but we will begin to see some rain from this system by Sunday afternoon, and some winds (10-20mph), but neither will be heavy.
Barometric pressures with this event could reach historic lows.
On Monday, the winds and rain get heavier, and by Monday evening (6-8pm) we'll see tropical storm conditions moving in to the area. (That means sustained winds in the 35-45mph range and gusts of 60-70mph, with heavy rain.) These conditions will persist into Tuesday night and perhaps even into Wednesday morning. Rain from Sandy will linger into Thursday.
A "Frequently Asked Questions" section follows.
What complications are likely to develop?
- High winds will lead to widespread damage (from fallen trees, branches and other projectiles) in the form of broken windows and the like
- Widespread power outages, most seriously on Monday into Tuesday, potentially lasting for several days or even a week - mostly due to fallen trees and high winds
- Storm surges of five or more feet - not only coastally, but 20-30 miles inland as well. It's a full moon Monday, so tides will be high to begin with
- Rainfall in the amount of 5-6 inches will lead to swollen waterways, wet basements, and widespread inland flooding
- Widespread flight delays or cancellations, as the storm will impact transportation hubs like D.C., NYC, and Philadelphia
Is this storm likely to cause school cancellations, delays, and the like?
- Yes. I foresee an early dismissal on Monday and closure Tuesday and Wednesday.
How should we prepare?
- Buy canned food and bottled water - things that will keep in unrefrigerated conditions.
- Make sure you have plenty of batteries on hand to power flashlights and radios.
- Bring in outdoor furniture, garden tools, toys, garbage cans, and landscape decorations, removing anything that could become a projectile in high winds.
- Don't drive through a water-covered road, as it's usually impossible to ascertain the depth of the water. After every storm of this nature, there's footage of some poor schmuck being rescued from floodwaters after he drove into a flooded section of roadway and his car stalled out. Don't be that schmuck.
- Watch out for tornadoes, as tropical storms can often produce them.
- During periods of extremely high winds, stay on the first floor and away from windows.
- Don't mess around with downed power lines and get yourself electrocuted.
- Don't try to cuddle a panda, no matter how cute it might look. Learned that one the hard way.
Stay tuned for updates this weekend as the storm comes into clearer focus...