Update on Sandy, Der Frankenstorm
Hey there,
A word about the unofficial name of this event, the Frankenstorm: it originated because the storm is a hybrid of a hurricane, a high pressure ridge, and a cold front, creating a hurricane-Nor'easter hybrid--just as Frankenstein's monster was a maudlin patchwork of humanity. And given that this storm is taking place a couple of days before Halloween, it was bound to resonate. And its Germanic tenor is gold.
(Some outlets like CNN and The Weather Channel have banned any reference to this event as the Frankenstorm, believing that the moniker trivializes a serious and potentially deadly situation. To these fuddy-duddys I say: Get a goddamned sense of humor, will ya?)
See that dark green area indicating who is likely to get EIGHT INCHES OR MORE of rain? And did you notice that we are in that dark green area? So yeah.So not much has changed regarding the forecast, but some of the timing and particulars have come into clearer focus. Specifically:
- We will see some rain from this system Sunday afternoon and evening, but the heavy, lashing rain and whipping winds won't arrive until overnight into early Monday morning.
- The entire days on Monday and Tuesday will be just unimaginably shitty. All day Monday and all day Tuesday we can expect sustained winds in the 35-45mph range with gusts reaching 60-70mph (especially on Tuesday). Rain and wind will begin to taper on Tuesday evening and overnight into Wednesday. We could still have a linger shower or three on Wednesday and it'll still be cloudy, but that's it.
- The most prominent hazards from this storm will be property damage from flying objects, long-term power outages, storm surges at and near the coasts, and significant flooding.
- The governor of New Jersey, the mayor of Philadelphia, and the Berks County Commissioners have declared states of emergency for their areas. Colleges have begun to cancel classes for Monday and Tuesday. I feel confident that our schools will be closed on Monday and Tuesday as well--and maybe beyond, depending on the power outage and downed-tree situations.
- Be sure to send me updates at monsoonmartin@gmail.com: storm damage, outages, mewling, and the like. And I'll be sure to send out updates about closures, track, and other particulars as needed (and as possible, depending on the power company).
Stay safe. And also: Hasselhoff.