Hurricane Sandy was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, as well as the second-costliest hurricane in United States history. In the U.S., Sandy killed 117 people from Oct. 28 through Nov. 30, 2012. In total, 286 people globally are said to have died from the storm. Tropical storm force winds extended over an area more than 1,000 miles in diameter. Peak winds measured near 100 miles per hour over the Gulf Stream, approximately 220 miles south of Atlantic City, N.J. At its height of intensity, just over Cuba, Hurricane Sandy clocked in as a Category 3 storm. In the United States, 24 states experienced a range of storm effects, including wind, rain, flood, coastal surge and blizzards. Sandy caused water levels to rise along the entire East Coast of the U.S., ranging from Florida to Maine. The highest storm surges occurred in the states of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Millions were affected across five Caribbean nations (Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto Rico). Sandy was blamed for 117 U.S. deaths and damaged 200,000 homes. In the U.S., power outages affected more than 8 million residents. Costs have been estimated at more than $50 billion, second only to Hurricane Katrina as the nation’s costliest natural disaster. In New York City, loss estimates exceed $19 billion -- with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority sustaining roughly $5 billion in damages to the citys infrastructure and lost revenue.* A total of 24 U.S. states were in some way affected by Sandy. The hurricane caused tens of billions of dollars in damage in the United States, destroyed thousands of homes, left millions without electric service,[190] and caused 72 direct deaths in eight states, including 48 in New York, 12 in New Jersey, 5 in Connecticut, 2 each in Pennsylvania and Virginia, and 1 each in New Hampshire, West Virginia and Maryland. There were also 2 direct deaths from Sandy in U.S. coastal waters in the Atlantic Ocean, about 90 miles (150 km) off the North Carolina coast, which are not counted in the U.S. total. In addition, the storm resulted in 87 indirect deaths.[1] In all, a total of 160 people were killed due to the storm, making Sandy the deadliest hurricane to hit the United States mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the deadliest to hit the U.S. East Coast since Hurricane Agnes in 1972.[191] Due to flooding and other storm-related problems, Amtrak canceled all Acela Express, Northeast Regional, Keystone, and Shuttle services for October 29 and 30.[192][193] More than 13,000 flights were canceled across the U.S. on October 29, and more than 3,500 were called off October 30.[194] From October 27 through early November 1, airlines canceled a total of 19,729 flights, according to FlightAware.[195] On October 31, over 6 million customers were still without power in 15 states and the District of Columbia. The states with the most customers without power were New Jersey with 2,040,195 customers; New York with 1,933,147; Pennsylvania with 852,458; and Connecticut with 486,927.[196] The storm underlines the fragility of the aging American infrastructure, with an electricity network that is ranked lower than that of considerably poorer nations like Slovenia or Portugal.[197] Storm total rainfall for Sandy (2012) across the United States The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq reopened on October 31 after a two-day closure for storm.[198] More than 1,500 FEMA personnel were along the East Coast working to support disaster preparedness and response operations, including search and rescue, situational awareness, communications and logistical support. In addition, 28 teams containing 294 FEMA Corps members were pre-staged to support Sandy responders. Three federal urban search and rescue task forces were positioned in the Mid-Atlantic and ready to deploy as needed.[199] On November 2, the American Red Cross announced they have 4,000 disaster workers across storm damaged areas, with thousands more en route from other states. Nearly 7,000 people spent the night in emergency shelters across the region.[200] Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together, a live telethon on November 2 that featured rock and pop stars such as Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Mary J. Blige, Sting and Christina Aguilera, raised around $23 million for American Red Cross hurricane relief efforts.[201] As of November 5, 2012, the National Hurricane Center ranks Hurricane Sandy the second costliest US hurricane since 1900 in constant 2010 dollars, and the sixth costliest after adjusting for inflation, population and property values.[202] Their report also states that due to global warming the number of future hurricanes will either decrease or remain essentially unchanged overall, but the ones that do form will likely be stronger, with fiercer winds and heavier rains.[202] Scientists at the University of Utah reported the energy generated by Sandy was equivalent to small earthquakes between magnitudes 2 and 3.[203]* New York governor Andrew Cuomo called National Guard members to help in the state. Storm impacts in Upstate New York were much more limited than in New York City; there was some flooding and a few downed trees.[238] Rochester area utilities reported slightly fewer than 19,000 customers without power, in seven counties.[239] In the state as a whole, however, more than 2,000,000 customers were without power at the peak of the storm.[196] * Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg announced that New York City public schools would be closed Tuesday, October 30 and Wednesday, October 31, but they remained closed through Friday, November 2.[240] CUNY and NYU canceled all classes and campus activities for October 30.[241] The New York Stock Exchange was closed for trading for two days, the first weather closure of the exchange since 1985.[242] It was also the first two-day weather closure since the Great Blizzard of 1888.[243] The East River overflowed its banks, flooding large sections of Lower Manhattan. Battery Park had a water surge of 13.88 ft.[244] Seven subway tunnels under the East River were flooded.[245] The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that the destruction caused by the storm was the worst disaster in the 108-year history of the New York City subway system.[246] Sea water flooded the Ground Zero construction site.[247] Over 10 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage were released by the storm, 94% of which went into waters in and around New York and New Jersey.[248] In addition, a four story Chelsea buildings facade crumbled and collapsed, leaving the interior on full display; however, no one was hurt by the falling masonry.[249] After receiving many complaints that holding the marathon would divert needed resources, Mayor Bloomberg announced late afternoon November 2 that the New York City Marathon had been canceled. The event was to take place on Sunday, November 4. Marathon officials had said that they did not plan to reschedule.[250] Gas shortages throughout the region led to an effort by the U.S. federal government to bring in gasoline and set up mobile truck distribution at which people could receive up to 10 gallons of gas, free of charge. This caused lines of up to 20 blocks long and was quickly suspended.[251] On Thursday, November 8, Mayor Bloomberg announced odd-even rationing of gasoline would be in effect beginning November 9 until further notice.[252] On November 26, Governor Cuomo called Sandy more impactful than Hurricane Katrina, and estimated costs to New York at $42 billion.[253] The storm severely damaged or destroyed around 100,000 homes on Long Island with more than 2,000 homes deemed uninhabitable there.[254]
Posted on: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 19:56:51 +0000