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===The Bahamas=== ===The Bahamas===
The ], at 1500&nbsp;UTC on October&nbsp;23, issued a tropical storm watch for several Bahamian islands, including the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="advis5"/> Later that day, another tropical storm watch was issued for ], ], the ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="advis6"/> By early on October&nbsp;24, the tropical storm watch for Cat Island, Exuma, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador was upgraded to a tropical storm warning.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public.007.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 7|author=John Beven II|date=2012-10-24|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2012-10-24}}</ref> The ], at 1500&nbsp;UTC on October&nbsp;23, issued a tropical storm watch for several Bahamian islands, including the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="advis5"/> Later that day, another tropical storm watch was issued for ], ], the ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="advis6"/> By early on October&nbsp;24, the tropical storm watch for Cat Island, Exuma, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador was upgraded to a tropical storm warning.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public.007.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 7|author=John Beven II|date=2012-10-24|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2012-10-24}}</ref>

===United States===
In ], the state's emergency management agency has started issuing situational awareness news releases as some computer models show that Sandy could "potentially transition over the weekend into a powerful ]."
The five-day forecast from the National Hurricane Center predicts the center of the storm will travel along the east coast of the United States over the weekend.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy kills one in Jamaica|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/24/world/americas/tropical-weather-sandy/index.html|publisher=CNN|accessdate=25 October 2012}}</ref>

A great deal of the upper U.S. East Coast has a good chance of receiving ]-force winds, flooding, heavy rain and maybe even snow early next week by an unusual hybrid of Hurricane Sandy and a winter storm.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trick, no treat: Forecasters predict pre-Halloween freak hurricane-winter storm mix for East|publisher=Newser|accessdate=25 October 2012}}</ref>


==Impact== ==Impact==

Revision as of 00:07, 26 October 2012

Globe icon with a red clock.This article is about a current Hurricane Sandy where information can change quickly or be unreliable. The latest page updates may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Please refer to your local weather service or media outlets for the latest weather information pertaining to a specific location. Please help improve this article using reliable sources or help by discussing changes on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Hurricane Sandy
Current storm status
Category 2 hurricane (1-min mean)
Satellite image Forecast map
As of:8 p.m. EDT October 25 (0000 UTC October 26)
Location:24°48′N 75°48′W / 24.8°N 75.8°W / 24.8; -75.8 (Hurricane Sandy) ± 20 nm
About 35 mi (55 km) SE of Eleuthera
About 105 mi (170 km) E of Nassau, Bahamas
Sustained winds:85 knots (100 mph; 160 km/h) (1-min mean)
gusting to 110 knots (125 mph; 205 km/h)
Pressure:965 mbar (hPa; 28.50 inHg)
Movement:NNW at 15 kt (17 mph; 27 km/h)
See more detailed information.

Hurricane Sandy, dubbed Frankenstorm by the the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, is a late season tropical cyclone that is impacting Jamaica, Cuba, The Bahamas, Haiti and Florida, and may threaten the United States East Coast. The eighteenth tropical cyclone, eighteenth named storm, and tenth hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, Sandy developed from an elongated tropical wave in the western Caribbean Sea on October 22. It quickly strengthened after becoming a tropical depression and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Sandy six hours later. Sandy moved slowly northward toward the Greater Antilles and gradually strengthened. On October 24, Sandy was upgraded to a hurricane, shortly before making landfall in Jamaica. Upon moving further north, Sandy reentered water and made its second landfall in Cuba during the early morning hours on the next day, October 25 as a Category 2.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key Saffir–Simpson scale   Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown Storm type circle Tropical cyclone square Subtropical cyclone triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A tropical wave was moving westward through the eastern Caribbean Sea on October 19. It had an extended low pressure area, and conditions were expected to gradually become more favorable for development. On October 20, the system became better organized, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) assessed a high potential for it to become a tropical cyclone within 48 hours. By the next day, the associated convection, or thunderstorms, had become minimal, although barometric pressure in the area remained low, which favored development. The thunderstorms gradually increased, while the system slowed and became nearly stationary over the western Caribbean. At 1500 UTC on October 22, the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Eighteen about 320 mi (515 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica. This was based on surface observations and satellite imagery, which indicated the system had developed enough organized convection to be classified.

When the tropical depression formed, it was in an area of weak steering currents, located south of a ridge that extended eastward from the Gulf of Mexico. The system was in an area conducive for strengthening; this included low wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures, and there was a possibility for rapid deepening. Late on October 22, a Hurricane Hunters flight observed winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) in a rainband, which prompted the NHC to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Sandy. Outflow increased, while the convection organized further due to a moist atmosphere. Due to the favorable conditions, the NHC noted: "remaining nearly stationary over the warm waters of southwestern Caribbean Sea is never a good sign for this time of year." Despite the potential for significant intensification, the cloud pattern initially remained largely the same. Early on October 24, an eye began developing. By that time, Sandy was moving steadily northward, due to an approaching trough to its northwest. At 11:00 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on October 24, the NHC upgraded Sandy to hurricane status after the Hurricane Hunters observed flight-level winds of 99 mph (159 km/h). At the time, Sandy was located about 65 mi (105 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica. At about 3:00 p.m. EDT (1900 UTC) on October 24, Sandy made landfall near Kingston with winds of about 80 mph (130 km/h). Right before making landfall over Cuba, Sandy rapidly intensified into a Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph (175 km/h) winds. After its landfall the eye became less distinct, although it remained a strong Category 2 storm.

Current storm information

As of 8 p.m. EDT October 25 (0000 UTC October 26), Hurricane Sandy is located within 20 nautical miles of 24°48′N 75°48′W / 24.8°N 75.8°W / 24.8; -75.8 (Sandy), about 35 mi (55 km) southeast of Eleuthera; about 105 mi (170 km) east of Nassau, Bahamas. Maximum sustained winds are 85 knots (100 mph, 160 km/h), with stronger gusts. Minimum central pressure is 965 mbar (hPa; 28.50 InHg), and the system is moving north-northwest at 15 kt (17 mph, 27 km/h).

Hurricane force winds extend up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Sandy, and tropical storm force winds up to 205 miles (330 km) from the center.

For latest official information see:

Watches and warnings

Template:HurricaneWarningsTable

Preparation

Jamaica

Upon developing into a tropical cyclone on October 22, the Government of Jamaica issued a tropical storm watch for the entire island. Early on October 23, the watch was replaced with a tropical storm warning, simultaneous to a hurricane watch being issued. Later that day at 1500 UTC, the hurricane watch was upgraded to a hurricane warning, while the tropical storm warning was discontinued.

Haiti

Shortly after Jamaica began watches and warnings on October 22, the Government of Haiti issued a tropical storm watch for Haiti. By late on October 23, it was modified to a tropical storm warning.

Cuba

The Government of Cuba posted a hurricane watch for the Cuban Provinces of Camagüey, Granma, Guantánamo, Holguín, Las Tunas, and Santiago de Cuba at 1500 UTC on October 23. Only three hours later, the hurricane watch was switched to a hurricane warning.

The Bahamas

The Government of the Bahamas, at 1500 UTC on October 23, issued a tropical storm watch for several Bahamian islands, including the Acklins, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Exuma, Inagua, Long Cay, Long Island, Mayaguana, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador Island. Later that day, another tropical storm watch was issued for Abaco Islands, Andros Island, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, and New Providence. By early on October 24, the tropical storm watch for Cat Island, Exuma, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador was upgraded to a tropical storm warning.

United States

In Massachusetts, the state's emergency management agency has started issuing situational awareness news releases as some computer models show that Sandy could "potentially transition over the weekend into a powerful nor'easter." The five-day forecast from the National Hurricane Center predicts the center of the storm will travel along the east coast of the United States over the weekend.

A great deal of the upper U.S. East Coast has a good chance of receiving gale-force winds, flooding, heavy rain and maybe even snow early next week by an unusual hybrid of Hurricane Sandy and a winter storm.

Impact

Haiti

As Sandy formed in the southwestern Caribbean, heavy rainfall from the outer bands spread across the region. In southwestern Haiti, three people died trying to cross swollen rivers, including a man and two women from the town of Camp Perrin. Additional reports of significant damage to Port-Salut were received as rivers overflowed their banks.

In the capital Port-au-Prince, whole streets were flooded by the heavy rains. Most of the tents and buildings in the city's sprawling refugee camps and the Cite Soleil neighborhood were flooded or leaking, a repeat of what happened earlier in the year during the passage of Hurricane Isaac.

Jamaica

Sandy is the first direct hit by the eye of a hurricane on Jamaica since Hurricane Gilbert 24 years ago. The storm hit Jamaica as a category 1 hurricane. Extensive damage was reported on the island. Trees and power lines were snapped and shanty houses were heavily damaged, both from the winds and flooding rains. More than 100 fishermen were stranded in outlying Pedro Cays off Jamaica's southern coast. One man was crushed to death by stones that fell from a hillside as he tried to get into his house in a rural village near Kingston. The country's sole electricity provider, the Jamaica Public Service Company, reported that 70 percent of its customers were without power. Looters shot and wounded a police official as he led a group of officers through Craig Town a section of West Kingston. More than 1,000 people went to shelters, the Office of Disaster Preparedness said. Jamaican authorities closed the island's international airports and police ordered 48-hour curfews in major towns to keep people off the streets and deter looting. Cruise ships changed their itineraries to avoid the storm, which made landfall Wednesday afternoon near the capital, Kingston.

The day after the storm, government officials went on an aerial tour of the rural eastern areas of the island. Parliament member Daryl Vaz reported that most buildings had lost their roofs, in addition to widespread damage to banana crops. Approximately 70 percent of the island lost power because of Sandy, and schools in the Kingston area would likely remain closed for a week. Resorts in Montego Bay and Negril sustained no major damage, and cruise ship terminals reopened to vessels after a 24-hour suspension of services. Authorities warned that the extent of the damage is not clear, since some major roads remained impassable, and it would likely be weeks before life in most areas returned to normal.

Cuba

Hurricane Sandy strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane before hitting Cuba. At least 55,000 people had been evacuated principally because of expected flooding from rains that could total up to 20 inches (500 mm) in some places and a storm surge the Cuban weather service said was already beginning along the southeastern coast around midnight EDT. Sandy made landfall just west of Santiago de Cuba, the country’s second-largest city, as a strong Category 2 hurricane, with the strong eastern eyewall going directly over the city. The eye of the storm came ashore just west of the city with waves up to 29 feet (9 meters) and a six-foot (2 meter) storm surge that caused extensive coastal flooding.

Reports from the area after the passage of Sandy spoke of widespread damage, particularly to Santiago de Cuba. Electricity and water services had been knocked down, and most of the trees in the city had either been ripped off their roots or had lost all their leaves. A local TV reporter told Cuban state television that many of the city's 300,000 homes were reportedly in bad shape before the storm and were left vulnerable to high winds and heavy rain. Several Cuban provinces promised to send brigades to help Santiago recover, although officials gave a long list of other towns that suffered devastation. Guantanamo followed a similar fate to Santiago, with television showing telephone poles and cables down across the city. Several historic buildings in the center of town were reportedly damaged, although the extent of it is unknown. State media has said at least 1 person in Cuba was killed as a result of the storm, and Raul Castro planned to visit Santiago de Cuba in the coming days.

Damage to the U.S. Guantanamo Bay Naval Base was not as severe, as the highest sustained winds were below hurricane strength at 54 mph, with a maximum gust of 66 mph. The storm damaged roofs and windows in a few older buildings, and tore some of the power cables within the facility. Several recreational boats broke off their moorings, but there was no damage to the prison, according to Navy Capt. Robert Durand.

See also

References

  1. James Cisco (October 25, 2012). "Extended Forecast Discussion: High Impact Merging of Energetic Systems Anticipated off the Mid Atlantic Coast". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  2. Todd Kimberlain (2012-10-19). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  3. Stacy Stewart (2012-10-19). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  4. Eric Blake (2012-10-20). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  5. Jack Beven (2012-10-21). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  6. Robbie Berg (2012-10-21). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  7. Stacy Stewart (2012-10-22). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  8. ^ Robbie Berg; Lixion Avila (2012-10-22). Tropical Depression Eighteen Discussion Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  9. Richard Pasch (2012-10-22). Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 2 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  10. Stacy Stewart (2012-10-23). Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 3 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  11. Daniel Brown (2012-10-23). Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 4 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  12. Jack Beven (2012-10-24). Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 7 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  13. Michael Brennan (2012-10-24). Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 9 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  14. Todd Kimberlain; James Franklin (2002-10-24). Hurricane Sandy Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  15. ^ Stewart, Stacy (October 25, 2012). "October 25 12:30 a.m. EDT (0430 UTC) Update". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  16. Robbie Berg; Lixion Avila (2012-10-22). Tropical Depression Eighteen Advisory Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. Daniel Brown (2012-10-23). Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 4 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  18. ^ Richard Pasch (2012-10-23). Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 5 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  19. Richard Pasch (2012-10-22). Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 2 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  20. Richard Pasch (2012-10-23). Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 5A (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  21. ^ Richard Pasch (2012-10-23). Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 6 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  22. John Beven II (2012-10-24). Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 7 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  23. "Hurricane Sandy kills one in Jamaica". CNN. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  24. "Trick, no treat: Forecasters predict pre-Halloween freak hurricane-winter storm mix for East". Newser. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  25. "Soggy Jamaica cleaning up after Hurricane Sandy". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  26. "Hurricane Sandy pounds Jamaica, eyes U.S." CBS. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  27. "Soggy Jamaica cleaning up after Hurricane Sandy". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  28. "HURRICANE SANDY POUNDS JAMAICA, THEN AIMS AT CUBA". AP. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  29. "Hurricane Sandy Brings Heavy Flooding To Jamaica". Skynews. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  30. "Hurricane Sandy pounds Jamaica, heads toward Cuba". Reuters. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  31. "Soggy Jamaica cleaning up after Hurricane Sandy". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  32. "Hurricane Sandy growing stronger as it nears Cuba". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  33. "Sandy makes landfall, becomes a Category 2 Hurricane". CNN. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  34. Stacy Stewart and Dave Roberts (October 25, 2012). "Hurricane Sandy Update October 25 1:30 a.m. (0530 UTC)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  35. "Strengthening Hurricane Sandy slams into Cuba". Reuters. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  36. "Hurricane Sandy leaves trail of destruction in Cuba". Trust.org via Reuters. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  37. "Guantanamo base cleans up after Sandy". KY Post. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
Tropical cyclones of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season
TSAlberto TSBeryl 1Chris TSDebby 2Ernesto TSFlorence 2Gordon TSHelene 1Isaac TSJoyce 2Kirk 1Leslie 3Michael 1Nadine TSOscar TSPatty 1Rafael 3Sandy (history) TSTony
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