Revisiting Hurricanne Sandy and its Devastation
Hurricane Sandy refers to the hurricane which destroyed some parts of the Mid Atlantic, Caribbean, the North Eastern parts of the United States, as well as the Eastern parts of Canada as the month of October was coming to an end in the year 2012. During the Atlantic hurricane season of the year 2012, Sandy is the tenth hurricane and the eighteenth storm. When the intensity of the storm was at its highest, the storm was considered to be falling in category 2. Despite the fact that the storm fell in category 1 when it went off United State’s North Eastern side, it was considered to be the greatest Atlantic hurricane to be ever recorded.
When the Hurricane ravaged through the Mid Atlantic, Caribbean, city of New York and the Eastern parts of Canada in October 29, 2012, thousands upon thousands of people were devastated. This is because, their homes were destroyed, power was damaged and many had no access to other basic life necessities such as power, heat, food or water. Those who were most affected were in the category of low income earners, black people and the elderly, people who were deemed to be more vulnerable. The effects of the Hurricane Sandy on this vulnerable group of people should make us learn from these experiences and therefore take affirmative action in preventing such ramifications in future.
When estimations are made, Sandy may have damaged property whose value is not less than $20 billion. The preliminary estimates of losses that include business interruption surpass $50 billion (USD),behind the Hurricane Katrina. At least 199 people were killed on the path of the storm in seven nations.
Sandy hurricane was as a result of a tropical wave within the western side of Caribbean Sea and it took place in the month of October. After six hours, it rapidly strengthened and advanced to Sandy tropical Storm. Thereafter, it slowly advanced towards the northward sides in the direction of Greater Antilles after which it steadily intensified. On 24 of the month of October, it developed into a hurricane. It resulted into a landfall adjacent to Kingston, in Jamaica and after some few hours, it re-appeared in Caribbean Sea, advancing into a hurricane in Category 2. In 25 October, it hit Cuba. After this, it softened to Category 1. Very early in the morning of 26 October, Sandy hurricane moved via the Bahamas. In October 27, it weakened shortly to form a tropical storm. Thereafter, it re-strengthened into Category 1. In early October 29, it curved in the north-northwest direction and thereafter, it moved on shore next to Atlantic City in New Jersey. Shortly after that, the storm was referred to as "Super-storm Sandy".
Within-Jamaica, winds from the hurricane interfered with electricity since it affected 70% of residents. Besides, it interfered with buildings by blowing off the roofs. It also killed one person. The damage that was caused by Sandy is estimated to be approximately $55.23 million. Within Haiti, the outer bands of Sandy resulted into flooding which killed not less than 54 individuals. Besides, it resulted into shortages of food and approximately 200,000 individuals were left homeless. Within the Dominican Republic, about two people lost their lives. Within Puerto Rico, a river that was swollen swept away one person. Within Cuba, there occurred an widespread coastal flooding. Besides, winds damaged the inland parts by destroying about 15,000 homes. It also killed 11 people. The damages that were caused amounted to approximately $2 billion. Within the Bahamas, it resulted into the death of two people and besides, it resulted into a damage of approximately $300 million.
Within the U. S, not less than States were affected by Hurricane Sandy, from Maine toFlorida, Wisconsin and Michigan. The hurricane severely damaged New Jerseys well as New York. On October 29, it severely hit the city of New York through severe flooding of the tunnels, streets, as well as the subway lines. Besides, it cut power within the city as well as its environs
Hurricane Sandy started as a system of low pressure and later, it developed into a sufficiently organized convection. During this time, it was referred to as tropical depression in Kingston, Jamaica on 22 October. At first, it moved slowly because of the presence of a ridge. Very early on 24 October, an eye commenced to develop. It steadily moved northwards because of a trough that was approaching very late on that day, Sandy was upgraded to a hurricane status by the NHC. During that day, at around 1900 UTC, Sandy resulted into a landfall adjacent to Kingston. It was accompanied by winds which were moving at of approximately130 km/h. In Cuba, the winds moved at about 175 km/h. At this rate, it resulted into landfall in the western parts of Santiago de Cuba.
After the existence of Sandy in Cuba, it got a disorganized. Besides, it moved towards the north-north-western side over Bahamas. As the month of October was coming to an end, hurricane Sandy was not fully tropical and in spite of its strong shear, it remained convection because of the effects from the approaching trough. It is the same trough that made the hurricane to turn into the north-eastern sides. After hurricane Sandy briefly weakened into a tropical storm, it later on re-intensified to result into a hurricane. Again, in 28 October, an eye commenced to redevelop. It moved over United States’ Eastern side as well as towards the south-western side of the ridge across Atlanta Canada and making it to turn it towards the north-western side.Hurricane Sandy attained a peak of about km/h on 29 October. Around this time, its wind had a diameter of more than a thousand nautical miles which is about 1,850 km. During this time, the convection reduced as the hurricane increased in speed towards the coast of New Jersey. As 2300 UTC was approaching on 29 October, the hurricane ceased to be tropical. After about one hour later, hurricane Sandy created a landfall approximately 5 miles of Atlantic City. At this time, with winds moved at around 150 km/h. The remains became weak over Pennsylvania and this degenerated into a relic trough on 31 October.
