Hurricane Sandy

Definition

Hurricane Sandy was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that occurred in late October 2012, causing significant damage across the Caribbean and the eastern United States. Known for its large size and high impact, Sandy exemplifies the features of hurricane structure, including its eye, eyewall, and rainbands, and serves as a critical case study in understanding hurricane intensity classification.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hurricane Sandy reached its peak intensity as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph before weakening as it approached land.
2. The storm caused widespread devastation, particularly in New Jersey and New York, leading to over $70 billion in damages and impacting millions of people.
3. Sandy's unique path combined the characteristics of both tropical storms and extratropical systems, making it one of the largest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic basin.
4. The storm brought significant storm surges that led to severe flooding, particularly in coastal areas and low-lying regions.
5. Sandy's impact was not only immediate but also long-lasting, affecting infrastructure, economy, and emergency management policies in the U.S.

Review Questions

• How does Hurricane Sandy illustrate the key components of hurricane structure and intensity classification?
  • Hurricane Sandy showcases important aspects of hurricane structure such as its well-defined eye, the intense eyewall featuring the strongest winds, and extensive rainbands that caused heavy precipitation. In terms of intensity classification, it peaked at Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale, demonstrating how wind speed correlates with potential damage. Understanding Sandy's structure helps to analyze its impacts more effectively and draw lessons for future hurricane preparedness.
• Evaluate the consequences of Hurricane Sandy on urban infrastructure in affected regions.
  • Hurricane Sandy resulted in extensive damage to urban infrastructure, particularly in New York City and New Jersey. Flooding from storm surges compromised transportation systems, disrupted power supplies, and damaged homes and businesses. The aftermath necessitated a reevaluation of building codes and emergency response plans, emphasizing the need for resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding similar future events.
• Synthesize the long-term implications of Hurricane Sandy for hurricane forecasting and disaster response strategies.
  • The long-term implications of Hurricane Sandy have significantly influenced hurricane forecasting techniques and disaster response strategies. The storm highlighted the importance of accurate predictions regarding storm surge potential and emphasized the need for improved communication between meteorologists and local authorities. Additionally, Sandy's impacts prompted a rethinking of emergency management policies, prioritizing community preparedness and resilience against future storms while considering climate change factors.

Related terms

Saffir-Simpson Scale:

A classification system that ranks hurricanes from Category 1 to Category 5 based on sustained wind speeds and potential damage.

Storm Surge: An abnormal rise in seawater level caused by strong winds and low atmospheric pressure associated with hurricanes, leading to coastal flooding.

Post-Tropical Cyclone: A term used to describe a storm that has lost its tropical characteristics but still retains some strong winds and impacts, as Hurricane Sandy did after making landfall.