Hurricane Sandy Research Paper
Hurricane Sandy
Oct.29.2013
Sandy—A Record Breaking Natural Calamity
Hurricane Sandy was one of the most devastating natural calamities of the region, in general. It affected incredible band of the Atlantic from Jamaica and Haiti to Canada. The storm caused countless casualties, damaged property and disrupted power for many days in some of the most developed and densely populated cities of the US. Despite all preparations and warnings from the concerned departments of the U.S., Hurricane Sandy caused havoc which the present American generation may have never seen before. Due to the irreparable damage to life by Sandy, it will be remembered for a long time as a natural calamity which shook the very fabric of life in the cities hit …show more content…
by it. This essay will argue how the disaster caused by Sandy virtually suspended life and all affairs of daily routine for many days, despite uninterrupted rescue efforts. caused heavy death toll, damage to property and financial losses.
In late October, Hurricane Sandy, a post-tropical late-season cyclone, rose and swept through the Caribbean and also up the Eastern Coast of the United States.
The storm ended up leaving dozens dead, countless homeless and thousands without power. The overall damage is estimated to be way beyond billions of dollars. “The confirmed deaths include 42 in New York; 12 in New Jersey; nine in Maryland; six in Pennsylvania; five in West Virginia; four in Connecticut; two in Virginia; and one in North Carolina” (Sharp). “The total death toll reached 285, including at least 125 deaths in the United States” (11 Facts About Hurricane Sandy). “Most were over the age of 65. Most deaths were from drowning” (Daniel). Initially, as Sandy didn’t look like a very frightening hurricane, some called it an average storm. At its early stages, it was a mere tropical wave appearing in the Caribbean but dramatically turned into a horrendous tropical storm within a short time-span of mere six hours. On October 24, Sandy was officially regarded as a hurricane when it started touching the frightening landmark of 74 mph. The National Hurricane Center of the US reported that Sandy winds extended up to 820 miles at their …show more content…
peak.
Sandy proved incredibly destructive in terms of financial losses as well and it has been estimated that the US faced loss of about $62 billion and the Caribbean about $128 million. This also ranked Hurricane Sandy as the most expensive natural calamity for the US since Hurricane Katrina which had led to an overall loss of $128 billion. In the United States, the most impacted city was New York as its roadway’s, tunnels and subways were damaged and submerged badly. Along with New York, New Jersey also bore the lethal impact of this storm as both the cities had to face storm surges of about 13 feet above average low tide. Hurricane Sandy exhibited its fury by leaving at least 7.5 million without power for many days. The US government has reaffirmed to strengthen its efforts and pre-emptive planning to cope with such disasters in future. The overall havoc that Sandy caused must have left the victims shocked and bewildered because of such nightmarish behavior of a storm—otherwise enjoyable when at sea and at moderate levels of fury and might.
Immediately after the storm hit and began to destroy life and property, NGOs and governmental organizations started their rescue and repair work. This work demanded heavy efforts to rebuild and put things back on the normal track of life. Federal and local jurisdictions came into action for the rehabilitation of the affected and simultaneously policies were revisited to mould and improve the established system of proactive procedures. Sandy ranked as the 10th most destructive hurricane of the year 2012 Atlantic ocean. It finally was labeled as “Frankenstorm”, “Snor-eastercane” and “Blizzacane”. The official name given to it by the National Hurricane Center is “Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy”. Considering the unexpected havoc and wrath of Hurricane Sandy, it was labeled “Superstorm Sandy” as soon as the hurricane made landfall. The survivors of this disaster have reportedly said they felt stranded forever while the storm was in full swing and though the rescue was on its way. Hope was finding it hard to grow back as the storm became more and more powerful.
Through its regional offices in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston and New York City, the Federal Emergency Management Agency observed Sandy, coordinating tribal and state emergency management partners in the Southeast, Florida, New England and Mid-Atlantic states.
US President Baracke Obama had to sign emergency declarations on 28th October 2013 for many states anticipated to be impacted by the hurricane. This let them request federal aid resulting in additional preparations prior to the storm. Travel alerts and flight cancellations on the U.S. East Coast had to be put in place in the New England and the Mid-Atlantic region. It is estimated that about 5,000 commercial flights had to be cancelled on October 28 and 29. The storm also called for the deployment of almost 45,000 U.S. Air Force and National Guard personnel in as many as seven states. The personnel were put on high alert for any possible rescue duties in response to the expected aftermath of Hurricane
Sandy.
Sandy was not contented with playing havoc in the U.S as it also gripped Canada. For many days, Hurricane Sandy kept tightening its stranglehold on Canada as well. The anticipation was already there as Sandy had already shown what it could do by causing immeasurable life and property in the U.S. The Canadian Hurricane Centre issued the initial warning of strong winds and heavy rains due to Hurricane Sandy on 25th October 2013 from the Canadian Maritimes to Southern Ontario. On 29 October, Environment Canada had to issue potentially dangerous wind warnings for St. Lawrence Valley corridor and the Great Lakes, all the way from Southwestern Ontario to Quebec City. One day after these warnings, the same Canadian environment center came up with the warnings of storm surge.
Overall, the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada were badly affected by Sandy. Roughly estimated 24 U.S. states were affected one way or the other as the hurricane damaged thousands of homes and rendered numberless people homeless. Hurricane Sandy gave rise to considerable political debates and commentary. Coincidentally, the storm hit the U.S. states merely one week before the country’s general elections and impacted the presidential campaign, local and state campaigns especially in the storm-damaged states. Mitt Romney’s strong and prominent supporter, Chris Christie, the New Jersey Governor, couldn’t help praising Barack Obama’s efforts for the rescue of the storm victims. At the time of the storm, it was also feared that Sandy might disturb and affect the voting in the states hit by the storm. Though conservatives and liberals kept accusing each other of politicizing this natural calamity, some news channels termed the storm as the October surprise for the US presidential elections.
Media played a crucial role in raising awareness about the storm, its aftermath and creating hope for a better tomorrow. Journalists and forecasters attributed several different characteristics and names to the storm as it approached and hit the U.S. They first related to the projected snow content of Sandy, then to its proximity to Halloween, and finally to its overall volume and intensity. Some of the early nicknames for Sandy, coined in the media, were “Snor’eastercane Sandy” and “Snowicane Sandy”. The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center forecaster, Jim Cisco, coined the most famous Halloween-related nickname, “Frankenstorm”.
On 25th October 2013, the American Red Cross motivated New Yorkers to follow simple steps and take basic precautionary measures to get ready and be prepared to handle any unexpected incidents ensuing Sandy. New Yorkers were told and encouraged to download and use the free Red Cross Hurricane App which was meant for mobile devices to ensure real time storm safety information. This app was supposed to be used for receiving weather alerts and information on Red Cross shelters. The organization kept moving ahead with its multi-state response in order to help out the millions trapped in the storm. Most of the relief supplies included blankets, cots, snacks and ready to eat meals.
Sandy has given rise to several key questions related to building in precarious coastal areas. It also invites more thoughtful discussions to create concern about future storms. Especially, immediately after it hit the U.S., Sandy triggered the issue of mandatory evacuation. Precautionary measures like storm surge barriers have also started to become a subject-matter for talks focusing Sandy and such natural disasters so that with the help storm surge barriers, vulnerable cities may be protected efficiently in future.
Works Cited
“11 Facts About Hurricane Sandy.” Dosomething. N.p. n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2013. .
Daniel, Matt. “Who died during Hurricane Sandy, and why?” Earthsky. N.p.
27 Nov. 2012. Web. 25 Oct. 2013. .
Sharp, Tim. “Superstorm Sandy: Facts About the Frankenstorm.” Livescience. Livescience Reference Editor, 27 Nov. 2012. Web. 25 Oct. 2013. .
Oct.29.2013
Sandy—A Record Breaking Natural Calamity
Hurricane Sandy was one of the most devastating natural calamities of the region, in general. It affected incredible band of the Atlantic from Jamaica and Haiti to Canada. The storm caused countless casualties, damaged property and disrupted power for many days in some of the most developed and densely populated cities of the US. Despite all preparations and warnings from the concerned departments of the U.S., Hurricane Sandy caused havoc which the present American generation may have never seen before. Due to the irreparable damage to life by Sandy, it will be remembered for a long time as a natural calamity which shook the very fabric of life in the cities hit …show more content…
by it. This essay will argue how the disaster caused by Sandy virtually suspended life and all affairs of daily routine for many days, despite uninterrupted rescue efforts. caused heavy death toll, damage to property and financial losses.
In late October, Hurricane Sandy, a post-tropical late-season cyclone, rose and swept through the Caribbean and also up the Eastern Coast of the United States.
The storm ended up leaving dozens dead, countless homeless and thousands without power. The overall damage is estimated to be way beyond billions of dollars. “The confirmed deaths include 42 in New York; 12 in New Jersey; nine in Maryland; six in Pennsylvania; five in West Virginia; four in Connecticut; two in Virginia; and one in North Carolina” (Sharp). “The total death toll reached 285, including at least 125 deaths in the United States” (11 Facts About Hurricane Sandy). “Most were over the age of 65. Most deaths were from drowning” (Daniel). Initially, as Sandy didn’t look like a very frightening hurricane, some called it an average storm. At its early stages, it was a mere tropical wave appearing in the Caribbean but dramatically turned into a horrendous tropical storm within a short time-span of mere six hours. On October 24, Sandy was officially regarded as a hurricane when it started touching the frightening landmark of 74 mph. The National Hurricane Center of the US reported that Sandy winds extended up to 820 miles at their …show more content…
peak.
Sandy proved incredibly destructive in terms of financial losses as well and it has been estimated that the US faced loss of about $62 billion and the Caribbean about $128 million. This also ranked Hurricane Sandy as the most expensive natural calamity for the US since Hurricane Katrina which had led to an overall loss of $128 billion. In the United States, the most impacted city was New York as its roadway’s, tunnels and subways were damaged and submerged badly. Along with New York, New Jersey also bore the lethal impact of this storm as both the cities had to face storm surges of about 13 feet above average low tide. Hurricane Sandy exhibited its fury by leaving at least 7.5 million without power for many days. The US government has reaffirmed to strengthen its efforts and pre-emptive planning to cope with such disasters in future. The overall havoc that Sandy caused must have left the victims shocked and bewildered because of such nightmarish behavior of a storm—otherwise enjoyable when at sea and at moderate levels of fury and might.
Immediately after the storm hit and began to destroy life and property, NGOs and governmental organizations started their rescue and repair work. This work demanded heavy efforts to rebuild and put things back on the normal track of life. Federal and local jurisdictions came into action for the rehabilitation of the affected and simultaneously policies were revisited to mould and improve the established system of proactive procedures. Sandy ranked as the 10th most destructive hurricane of the year 2012 Atlantic ocean. It finally was labeled as “Frankenstorm”, “Snor-eastercane” and “Blizzacane”. The official name given to it by the National Hurricane Center is “Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy”. Considering the unexpected havoc and wrath of Hurricane Sandy, it was labeled “Superstorm Sandy” as soon as the hurricane made landfall. The survivors of this disaster have reportedly said they felt stranded forever while the storm was in full swing and though the rescue was on its way. Hope was finding it hard to grow back as the storm became more and more powerful.
Through its regional offices in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston and New York City, the Federal Emergency Management Agency observed Sandy, coordinating tribal and state emergency management partners in the Southeast, Florida, New England and Mid-Atlantic states.
US President Baracke Obama had to sign emergency declarations on 28th October 2013 for many states anticipated to be impacted by the hurricane. This let them request federal aid resulting in additional preparations prior to the storm. Travel alerts and flight cancellations on the U.S. East Coast had to be put in place in the New England and the Mid-Atlantic region. It is estimated that about 5,000 commercial flights had to be cancelled on October 28 and 29. The storm also called for the deployment of almost 45,000 U.S. Air Force and National Guard personnel in as many as seven states. The personnel were put on high alert for any possible rescue duties in response to the expected aftermath of Hurricane
Sandy.
Sandy was not contented with playing havoc in the U.S as it also gripped Canada. For many days, Hurricane Sandy kept tightening its stranglehold on Canada as well. The anticipation was already there as Sandy had already shown what it could do by causing immeasurable life and property in the U.S. The Canadian Hurricane Centre issued the initial warning of strong winds and heavy rains due to Hurricane Sandy on 25th October 2013 from the Canadian Maritimes to Southern Ontario. On 29 October, Environment Canada had to issue potentially dangerous wind warnings for St. Lawrence Valley corridor and the Great Lakes, all the way from Southwestern Ontario to Quebec City. One day after these warnings, the same Canadian environment center came up with the warnings of storm surge.
Overall, the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada were badly affected by Sandy. Roughly estimated 24 U.S. states were affected one way or the other as the hurricane damaged thousands of homes and rendered numberless people homeless. Hurricane Sandy gave rise to considerable political debates and commentary. Coincidentally, the storm hit the U.S. states merely one week before the country’s general elections and impacted the presidential campaign, local and state campaigns especially in the storm-damaged states. Mitt Romney’s strong and prominent supporter, Chris Christie, the New Jersey Governor, couldn’t help praising Barack Obama’s efforts for the rescue of the storm victims. At the time of the storm, it was also feared that Sandy might disturb and affect the voting in the states hit by the storm. Though conservatives and liberals kept accusing each other of politicizing this natural calamity, some news channels termed the storm as the October surprise for the US presidential elections.
Media played a crucial role in raising awareness about the storm, its aftermath and creating hope for a better tomorrow. Journalists and forecasters attributed several different characteristics and names to the storm as it approached and hit the U.S. They first related to the projected snow content of Sandy, then to its proximity to Halloween, and finally to its overall volume and intensity. Some of the early nicknames for Sandy, coined in the media, were “Snor’eastercane Sandy” and “Snowicane Sandy”. The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center forecaster, Jim Cisco, coined the most famous Halloween-related nickname, “Frankenstorm”.
On 25th October 2013, the American Red Cross motivated New Yorkers to follow simple steps and take basic precautionary measures to get ready and be prepared to handle any unexpected incidents ensuing Sandy. New Yorkers were told and encouraged to download and use the free Red Cross Hurricane App which was meant for mobile devices to ensure real time storm safety information. This app was supposed to be used for receiving weather alerts and information on Red Cross shelters. The organization kept moving ahead with its multi-state response in order to help out the millions trapped in the storm. Most of the relief supplies included blankets, cots, snacks and ready to eat meals.
Sandy has given rise to several key questions related to building in precarious coastal areas. It also invites more thoughtful discussions to create concern about future storms. Especially, immediately after it hit the U.S., Sandy triggered the issue of mandatory evacuation. Precautionary measures like storm surge barriers have also started to become a subject-matter for talks focusing Sandy and such natural disasters so that with the help storm surge barriers, vulnerable cities may be protected efficiently in future.
Works Cited
“11 Facts About Hurricane Sandy.” Dosomething. N.p. n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2013. .
Daniel, Matt. “Who died during Hurricane Sandy, and why?” Earthsky. N.p.
27 Nov. 2012. Web. 25 Oct. 2013. .
Sharp, Tim. “Superstorm Sandy: Facts About the Frankenstorm.” Livescience. Livescience Reference Editor, 27 Nov. 2012. Web. 25 Oct. 2013. .