Hurricane Sandy Flashcards
Hurricane Sandy basic facts?
Date
Speed - Start, Peak and USA Landfall
Size
Hit the USA at New Jersey on 29 October 2012.
Began south of Jamaica with sustained wind speeds of over 160km/h.
Peak Wind speed at 185km/h - Category 3.
Wind speeds still in excess of 140km/h when it hit the USA.
Largest Atlantic storm on record at 1,500 km diameter.
How was Hurricane Sandy’s formation unusual?
It merged with another weather system from the west to form a more powerful storm no longer fuelled by the warm ocean but by the pressure contrasts associated with a merged weather system.
Jamaica impacts?
1
70% of population without electricity due to strong winds.
Haiti impacts?
1
50 killed and 200,000 homeless.
Cuba impacts?
2
Strong winds and extensive flooding.
11 killed and 15,000 homes destroyed.
USA impacts?
4
Strong winds, torrential rainfall and storm surges.
Thousands of homes were destroyed.
160 killed across 24 states.
Low lying parts of NY were flooded as streets, subways and tunnels were flooded and electricity was cut off to thousands of properties.
Overall impacts?
2
233 killed.
Damages at US$75 billion, USA’s 2nd most costly after hurricane Katrina because it reached northern USA that wasn’t prepared for a tropical storm.
Responses made just before the storm hit - Jamaica
3
Schools and govt buildings were closed.
People spent time reinforcing roofs and stocking up on provisions.
Kingston airport was closed.
Responses made just before the storm hit - USA
4
Power companies hired additional contractors in preparation to repair power lines and restore electricity.
The Federal Govt signed emergency declarations to ensure aid was available to all affected areas.
National Guard and US Air Force were put on alert.
On the eastern coast schools were closed and hurricane centres opened.
Immediate responses?
4
Provision of food, water and shelter.
The UN and World Food Programme sent relief supplies for 500,000 people.
The American Red Cross supplied over 4,000 volunteers to help affected areas.
The NY Federal Govt provided emergency supplies of petrol to its citizens.
Long term responses?
4
Several agencies in the USA raised money for the victims.
A telethon in November raised over US$20 million and a ‘Day of Giving’ promoted by Disney-ABC Television Group raised another US$17 million.
In January 2013 the US Govt approved a relief aid package worth over US$50 billion to aid recovery.
Stricter building regulations imposed in some areas due to a US Army Corps of Engineers survey on the provision of flood defences.
Long Term Responses - Shortfalls
1
Despite support, over 1 year later less than half of those who requested support had actually received any and 30,000 NY and New Jersey citizens remained displaced.
How did the Hurricane have political impacts?
2
The storm hit just 1 week before an election and raised discussions on the issues of climate change on hurricane frequency and severity.
There were also more discussions on the Federal Agencies emergency response and relief provision.
