Hurricane Sandy 2012 - Storm Hazards

Question 1

Where did the hurricane start?

Answer 1

Started in the Caribbean Sea and developed at the Gulf of Mexico but hit New York and New Jersey plus 22 other states on 29th October 2012. Also affected Jamaica, parts of Canada, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba and the Bahamas.

Question 2

What was the cause the the hurricane?

Answer 2

It was caused by the energy created by the warm oceans of the Caribbean.

Question 3

What were the environmental impacts of this hurricane?

Answer 3

• Bought winds of 100mph (wind diameter of 1,100 miles) and there was widespread flooding
• The storm surge flooded large parts of lower Manhattan including subways and tunnels which caused mass power outages
• Destroyed thousands of homes and businesses

Question 4

What were the economic impacts of this hurricane?

Answer 4

• Loss of income as businesses e.g. Stock Exchange was closed
• This massive hurricane proved one of the costliest ever to affect the USA with damages topping $71.4 billion with $18 billion losses and damages just in New York

Question 5

What were the social impacts of this hurricane?

Answer 5

• All infrastructure was closed
• 285 people were killed either directly or indirectly along the path of the storm in 8 countries (53 from New York)
• Damages to 100,000 homes ( Long Island)

Question 6

What were the political impacts of this hurricane?

Answer 6

• President Obama signed an emergency declaration for states affected by Sandy to enable them to request federal aid (emergency aid)
• National Guard and US Airforce put as many as 45,000 personnel in at least 7 states on alert for possible duty

Question 7

What were the short term responses of this hurricane?

Answer 7

• Storm surge barrier was put in to stop flooding on the electricals
• Hospitals trying to clear as many beds as they could to be ready for the huge
  influx of casualties
• Underground was shut the day after the disaster (30th)
  -The American Red Cross announced they had 4000 disaster workers

Question 8

What were the long term responses of this hurricane?

Answer 8

• Celebrities raised millions for Hurricane Sandy relief
• December 7th Obama issued and executive order establishing the Hurricane Sandy rebuilding task force
• January 28th 2013 the senate passed a massive $50.5 billion relief bill for the hurricane