Hurricane Sandy

Satellite image of Hurricane Sandy’s path from Monday Oct. 22 to Wednesday Oct 24, 2012

Hurricane Sandy developed on Oct 22, 2012 in the Atlantic Ocean. Sandy started off as a tropical storm and formed in to a category 1 hurricane. Sandy, who was about to make landfall along Jamaica’s southeast coastline on Oct 24, has been predicted by forecasters to eventually hug the East Coast and possible even make landfall in the Northeast. That scenario is likely to play out if the jet stream curves back and allows for it to happen. If that happens the Northeast would likely see 10-12 inches of rainfall along the Eastern Seaboard. While Sandy was located 30 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, it was moving north at 14 mph and winds as fast as 80 mph. Jamaican schools were closed and shelters were opened to residents of flood-prone areas ahead of the potential landfall. Satellite radar showed that Sandy was on a projected path to cut through the middle of Jamaica, near Kingston, then the north coast of Ocho Rios and finally passing over eastern Cuba before losing strength as it reaches the Bahamas. If that happens Sandy could dump 6-12 inches of rain on these areas, and some up to 20. These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in areas of mountainous terrain.

 

 

This is an image of waves crashing into Kingston, Jamaica from Hurricane Sandy on Wednesday Oct. 24, 2012.

Sandy is considered a small hurricane but the geography, location, and population density of these places make them vulnerable. Adaptation such as weather forecasting and early warnings, along with protection measures such as flood management and shelter areas will help prevent this natural hazard from becoming a disaster.

Article and Image Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/49533577/ns/weather/