Superstorm Forecast To Slam The Huntington Area

Update:  At 5 A.M. the center of Hurricane Sandy is located about 260 miles South Southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Maximum sustained are 75 mph with higher gusts.  The storm is moving northeast at 13 mph. The minimum central pressure is 960 millibars or 28.35 inches.

The latest satellite image:

Credit: NOAA

A Superstorm is forecasted to impact the area beginning Sunday afternoon. The storm is anticipated to be a long duration event.  Impacts may still be felt through Wednesday.  The Storm is considered a rare anomaly and will be studied for years to come.  The closest analogy regarding the pending storm would be the October 1991 storm also known as the “Perfect Storm”. In the case of Sandy the storm will retrograde or hook back towards Long Island and the New Jersey coastline. A blocking pattern over the North Atlantic Ocean will prevent Sandy from escaping harmlessly out to sea. At the same time a strong cold front is moving eastward from the midwest and will combine with the storm along the eastern seaboard.  These are some of the factors that will influence the storms strength and direction.

As of 8 A.M. Hurricane Sandy is spinning off of the Florida coast about 335 miles southeast of Charleston South Carolina.  The maximum sustained winds were 75 mph.  The storm is moving North Northeast at 10 mph and the pressure is 960 millibars or 28.35″.

Credit: NOAA

At this time most computer models are showing the storm will make landfall on the New Jersey coastline. This would put Huntington in the northern and eastern side of the storm.  Forecasters state that the northern side will be the most severe part of the storm in terms of wind damage and coastal flooding.  Rainfall is forecasted to be most intense over New Jersey and points southward.

Credit:NOAA

Potential impacts to the Huntington area include:

Wind: Winds may increase to 40 to 50 mph during the worst of the storm during the Monday and Monday Night timeframe with gusts of 60 to 80 mph possible.  This will cause extensive tree damage and prolonged power outages.

Rainfall: Rainfall totals could be in the 3-4 inch range for the storm duration.  Much higher amounts are expected to the south of Long Island.

Coastal Flooding:  Coastal flooding may be significant.  A combination of a prolonged period of strong easterly winds will pile water up in the local harbors and bays. Also Monday and Tuesday’s high tide cycle are expected to run 2-3 feet above normal due to the full moon which will exacerbate an already severe situation.

Updates will be provided as the storm progresses.