Hurricane sandy update virginia beach

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley expects early voting to be rescheduled for Friday. Broadway performances have been called off tonight as well as Louis C.

Philadelphia bridges will also be shut down at 65mph. In this particular case, John Marino of Merrick, N. Because they are going to be providing you with the best advice in terms of to how to deal with this storm in the coming days. Obama added, "My message to the governors, as well as to the mayors - anything they need, we will be there. And we're gonna cut through red tape, we're not gonna get bogged down with a lot of rules, we want to make sure that we're anticipating and leaning forward into making sure that we've got the best possible response for what is going to be a big and messy system.

Chris Christie just wrapped his press conference. He urged people to be prepared, but also told people not to panic. In fact, he told people to watch the Jets game. The campaign announced today it was proceeding with President Obama's planned rallies in Cincinnati and Akron, Ohio, on Wednesday. Aides are exceedingly confident the storm will not impact early voting or their get-out-the-vote efforts. Other carriers are also expected to announce similar suspensions of service. Because Sandy is thousands of miles wide, the storm's powerful effects will be felt all the way to Maine and include strong winds and flooding rainfall.

Coastal flooding a very serious concern along the coasts especially in the vicinity of New York City and Raritan Bay, according to the Weather Channel.

Washington, D. Because Sandy is coming from the south, the conditions will deteriorate from south to north, with Washington, D. In the Nation's Capital, a flood watch was already posted along the D. Rainfall will depend on the speed and track of the storm, but heavy rainfall can flood rivers and streams through the rest of the week.

Like the heavy rainfall, damaging winds of tropical-storm-force are expected over the same period. Tropical-storm-force winds range between 37 mph and 73 mph. In addition, coastal flooding is a serious concern because of the easterly winds pushing the ocean waters against the shoreline, and this is coupled with higher than normal tides by the current full moon. EDT and gathered data on rainfall and cloud heights, revealing the power within this monster storm.

The higher the thunderstorms that make up a tropical cyclone, the stronger the overall storm, and the heavier the rainfall in those areas of highest cloud tops.

TRMM data showed that rainfall was very heavy in some bands north of Sandy's center of circulation and that Sandy's surface center of circulation is exposed south of the main area of convection. Radar reflectivity values of a little over The National Hurricane Center NHC indicated that there was significant movement of cold air over the southwest side of Sandy's circulation on Friday, as a result of the cold front moving in from the west. This is expected to speed up Sandy's change to a post-tropical low.

Where is Sandy on Saturday, Oct. On Sat. EDT, Hurricane Sandy's maximum sustained winds were near 75 mph kph. Sandy is a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale, and regained hurricane strength after weakening to a tropical storm earlier in the day.

Sandy was centered near latitude Sandy is moving north-northeast near 10 mph 17 kph and is expected to turn northeast then north on Oct. The center of Sandy will continue moving away from the northwestern Bahamas this morning and will move parallel to the southeast coast of the United States through the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center. Storm surge is expected to be big factor as Sandy approaches the Mid-Atlantic coast.

Powerful Winds Have Already Expanded As happens when any storm becomes extra-tropical, Sandy will go from a warm to cold core center and the strongest winds spread out and the storm will expand.

Tropical-storm-force winds have also expanded over a huge area on Sat. Just a day before, those tropical storm force winds extended outward up to miles km. The wind field of Sandy will contine to grow in size during the next couple of days. The storm's circulation now reaches more than 2, miles. NASA satellites will continue to provide forecasters at the National Hurricane Center with infrared, visible, cloud height, temperature and rainfall data as Sandy closes in on the U.

Some forecasters are calling this combination of weather factors "Frankenstorm" because of the close proximity to Halloween. However, because Sandy is a woman's name, the storm could be considered a "bride of Frankenstorm. EDT after it had passed over Cuba and moved into the Bahamas.

With its combination of passive microwave and active radar sensors, TRMM is ideally suited to measure rainfall from space. For increased coverage, TRMM can be used to calibrate rainfall estimates from other additional satellites. TMPA rainfall totals were tallied for the seven-day period from Oct. The heaviest rainfall occurred over open ocean where totals were as high as millimeters. Rainfall amounts as high as millimeters were measured over eastern Cuba and some extreme southern areas of Hispaniola.

Hurricane Sandy passed over the islands of Jamaica and Cuba causing at least 21 deaths. Extensive flooding and other damage were reported near the capital city of Kingston and other areas of Jamaica.

The NHC noted that Sandy is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches across Haiti and the Dominican Republic with isolated maximum totals of 20 inches possible. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are expected over portions of the Bahamas with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches possible. Rainfall totals of one to three inches are expected across the Florida Keys into southeastern and east-central Florida with isolated maximum amounts of six inches possible.

Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are possible over far eastern North Carolina. Interview with Research Meteorologist Dr.

Marshall Shepherd Dr. Shepherd provided his take on the storm event. Comparisons are being made to the Perfect Storm of , but many folks won't remember that. Storm will bring very strong winds hurricane force over a strong area.

Remember the Derecho of June 29, Finally, he noted, there is likely to be heavy wet snow into the inland and higher elevations of the effected region. Where is Sandy on Friday, Oct.

On Friday, Oct. EDT, Hurricane Sandy's maximum sustained winds were near mph kph. Sandy is a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale.

Some weakening is possible during the next day or so, according to the National Hurricane Center. It was centered near latitude Sandy is moving northwest near 10 mph 17 kph and is expected to turn north and then northeast on Oct. Some storm surge forecasts include: 5 to 8 feet in the hurricane warning area in the Bahamas and one to three feet along the Florida coast in the warning areas on Oct.

EDT Hurricane Sandy's huge cloud extent of up to 2, miles extended into the Atlantic, while its center was over the Bahamas. At the same time a long line of clouds associated with a powerful cold front approaching the U.

However, the front is expected to break down as it moves toward the coast, allowing Hurricane Sandy to come back toward the coast. As happens when any storm becomes extra-tropical, Sandy will go from a warm to cold core center and the strongest winds spread out and the storm will expand.

According to the National Hurricane Center, hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles 55 km from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to miles km. The wind field of Sandy is expected to grow in size during the next couple of days. The storm's circulation almost reaches 2, miles. Although landfall is expected in southeastern Delaware early Tuesday morning as a hurricane, the Mid-Atlantic is expected to start feeling the storm's effect starting Sunday, Oct.

Sandy has grown since the morning hours on Oct. The center of the storm was moving through the Bahamas, and the northwestern edge had already spread clouds over southern Florida. The storm is a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale.

Sandy's center was located near 23 degrees 30 minutes north latitude and 75 degrees 24 minutes west longitude, just 25 miles 40 km east of Great Exuma Island, Bahamas. Sandy is moving toward the north near 20 mph 32 kph and this motion is expected to continue followed by a turn toward the north-northwest.

Sandy is expected to remain a hurricane as it moves through the Bahamas. At 11 a. EDT, tropical-storm-force winds extended up to miles km from the center, making Sandy more than miles in diameter. EDT, just more than three hours later, Sandy had grown. Sandy's tropical storm-force-winds now extend outward up to miles km from the center, making the storm about miles in diameter.

High pressure rotating clockwise over New England may be set up to push Sandy toward the mid-Atlantic as a cold front approaches from the west. Various computer models are showing different scenarios for Oct. Regardless, it appears that Sandy may be a strong wind event for the U. The AIRS instrument captured an infrared image of Sandy that showed a large area of very high, cold cloud tops indicating the power within the storm. Sandy is now headed toward the Bahamas and warnings and watches have already been posted for the mainland U.

EDT that showed some strong thunderstorms around the eye of Sandy. Those thunderstorms are reaching high into the troposphere where cloud top temperatures are as cold as Fahrenheit Celsius. In previous studies, those areas where the temperatures were that cold indicated heavy rainfall. By 11 a. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center noted that Sandy "has become somewhat disrupted on the western side by southwesterly flow from an upper-level low to the west.

Discontinued Watches and Warnings As of 11 a. EDT several watches and warnings have been dropped as Sandy continues moving north. The tropical storm warning for Haiti has also been discontinued although heavy rains and gusty winds are expected to continue there today, Oct. Where is Sandy Now? According to the National Hurricane Center, at 11 a. EDT on Thursday, Oct. Sandy is a category two hurricane on the saffir- Simpson hurricane wind scale.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles 45 km from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds go up to miles km from the center, making Sandy move than miles in diameter. As a storm weakens, it tends to grow larger, so forecasters are closely watching Sandy. Sandy is located near latitude That's about 65 miles km south-southwest of Long Island, Bahamas and about 85 miles km south-southeast of Great Exuma Island.

Sandy is moving toward the north near 16 mph 26 kph and is expected to continue in that direction today, and turn north-northwest and slow down.

The center of Sandy will move through the Central Bahamas later on Oct. For more information about rainfall, winds and storm surge, visit the National Hurricane Center website at www. Sandy is now responsible for hurricane and tropical storm warnings and watches from Jamaica to Cuba, the Bahamas and southern Florida.

Sandy is expected to become a hurricane before it reaches Jamaica and Cuba. Sandy's clouds filled up the eastern Caribbean Sea, and showed signs of good circulation. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to miles km from the center. The infrared image showed the strongest thunderstorms surrounded the center of circulation. Hurricane strength is 74 mph. Sandy's center was located near latitude Sandy is moving toward the north near 14 mph 22 kph and the National Hurricane Center NHC noted that this general motion is expected to continue through Thursday Oct.

According to NHC forecasters, the center of Sandy is expected to move across Jamaica by late this afternoon and evening today, Oct. Sandy is then expected to approach the central Bahamas on Thursday. Sandy may further intensify into a hurricane and watches and warnings have been posted in the Caribbean Sea. Towering thunderstorms like these at the center of tropical cyclones are often a sign of intensification. A "hot tower" is a rain cloud that reaches at least to the top of the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere.

The troposphere peaks around nine miles The towering clouds are called "hot" because they rise to such altitude due to the large amount of latent heat. Water vapor releases this latent heat as it condenses into liquid. That's exactly what happened on Oct.

It became Tropical Storm Sandy just six hours later. Sandy's Stats on Oct. The center of Tropical Storm Sandy was located near latitude Sandy was moving to the north-northeast near 3 mph 6 kph and is expected to continue in that direction for the next two days taking the center of the tropical storm near or over Jamaica on Wed.

Sandy's estimated minimum central pressure is millibars. Those bands of thunderstorms are reaching high into the troposphere where cloud top temperatures are as cold as Fahrenheit Celsius.

The National Hurricane Center noted that "hurricane conditions expected on Wed. Hurricane conditions are also possible in eastern Cuba by Wed. Tropical storm conditions are possible in Haiti on Oct. Sandy is expected to be a big rainmaker, generating between six and 12 inches across Jamaica, Haiti , the Domenican Republic and eastern Cuba. Isolated rainfall totals could reach 20 inches. In addition, storm surges are expect to raise water levels between one and three feet above normal tide levels.

The National Hurricane Center expects Sandy to strengthen into a hurricane over the next couple of days. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Jamaica. EDT , the satellite measured rainfall rates within the low pressure area and measured cloud heights of the thunderstorms that make up the low. TRMM noticed that the developing depression had a "hot towering" thunderstorm over 9.

Hot Towers are towering clouds that emit a tremendous amount of latent heat that's why they're called "hot" towers. NASA research indicates that whenever a hot tower is spotted, a tropical cyclone will likely intensify within 6 or more hours, and the low pressure system intensified into a tropical depression. Satellite data also showed that the depression also has a closed surface circulation and the banding of thunderstorms around the center has increased during the early morning hours on Oct.

These are all signs that the depression is getting more organized. EDT, TD18 had maximum sustained winds near 30 mph 45 kph. It was located near Further north, waves eroded the face of dunes in Corolla, N.

Along the undeveloped Virginia coastline south of Virginia Beach, relatively little volume change occurred and high dunes averaging 6. For the approximately 5 km length of the coast centered on Virginia Beach, the beach is backed by a boardwalk, which represents the peak dune height here.

The boardwalk remained intact through Hurricane Sandy therefore dune height is unchanged and dune erosion here is zero. However, volume loss and narrowing of the beach occurred in front of the boardwalk. Virginia's barrier island system north of the mouth of Chesapeake Bay experienced extensive landward deposition of sand as low dunes were overtopped by waves and surge. North of Wallops Island, the storm response along Assateague Island varied spatially with dune morphology.

Much of the southern end of Assateague Island experienced erosion and volume loss as sand was transported landward to form large overwash deposits. Dunes are larger for the middle section of Assateague Island, averaging 4. Elevated water levels and storm-driven waves eroded the dune face causing scarping along the entire extent of the Assateague coastline but dune height remained intact.

Overwash occurred only in limited areas where previous storms cut through the line of dunes. The majority of the northern end of Assateague Island was fronted by a 2 m high berm prior to Hurricane Sandy. Storm waves and elevated water levels destroyed the majority of this low dune structure, carrying sand inland and creating overwash deposits in the bay behind the island in narrow, low-lying places.

In the few places along this stretch where a dune existed that exceeded the 2 m high berm, the dune crest remained intact. While the dunes along the developed coastline of Maryland from Ocean City Inlet northward remained largely intact, waves and surge generated by Sandy eroded and narrowed the beaches. The greatest amount of dune erosion in Maryland north of Assateague Island occurred just north of the Ocean City inlet where a dune elevation reduction of 2 m was observed and the Ocean City Fishing Pier was damaged.

In October through February , a renourishment project was completed that spanned the beaches from Fenwick Island, Del. Sand was pumped onto face of the beach, increasing beach width, and dunes were constructed.

Areas where the created dunes and widened beach system remained intact after the passage of Sandy appear as positive shoreline and volume change. Destructive waves and storm surge associated with Sandy severely eroded the beach and dune systems that represented, in many places, the first line of defense for the New Jersey coastline.

The majority of the New Jersey coast from Brigantine, where Sandy made landfall, northward experienced severe dune erosion of 2 to 6 m vertical loss. Waves atop elevated water levels eroded the face of the dunes, resulting in dune scarping and breaching of the dune line in places allowing waves to carry sand inland and deposit sand on roads and in parking lots.

The greatest impacts from Sandy were observed along the shoreline from the northern boundary of Island Beach State Park north through Mantoloking, N. Dunes here experienced an average of 2. In Seaside Heights, for example, maximum dune elevation erosion of 7 m was observed and many oceanfront houses were severely damaged. Storm waves and surge destroyed the Seaside Height Pier and the boardwalk in places, eroded the beach, overwashed dunes and washed sand inland, damaging or destroying homes.

In Mantoloking, waves and surge breached the narrow island in several locations, cutting through roads and homes and washing houses into Barnegat Bay. Waves and surge attacked dunes averaging 4. Along Fire Island, a mean dune-height erosion of 2 m was observed with dune erosion as high as 5 m in many places. Nearly half of the island's dunes experienced overwash resulting in deposition of sand landward and an overall flattening of beach topography.

Positive shoreline change observed along much of Fire Island is evidence of recovery of the seaward-edge of the beach system immediately following the passage of the storm. A more detailed analysis of coastal changes occurring on Fire Island can be found on the Fire Island Coastal Change project webpage. From Moriches Inlet east to Montauk, higher dunes on average 6.

However, several narrow and low-lying places were breached during the storm including Cupsogue Beach just north of Moriches Inlet and W. USGS forecasts of coastal change from hurricanes provide critical information to identify areas vulnerable to extreme, and potentially catastrophic, erosion during landfall.

Both real-time and scenario-based forecasts are produced. Scenario-based predictions have been published for the Gulf of Mexico, Southeast Atlantic, and mid-Atlantic coastlines for generalized Category hurricane storm surge and wave conditions. As the USGS expands regional predictions into the Northeast Atlantic and Pacific coastlines, other storm scenarios must be explored including nor'easters, and winter storms.

Tropical storms conditions will also be modeled for the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts to produce scenario-based forecasts of coastal change.

View the forecasts in the Coastal Change Hazards Portal. When the next hurricane heads toward a coastal community in the United States, residents and emergency managers busily readying for the storm will Science Explorer. Mission Areas.