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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Monday October 29th, 2012 - Storm Surge Arrives tonight.

One year ago today, this was the last post published on this site prior to Sandy and her storm surge rolling through town later that day.   At 7:28 pm that evening we lost power, internet, cell phone signal, and land line telephone communication.  Our site was down for almost 5 weeks and didn't post again until December 11th, 2012.

For all of us who remained in town, the rest is now history.


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Monday
October 29, 2012
"Start Battering Down The Hatches!"

Weather

This Afternoon... Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 62. Very windy, with a northeast wind 41 to 44 mph, with gusts as high as 70 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and a half an inch possible.
Tonight...Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 55. Very windy, with a east wind 38 to 47 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 85 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
High Tides
[P.M.]
This evening's high tide is at 8:59 p.m with a scheduled astronomical height of 5.3 feet and will be accompanied by a projected storm surge of some 5 to 10 feet which will peak sometime around 8:00pm.

The bay never returned to a normal low tide height after this morning's high tide because of the constant NE onshore winds.

Sandy's central pressure at 2 pm is still falling at 940mb or 27.76 inches of mercury which is extraordinarily low indicating the storm is still feeding itself off a warm gulf stream.
Additionally Hurricane Sandy is transitioning into a huge Nor'easter as it merges with an Arctic front coming in from the West.

Based on what I am seeing, a best guess scenario for this evening's high tide and accompanying storm surge is a flood level 2 to 2.5 feet above what we experienced this morning and, as much as I hate to say this, that does not bode well for Broad Channel.


Comments

There are several factors we all have to be concerned with this afternoon and evening as Sandy approaches and hits the coast south of Atlantic City and we experience the brunt of Sandy's weather.

1. We will be experiencing sustained high winds, oftentimes gusting to Hurricane force. Once the winds pick up, do not venture outside your homes to avoid serious injury.

2. Remain acutely aware that there is a distinct possibility of our area sustaining a power outage this evening because of the sustained Tropical Force winds with Hurricane wind gusts.If the power does go out, shut down your main panel and turn off all your individual breakers. Make sure you have alternative lighting (flashlights/lanterns). When power is ultimately restored, turn your main feed back on and bring your individual circuit breakers back on line one at a time - only if your electrical system has not been impacted by the water.

3. Make sure an adult is awake and alert during times of tidal flooding this evening to monitor the height of the water which will take place without the benefit of daylight. Again, keep and eye on your propane tanks. I would recommend that you shut them off and disconnect them from your regulator to avoid damage to your regulator and gas lines in the event the flooding rips them away from your house.  If you can, stay in contact with your neighbors.

4. If, at any time, it appears that the tidal flood waters will reach any area of your house where electrical lines/circuits are located, shut down your main feed immediately and only
attempt to restore power after the storm has passed and tidal waters have receded as described in #2. above.

5. I would recommend that, if you haven't already, take pictures or a video of the interior of your home and all furnishings, appliances, etc. now to provide insurance adjusters with proof of the condition of residence prior to tidal flooding in the event your home is breached.

6.  Effective at this time, if you will allow me the use of a very cliched phrase..."Start battening down the hatches...!"


PIX 11 News had a news team at the bay end of W12th Road where they stated they would remain reporting live during tonight's high tide and storm surge.  At 4:50 pm they had to move to Cross Bay Boulevard as this evening's high tide was already had flooded the bay end of W12th Road.

We will try to continue to update all of you with the latest advisories and Sandy status reports as long as we have power to do so but I have a bad feeling our street, especially here at the bay end, will be one of the first to go under the incoming storm surge and tide.

Good Luck and God Speed....Keep yourselves and your families safe.


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