PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (NY) NY WSC, Coram Program Office Prepares for Hurricane Sandy

Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2012 14:50:02 EDT

Summary: Plans are being made to monitor storm surge, wave height, and riverine flood stages in southeastern New York State.

The New York Water Science Center, Coram Program Office is preparing for the forecasted impacts from Hurricane Sandy. Plans are being made to monitor storm surge, wave height, and riverine flood stages at locations that are not currently monitored by continuous-record gaging stations. Five crews, including one from Georgia, are preparing for the installation of 35 storm-surge sensors, 10 barometric-pressure sensors, 4 wave-height sensors, and 3 rapid-deployment gages throughout Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties), the five boroughs of New York City, and lower parts of Westchester County.

Effects from Hurricane Sandy are expected to reach the local area by tomorrow morning as the storm moves north along the East Coast. Currently the National Hurricane Center is predicting a landfall for Sandy somewhere south of Long Island. This forecast track will bring an extended period of strong winds to Long Island and the New York City area. The National Weather Service predicts that theses winds, in conjunction with high astronomical tides, will cause widespread moderate to major coastal flooding across the area. Expected rainfall of 2 to 4 inches may exacerbate this flooding in some locations. The worst of the storm for this area is forecast to occur on Monday and Monday night, when sustained winds are forecast to exceed tropical-storm strength.

Sub-Region: Mid Atlantic; Region: Eastern United States