LongIsland.com

Forecasters Warn Hurricane-Winter Storm Hybrid To Hit Long Island

Written by Amy Gernon  |  26. October 2012

Gov. Cuomo has directed the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to monitor and brace for what is being called ‘Frankenstorm.”  Both Nassau and Suffolk counties have already began the process of putting in place emergency plans.  

A combination of Hurricane Sandy and a winter storm, along with hide tides associated with the full moon, is expected to result in a storm more severe than Tropical Storm Irene.  Steady gale-force winds, heavy rain and the possibility of snow have all been forecast from Sunday to Wednesday.  
 
Hurricane Sandy is now a Category 2 storm in the Caribbean, and at least 21 storm-related deaths have been reported.    
 
Nassau County will have staffed emergency operation centers open on Sunday, when the storm is expected to set in near the island.  Coastal flooding could become a factor by late Sunday, when the storm winds will coincide with high tides.  County Executive Ed Mangano warned families living north of Route 25A, and south of the Sunrise Highway to review evacuation plans.
 
In Suffolk County, the emergency operation center in Yaphank opened today so coordinating between emergency managers at the town and village level can begin.  
 
Some Long Islanders lost power for several days and up to a week in some cases following Tropical Storm Irene, and LIPA is already predicting outages that may last for days this time around.  
 
The storm is expected to come ashore in New Jersey on Tuesday morning, but due to the size and scope of the storm’s features, it will impact a large swath of the East Coast.  Weather experts are predicting the storm could create up to $1 billion in damages.
 
 
 
Share your thoughts on this article by posting your comment below or visiting our Long Island Living discussion forum. 

Copyright © 1996-2024 LongIsland.com & Long Island Media, Inc. All rights reserved.