Hurricane Sandy Update…

HURRICANE SANDY MOVING UP THE EAST COAST

AT THIS TIME…

HIGH WIND WARNINGS ISSUED FOR ALL OF CONNECTICUT…

MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING EXPECTED…

Towns should continue preparations for a potentially major impact from Sandy…

At 8:00 AM the center of Hurricane Sandy was located near 32.1 North 73.1 West (260 Miles Southeast of Cape Hatteras, South Carolina).  Hurricane Sandy has maximum sustained winds of 75 MPH and is moving to the Northeast at 10 MPH.   Sandy is currently a Category I Hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center is forecasting that Sandy will continue in a generally Northeast direction for the next 18 hours as the storm moves out over open water off the U.S. East Coast.  Sandy is forecast to move to a position approximately 225 Miles East of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina by 2:00 AM Monday Morning.   Sandy is then forecast to intensify and grow in size as the storm interacts with an approaching winter type storm system.  Sandy is forecast to move Northwest to a position near the mid coast of New Jersey by 2:00 AM Tuesday morning.

Sandy is expected to be a very large and dangerous Hybrid when the storm arrives Sunday night and Monday.  Hybrid storms do not act like hurricanes and do not weaken over cold waters.  Sandy is forecast to move slowly and impact our area for up to 36 hours with very strong winds, finally departing our area Wednesday morning.

The NWS has issued High Wind Warnings for the potential of very strong winds sustained at 40 – 60 MPH and gusting to 60 – 80 MPH along the coast and in the higher elevations at times.  Coastal Flood Watches have been issued for the potential for major coastal flooding.   The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection continue to monitor the latest forecasts and will issue another update on Sandy at 11:30 AM this morning.