Ten years ago today Hurricane Sandy hit the northeast as one of the most destructive storms and threw a wrench in how warning messages are conveyed.
Sandy was massive before it made landfall in the U.S. because it was a hybrid beast. The reach of its tropical storm force winds was larger than any tropical storm on record.
And this scale impacts a greater area with more damage. Wider storms push more weather ashore in higher storm surge and result in a greater extent of wind damage.
Sandy exhibited an expansion in size as it moved poleward which is common along the east coast of the United States as storms move poleward.
It left behind 71 direct deaths in nine states becoming the deadliest hurricane to hit the United States mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Sandy altered warning protocols for the better
When Sandy came ashore it was technically not a hurricane but “post-tropical” meaning it no longer had a warm center. The distinguishment resulted in other governmental weather agencies taking control of forecast advisories in place of the National Hurricane Center.
The change of command led to confusion in emergency management messaging.
Since then, changes have been made to ensure the NHC provides clear warning continuity and now, watches and warnings remain in effect after hurricanes transition to post-tropical status.