New Storm Brewing Could Threaten Sandy-Damaged Beaches - With coastal communities in New York and New Jersey still reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the last thing the area needs is another storm. But that's exactly what it might get. A nor'easter is predicted to potentially hit the East Coast next Wednesday (Nov. 7), and beach erosion experts are concerned about further damage to shorelines devastated by Sandy.
As Sandy came ashore, its record surge and pounding waves tore apart or eroded hundreds of miles of dunes and protective sea walls along the East Coast. Hundreds of homes and buildings, which also provided some protection, were destroyed. The lack of protective dunes and damage to sea walls could lead to lowland flooding near the coast, depending on the wind direction and storm surge from the new storm, even one that isn't expected to approach Sandy's strength.
Many of the sandy beaches along the Atlantic Coast have become increasingly vulnerable to significant impacts due to erosion during past storms, including Hurricanes Ida (2009) and Irene (2011), as well as large storms in 2005 and 2007. Sandy caused extensive erosion to beaches and dunes. The USGS and other agencies are now running aerial and ground surveys to assess the damage. "There are dunes that have been eroded away completely, so now their protection is gone. That will make these communities more vulnerable to future storms that may not be as strong."
Quick repair and restoration of the coast could be essential to minimizing damage from future storms, whether the one currently brewing or any others that could develop later in the winter. In New York, the Department of Environmental Conservation is issuing emergency permits for storm-related repairs in coastal areas and wetlands. Farther north, front-end loaders are already pushing sand back onto the beach.
Sandy's late October arrival also increased coastal vulnerability by removing sand that had been naturally stored offshore for summer beach replenishment. During the winter, sand is stored in sandbars and comes back in the summer. "After Sandy, instead of going into a nor'easter system at our best, we're going into it at a weakened condition."
The new storm's path is predicted to move from the Southeast Tuesday night into New Jersey on Wednesday. "It looks like your average Nor'easter that comes in off the coast." Its precise strength and route is still uncertain, but the storm will be nowhere near the level of Sandy's tropical-force winds. Coastal communities hit by the Frankenstorm will see strong onshore winds and waves, though whether the storm will come on land or stay out at sea is still uncertain.
you will stumble on something,
perhaps when you are least expecting it.
I have never heard of anyone
stumbling on something sitting down.**
Charles F. Kettering
LARGEST QUAKES -
Live Seismograms - Worldwide (update every 30 minutes)
This morning -
5.2 KEPULAUAN SANGIHE, INDONESIA
5.5 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.2 MOLUCCA SEA
5.1 SOUTHWEST INDIAN RIDGE
Yesterday -
11/4/12 -
5.3 KEPULAUAN SANGIHE, INDONESIA
5.0 POTOSI, BOLIVIA
5.0 QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS REGION
5.1 SOUTHEAST OF LOYALTY ISLANDS
5.4 SOUTHERN PERU
5.0 VANUATU
VOLCANOES -
Volcano Webcams
Philippines - Mayon and Taal volcanoes on alert level 1. The alert level remains raised in both volcanoes after volcanic earthquakes were observed during the past 24 hours. One volcanic eartquake was observed in Mayon, while 5 were observed in Taal.
The alert level was first raised on both volcanoes on Thursday, November 1, after 5 volcanic earthquakes were recorded in Mayor and 2 were observed in Taal. Alert level 1 means that abnormal volcanic activities are observed, though a hazardous eruption is not imminent. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is closely monitoring the activities in both volcanoes. The public is being advised to avoid the 6km radius Permanent Danger Zone on Mayon volcano, and to avoid the entire Taal volcano island.
TROPICAL STORMS -
In the East Pacific -
- Post-Tropical cyclone Rosa was located about 1045 mi. [1580 km] SW of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Now a remnant low, the cyclone is forecast to dissipate in a couple of days. The last advisory has been issued on this system.
New York - Alert over post-storm housing. Tens of thousands of people in New York state whose homes were damaged by storm Sandy could soon need housing as cold weather arrives, politicians warn. And another powerful storm is forecast for the middle of the week.
The figure could be 30,000-40,000 people. Federal agencies are looking for flats and hotel rooms in order to get people out of shelters. Homes without heat will become uninhabitable as temperatures fell. Residents who had so far refused to leave their homes would have no other option. New York City opened warming shelters in areas without power and handed out blankets to residents who insisted on staying in homes without power.
There will be increasing pressure on public transport on Monday, as more people returned to work and the schools re-opened. Fuel shortages were easing, but New Yorkers were urged not to hoard petro. Those without heating were urged to leave their homes if necessary. "You can die from being cold. You can die from fires started when you use candles or stoves to heat your apartment. If you don't know where to go, stop a cop on the street and say, please tell me where to go. They'll help you. But we have to make sure that you are safe for a few days and that you have food and water for a few days."
Temperatures fell to 39F (4C) on Sunday and are forecast to go as low as 30F (-1C) today. About 730,000 people in New York state still do not have electricity, including more than 130,000 in New York City. Nearly a million people in the neighbouring state of New Jersey remain without power, and petrol is being rationed. Hundreds of runners who had been planning to take part in the New York marathon joined impromptu runs to raise funds or deliver aid.
At least 106 US deaths - 40 of them in New York City - have been blamed on Sandy, which struck on 29 October. The storm had already caused 69 deaths in the Caribbean before reaching the US. On Sunday the Haitian government made an appeal for humanitarian assistance from other governments and international organisations.
Staten Island before and after photos
Sandy sparks fuel and food crisis - video.
SEVERE RAIN STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES -
India - At least 22 people have been killed by heavy rains in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, days after a cyclone hit. Forecasters say further "heavy to very heavy rains" are expected in several places for the next two days.
Normal life has been badly hit in at least six districts in coastal areas of the state. Last week, Cyclone Nilam hit struck parts of Andhra Pradesh with winds of up to 100km/h (60mph). The cyclone also hit the neighbouring Tamil Nadu state killing more than 10 people, including crew members of an oil tanker which ran ground near the coast of the capital, Chennai. Rain continued to lash Andhra Pradesh after the cyclone - 22 people have died in rain-related incidents in the past few days. The districts of Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur and Khammam districts are among the worst hit by the flooding. More than 1,500 houses have been damaged and thousands of people living in low-lying areas in the affected districts have been moved to 86 relief camps. Rail and road traffic also also been hit as flood waters inundated railway tracks and highways.
Britain - Flood warnings after snowfall in west of England. Flood warnings have been issued after three inches of snow fell across parts of the West Country and southern England, causing disruption to transport. The snowfall happened early on Sunday and affected parts of Wiltshire, Somerset, North Dorset and Devon.
Sixteen flood warnings have been issued as the snow begins to melt away, with one bridge in danger of collapse. Bournemouth experienced the most rainfall in the UK, with 30mm (1.2in) falling in 24 hours. The Dorset town would normally expect to receive 100mm (4in) of rain on average for the whole of November. Flood caused problems for motorists on the A44 near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds. Nearly 80 less-severe flood alerts have been issued in other areas.
The Environment Agency flood risk manager, said: ""Only last week the organisation warned that flooding could be more likely this winter as a result of heavy rainfall during the summer and higher than normal rivers and groundwater levels." Bath and North East Somerset (Banes) Council said it had been caught unaware because no snow was forecast. Several roads in the region have been affected by flooding. Earlier, trains between Swindon and Gloucester had to be replaced by buses because of flooding near Kemble.
EXTREME HEAT & DROUGHT / CLIMATE CHANGE -
Zimbabwe - Thousands of cattle succumb to drought. “Cattle in most parts of Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Masvingo, Midlands and Manicaland, are facing starvation as a result of the current drought (shortage of grazing and water shortages)."
US farms need recharged soil moisture after drought - Drought-struck areas of the U.S. Plains winter wheat belt need a deluge of rain and snow this winter to fully recharge parched farmland, an unlikely scenario that means wheat, corn and soybean crops could face a rough new season.
