Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

NYC Waits For Hurricane Sandy's "Life-Threatening" Storm Surge

By

Jen Chung

Published Oct 29, 2012

Modified Oct 29, 2012

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

By

Jen Chung

Published Oct 29, 2012

Modified Oct 29, 2012

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Good morning: The NYC region is holding its breath as Hurricane Sandy, with its 85 MPH winds, makes its approach. The MTA shut down yesterday, stock market is closed, schools are shuttered and residents living in coastal areas (Zone A in NYC) have been ordered to evacuate. The big worry: The surges from the storm and the full moon high tide.

As The Weather Channel's Stu Ostro declared yesterday, "History is being written as an extreme weather event continues to unfold, one which will occupy a place in the annals of weather history as one of the most extraordinary to have affected the United States...A meteorologically mind-boggling combination of ingredients is coming together...This is an extraordinary situation, and I am not prone to hyperbole."

The center of the storm (see this map) is still expected to hit southern New Jersey first, with high tide this morning and then another high tide this evening. A meteorologist in Mount Holly, NJ, Mark DeLisi told the Star-Ledger, "Actually, this is a little horrifying. It is possible that between the morning high tide and evening tide, it will never drop below flooding.” Here's a video of how Sandy has gained steam:

A storm surge of up to 11 feet could come to New York—for instance, Battery Park City saw a surge of four feet during Hurricane Irene, and Hurricane Sandy might bring 7-8 feet surges.

Useful links, including maps:

Tagged

frankenstorm

hurricane

hurricane sandy

nyc

rain

storm surge

weather

Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE news

Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says

The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.

By

Michael Sol Warren

Published Oct 11, 2026

NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday

NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.

By

Giulia Heyward

News

NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday

NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.

By

Giulia Heyward

For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters

By

Mike Hayes

2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say

By

Brittany Kriegstein

and

Ann Givens

Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.

By

Brittany Kriegstein

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .