We have had on and off misty rain during the day and some shifting winds, but the damaging force of Hurricane Sandy has so far not been felt in the Whiting, Vermont, area. School was open as usual today, but all schools of the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, including Otter Valley Union High School, will be closed tomorrow.
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| How much of Middlebury's lingering fall foliage will survive tonight's heavy winds? |
Update, Oct. 29, 2012, 10:30 a.m.
Green Mountain Power is bringing utility crews in from Canada and six U.S. states to assist with repairing any power outages caused by this storm. The company's outage center reports just 247 power outages this morning, with more than half of those in Halifax, at the border with Massachusetts. (In the State of Connecticut, Connecticut Light & Power is reporting more than 8,300 outages already. Many of those are clustered along Long Island Sound and the Rhode Island border.)
The Vermont State Emergency Operations Center was opened at 7 a.m. Personnel are tracking the storm and preparing emergency responses.
The National Weather Service warns that 60-70 mph wind gusts are expected along the Green Mountains and in Vermont's Northwest Kingdom when Hurricane Sandy makes landfall later today. Gusts up to 60 mph could be experienced in the Champlain and St. Lawrence valleys. Peak winds are expected from the east between 4 p.m. today and 2 a.m. tomorrow. Downed trees and power lines are likely. Some minor structural damage to poorly constructed buildings is also expected. Rainfall amounts will generally be less than one inch, though mountain slopes could experience 1 to 2 inches of rain. No widespread flooding is expected.
Update, Oct. 29, 2012, 6 a.m.
The National Weather Service is anticipating that Hurricane Sandy winds will cause significant damage and result in prolonged power outages to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. states. School has been canceled for millions of students along the East Coast today. Schools in southern Vermont also have announced cancellations.
Strong winds and rain are expected throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Storm surge could cause extensive flooding in ordinarily dry areas. Long Island Sound, Raritan Bay and New York Harbor could see water levels rise by six to eleven feet. Connecticut and Rhode Island sea coasts could see a storm surge of three to eight feet higher than normal. Two to three feet of heavy snow is expected to fall in the mountains of West Virginia, with a foot or more in higher elevation areas nearby.
In Vermont, the strongest winds are anticipated for the mountain slopes (see map), though the entire state could experience winds of 50 mph or more.
Update, Oct. 28, 2012, 6 p.m.
The National Weather Service is warning that Sandy will bring life-threatening storm surge flooding to the Mid-Atlantic coast, including Long Island Sound and New York Harbor, coastal hurricane-force winds and heavy Appalachian snows. The service's 5 p.m. advisory indicates that Hurricane Sandy will be approaching the Mid-Atlantic coast by Monday night. It may be strengthened at that time through combination with a cold front moving in from the west.
New York City may experience some of the worst storm conditions. City schools already have been closed for tomorrow. Dozens of schools are being used as evacuation centers. Some mandatory evacuations have been ordered for flood-prone areas of the city. Mass transit in the city is shutting down tonight until further notice.
It appears that Vermont will be spared the worst of the storm, but high winds could still cause damage and knock out electrical power for residents. Airlines across the Northeast have canceled flights. On Monday, Amtrak will halt service across the Eastern Seaboard, including Vermont service. The storm's effects will be felt most strongly Monday evening. However, showers related to Sandy's remnants are expected to linger until next weekend.
Update, Oct. 28, 2012, 12:45 p.m.
A National Weather Service High Wind Warning is in effect for all of Vermont from 2 p.m. Monday through 11 a.m. Tuesday. The strongest winds are expected Monday night from dusk until about midnight. Western mountain slopes will experience the highest gusts of 60-75 mph. Others will experience winds of 50 mph or more. Winds are expected to die down considerably during Tuesday. Residents are warned to plan ahead for possible power outages.
The National Weather Service has also issued a flood watch for portions of central and southern Vermont. Minor flooding of poor drainage areas is possible.
Numerous school districts in the State of Connecticut already have canceled school for Monday and Tuesday, anticipating flooding and damaging winds. Areas of Connecticut were repeatedly left without electrical power for weeks after two storms in late summer and fall last year.
Update, Oct. 28, 2012, 7 a.m.
Hurricane Sandy, now located more than 200 miles off the South Carolina coast, continues to move toward the northeast. She is expected to continue that course today and to turn abruptly to the northwest on Monday. Maximum sustained winds are now about 65-75 mph. Hurricane force winds extend outward as much as 100 miles and tropical storm winds as much as 500 miles. Winds will be felt in the mid-Atlantic states during the day and will become near hurricane force by Monday morning.
A high wind watch is already in effect for all of Vermont. A flood watch is in effect through Wednesday morning for central and southern Vermont. Authorities do not expect much in the way of flooding from this storm, though some may occur in poor drainage areas. The state is expected to experience rain - occasionally heavy - and strong winds Monday into Tuesday. Winds will die down and the rest of the week's forecast calls for rain showers.
Update, Oct. 27, 2012
It appears that Vermont will be spared much of the wind and rain associated with Hurricane Sandy. However, high winds of 40 mph or more are expected for early next week and there will be considerable rainfall in some areas, particularly eastern facing mountain slopes. Power outages could accompany the high winds and some minor flooding is possible in poor drainage areas.
Sandy weakened just a bit overnight and was momentarily dropped down to tropical storm status. More recently, hurricane force winds were detected. The storm is growing considerably larger and is expected to grow further through combination with other weather systems in the region. The storm is tracking parallel to the southeastern U.S. coast but will turn dramatically left within two days, likely making landfall on the New Jersey coast Monday. A later left turn is still possible. That would cause Sandy to strike southern New England.After landfall, Sandy may slow or halt as it combines with a large cold front from from the west. Any slowing in its movement will magnify the storm's effects on the region. Rain amounts of 3-6 inches are expected from coastal areas of Virginia to New York City, with 10+ inches possible in some areas. Heavy rains are expected as far inland as Pittsburgh and Buffalo. A foot or more of heavy wet snow is possible in the Appalachian mountain areas of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Update, Oct. 26, 2012
The computer models appear to be settling on a Sandy strike along the Northeast coast sometime late Monday. The New Jersey area seems to be the current focus. A merge with several other weather systems and the development of a Halloween "Frankenstorm" over the New York City region is feared.
Worst case seems to be a Sandy right-hook to New York City just as the storm stalls. That could deliver days of strong winds, intense rain and coastal flooding to the heavily populated region. Sandy is now a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.
October 25, 2012
Hurricane Sandy, now a strong Category 2, is moving across Cuba at the moment. The storm has a well defined eye and includes maximum sustained winds of more than 100 mph. It is expected to track to the east of Florida into the Atlantic Ocean. Some forecast models show the storm doing an unusual counter-clockwise loop as it moves north and making landfall in the New York-New England area. The models are based on a trough of atmospheric pressure over the U.S., which could draw the hurricane inland in the Northeast late Monday or Tuesday.
Vermont's experience with Tropical Storm Irene illustrated the importance of communication through various levels of government and emergency services. Communication has been strengthened in the storm's aftermath and may get a test from Sandy.
Mark Bosma of Vermont Emergency Management recommends that state residents consider purchasing extra food, water and batteries - items that won't be wasted if the storm decides to remain out at sea. "We always encourage the public to be ready for anything," Bosma said.
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