:Hurricane Sandy

{{main|Meteorological history of Hurricane Sandy}}

{{storm path|Sandy 2012 path.png|colors=new}}

Hurricane Sandy began as a low pressure system which developed sufficient organized convection to be classified as Tropical Depression Eighteen on October 22 south of Kingston, Jamaica.{{cite report|author=Robbie Berg|author2=Lixion Avila|date=October 22, 2012|title=Tropical Depression Eighteen Discussion Number 1|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 23, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.001.shtml?}} It moved slowly at first due to a ridge to the north. Low wind shear and warm waters allowed for strengthening, and the system was named Tropical Storm Sandy late on October 22.{{cite report|author=Richard Pasch|date=October 22, 2012|title=Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 2|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 23, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.002.shtml?}} Early on October 24, an eye began developing, and it was moving steadily northward due to an approaching trough.{{cite report|author=Jack Beven|date=October 24, 2012|title=Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 7|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 24, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.007.shtml?}} Later that day, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) upgraded Sandy to hurricane status about {{convert|65|mi|km|abbr=on}} south of Kingston, Jamaica.{{cite report|author=Michael Brennan|date=October 24, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 9|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 24, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.009.shtml?}} At about 1900 UTC that day, Sandy made landfall near Kingston with winds of about {{convert|85|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite report|author=Todd Kimberlain|author2=James Franklin|date=October 24, 2002|title=Hurricane Sandy Tropical Cyclone Update|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 24, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.update.10241918.shtml?}} Just offshore Cuba, Sandy rapidly intensified to a Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds at {{convert|115|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and a minimum central pressure of {{convert|954|mbar|inHg}}, and at that intensity, Sandy made landfall just west of Santiago de Cuba at 0525 UTC on October 25.{{cite report|author=Stacy Stewart|author2=Dave Roberts|date=October 25, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Tropical Cyclone Update|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 26, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.update.10250539.shtml?}} Operationally, Sandy was assessed to have peaked as a high-end Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of {{convert|110|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.

After Sandy exited Cuba, the structure of the storm became disorganized,{{cite report|author=Michael Brennan|date=October 25, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 14|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 26, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.014.shtml?}} and it turned to the north-northwest over the Bahamas.{{cite report|author=Jack Beven|date=October 26, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 15|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 26, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.015.shtml?}} By October 27, Sandy was no longer fully tropical, as evidenced by the development of frontal structures in its outer circulation. Despite strong shear, Sandy maintained its convection due to influence from an approaching trough; the same that turned the hurricane to the northeast.{{cite report|author=Jack Beven|date=October 27, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 19|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 27, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.019.shtml?}} After briefly weakening to a tropical storm,{{cite report|author=Jack Beven|date=October 27, 2012|title=Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 20|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 27, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.020.shtml?}} Sandy re-intensified into a Category 1 hurricane,{{cite report|author=Daniel Brown|date=October 27, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 21|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 27, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.021.shtml?}} and on October 28, an eye began redeveloping.{{cite report|author=Stacy Stewart|date=October 29, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 25|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 31, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.025.shtml?}} The storm moved around an upper-level low over the eastern United States and also to the southwest of a ridge over Atlantic Canada, turning it to the northwest.{{cite report|author=Richard Pasch|author2=John Cangialosi|date=October 29, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 28|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 31, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.028.shtml?}}

Sandy briefly re-intensified to Category 2 intensity on the morning of October 29, around which time it had become an extremely large hurricane, with a record gale-force wind diameter of over {{convert|1,150|mi|km}},{{cite report|author=Stacy R. Stewart|date=October 29, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 29|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 31, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.029.shtml?}} and an unusually low central barometric pressure of 940 mbar, possibly due to the very large size of the system. This pressure set records for many cities across the Northeastern United States for the lowest pressures ever observed.{{cite report|author=Stacy Stewart|date=October 29, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 29|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 31, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.029.shtml?}} The convection diminished while the hurricane accelerated toward the New Jersey coast,{{cite report|author=Richard Knabb|author2=James Franklin|date=October 29, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 30|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 31, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.discus.030.shtml?}} and the cyclone was no longer tropical by 2100 UTC on October 29.{{cite report|author=Daniel Brown|author2=Dave Roberts|date=October 29, 2012|title=Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy Tropical Cyclone Update|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 31, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.update.10292255.shtml?}} About 2½ hours later, Sandy made landfall near Brigantine, New Jersey,{{cite report|author=Daniel Brown|author2=Dave Roberts|date=October 30, 2012|title=Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy Tropical Cyclone Update|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 31, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.update.10300002.shtml?}} with sustained winds of {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. During the next four days, Sandy's remnants drifted northward and then northeastward over Ontario, before merging with another low pressure area over Eastern Canada on November 2.{{cite web|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/archives/web_pages/sfc/sfc_archive_maps.php?arcdate=11/02/2012&selmap=2012110218&maptype=satsfcnps|title=WPC surface analysis valid for 11/02/2017 at 18 UTC|publisher=NOAA's National Weather Service|date=November 2, 2011|access-date=September 29, 2017}}

File:AL182012 5W 025 0.png

On October 23, 2012, the path of Hurricane Sandy was correctly predicted by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) headquartered in Reading, England nearly eight days in advance of its striking the American East Coast. The computer model noted that the storm would turn west towards land and strike the New York/New Jersey region on October 29, rather than turn east and head out to the open Atlantic as most hurricanes in this position do. By October 27, four days after the ECMWF made its prediction, the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center confirmed the path of the hurricane predicted by the European model. The National Weather Service was criticized for not employing its higher-resolution forecast models the way that its European counterpart did. A hardware and software upgrade completed at the end of 2013 enabled the weather service to make predictions more accurate and farther in advance than the technology in 2012 had allowed.{{cite news|last=Vergano|first=Dan|title=U.S. forecast's late arrival stirs weather tempest|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2012/10/30/sandy-hurricane-models/1668867/w|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=October 5, 2013|date=October 30, 2012}}

{{See also|Tropical cyclones and climate change}}

According to NCAR senior climatologist Kevin E. Trenberth, "The answer to the oft-asked question of whether an event is caused by climate change is that it is the wrong question. All weather events are affected by climate change because the environment in which they occur is warmer and moister than it used to be."{{cite journal|last=Trenberth|first=Kevin|title=Framing the way to relate climate extremes to climate change|journal=Climatic Change|date=March 2012|doi=10.1007/s10584-012-0441-5|volume=115|issue=2|pages=283–290|bibcode=2012ClCh..115..283T|doi-access=free}} Although NOAA meteorologist Martin Hoerling attributes Sandy to "little more than the coincidental alignment of a tropical storm with an extratropical storm",{{cite news|last=Andrew C.|first=Revkin|title=The #Frankenstorm in Climate Context|url=http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/the-frankenstorm-in-climate-context/|newspaper=The New York Times; Dot Earth|date=October 28, 2012}} Trenberth does agree that the storm was caused by "natural variability" but adds that it was "enhanced by global warming".{{cite news|last=Trenberth|first=Kevin|title=Hurricane Sandy mixes super-storm conditions with climate change|url=http://theconversation.edu.au/hurricane-sandy-mixes-super-storm-conditions-with-climate-change-10388|work=The Conversation|access-date=October 29, 2012|quote=The sea surface temperatures along the Atlantic coast have been running at over 3°C above normal for a region extending 800 km off shore all the way from Florida to Canada. Global warming contributes 0.6°C to this. With every degree C, the water holding of the atmosphere goes up 7%, and the moisture provides fuel for the tropical storm, increases its intensity, and magnifies the rainfall by double that amount compared with normal conditions. Global climate change has contributed to the higher sea surface and ocean temperatures, and a warmer and moister atmosphere, and its effects are in the range of 5 to 10%. Natural variability and weather have provided the perhaps optimal conditions of a hurricane running into extra-tropical conditions to make for a huge intense storm, enhanced by global warming influences.}} One factor contributing to the storm's strength was abnormally warm sea surface temperatures offshore the East Coast of the United States—more than {{convert|5|F-change|C-change|sigfig=1}} above normal, to which global warming had contributed {{convert|1|F-change|C-change|sigfig=1}}. As the temperature of the atmosphere increases, the capacity to hold water increases, leading to stronger storms and higher rainfall amounts.

As they move north, Atlantic hurricanes typically are forced east and out to sea by the Prevailing Westerlies.{{cite web|last=Masters|first=Jeff|title=Why did Hurricane Sandy take such an unusual track into New Jersey?|url=http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2283|publisher=Weather Underground|access-date=November 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103064238/http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2283|archive-date=November 3, 2012}} In Sandy's case, this typical pattern was blocked by a ridge of high pressure over Greenland resulting in a negative North Atlantic Oscillation, forming a kink in the jet stream, causing it to double back on itself off the East Coast. Sandy was caught up in this southeasterly flow, taking the storm on an unusual northwest path. The blocking pattern over Greenland also stalled an Arctic front which combined with the cyclone. Mark Fischetti of Scientific American said that the jet stream's unusual shape was caused by the melting of Arctic ice.{{cite web|title=Did Climate Change Cause Hurricane Sandy?|last=Fischetti|first=Mark|date=October 30, 2012|url=http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2012/10/30/did-climate-change-cause-hurricane-sandy/}} Trenberth said that while a negative North Atlantic Oscillation and a blocking anticyclone were in place, the null hypothesis remained that this was just the natural variability of weather. Sea level at New York and along the New Jersey coast has increased by nearly {{Convert|12|in|cm|abbr=out}} over the last hundred years,{{cite news|title=How to keep New York afloat|author=Velasquez-Manoff, Moises|newspaper=Christian Science Monitor|date=November 9, 2006|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-154089560.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505005527/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-154089560.html|archive-date=May 5, 2013|access-date=December 15, 2012}} which contributed to the storm surge.{{cite news|last=Boxall and Neela Banerjee|first=Bettina|title=Sandy a galvanizing moment for climate change?|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-climate-politics-20121105,0,234626.story|access-date=November 5, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 4, 2012}} One group of scientists estimated that the anthropogenic (human activity-driven) climate change was responsible for approximately {{Convert|3.5|in|cm}} of sea level rise in New York, which permitted additional storm surge that caused approximately $8.1 Billion out of the $60 billion in reported economic damage and to an extension of the flood zone to impact approximately 71,000 more people than would have been the case without it.{{cite journal |vauthors=Strauss BH, Orton PM, Bittermann K, Buchanan MK, Gilford DM, Kopp RE, Kulp S, Massey C, Moel H, Vinogradov S |title=Economic damages from Hurricane Sandy attributable to sea level rise caused by anthropogenic climate change |journal=Nat Commun |date=May 18, 2021 |volume=12 |issue=1 |page=2720 |doi=10.1038/s41467-021-22838-1 |pmid=34006886 |pmc=8131618 |bibcode=2021NatCo..12.2720S |doi-access=free }} Harvard geologist Daniel P. Schrag calls Hurricane Sandy's {{convert|13|ft|m|adj=on}} storm surge an example of what will, by mid-century, be the "new norm on the Eastern seaboard".{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Edward|title=Hello again, climate change|url=http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/11/hello-again-climate-change/|access-date=November 7, 2012|newspaper=Harvard Gazette|date=November 6, 2012}}"He pointed out that since 2007, melted Arctic ice opened the Northwest Passage, a development that he believes could have a dramatic effect on weather patterns. Last spring's unseasonable warmth caused places like Rochester, Minn., to set record daytime highs. 'By midcentury, this will be the new normal,' Schrag predicted. 'How do you deal with extreme heat in the summer? It's going to be a challenge, but humans are adaptable. It's not going to be easy, just like a 13-foot storm surge will be the new norm on the Eastern seaboard.'"

{{clear}}

After the storm became a tropical cyclone on October 22, the Government of Jamaica issued a tropical storm watch for the entire island.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public.001.shtml?|title=Tropical Depression Eighteen Advisory Number 1|author1=Robbie Berg |author2=Lixion Avila |date=October 22, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 24, 2012}} Early on October 23, the watch was replaced with a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch was issued.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public.004.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 4|author=Daniel Brown|date=October 23, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 24, 2012}} At 1500 UTC, the hurricane watch was upgraded to a hurricane warning, while the tropical storm warning was discontinued.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public.004.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 5|author=Richard Pasch|date=October 23, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 24, 2012}} In preparation of the storm, many residents stocked up on supplies and reinforced roofing material. Acting Prime Minister Peter Phillips urged people to take this storm seriously, and also to take care of their neighbors, especially the elderly, children, and disabled. Government officials shut down schools, government buildings, and the airport in Kingston on the day prior to the arrival of Sandy. Meanwhile, numerous and early curfews were put in place to protect residents, properties, and to prevent crime.{{cite news|last=McFadden|first=David|title=Jamaica prepares for Tropical Storm Sandy|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/tropical-storm-warning-jamaica-ahead-sandy|access-date=November 26, 2012|newspaper=Associated Press|date=October 23, 2012}} Shortly after Jamaica issued its first watch on October 22, the Government of Haiti issued a tropical storm watch for Haiti.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public.002.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 2|author=Richard Pasch|date=October 22, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 24, 2012}} By late October 23, it was modified to a tropical storm warning.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public_a.005.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 5A|author=Richard Pasch|date=October 23, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 24, 2012}}

The Government of Cuba posted a hurricane watch for the Cuban Provinces of Camagüey, Granma, Guantánamo, Holguín, Las Tunas, and Santiago de Cuba at 1500 UTC on October 23. Only three hours later, the hurricane watch was switched to a hurricane warning.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public.006.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 6|author=Richard Pasch|date=October 23, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 24, 2012}} The Government of the Bahamas, at 1500 UTC on October 23, issued a tropical storm watch for several Bahamian islands, including the Acklins, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Exuma, Inagua, Long Cay, Long Island, Mayaguana, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador Island. Later that day, another tropical storm watch was issued for Abaco Islands, Andros Island, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, and New Providence. By early on October 24, the tropical storm watch for Cat Island, Exuma, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador was upgraded to a tropical storm warning.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public.007.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Sandy Advisory Number 7|author=John Beven II|date=October 24, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 24, 2012}}

At 1515 UTC on October 26, the Bermuda Weather Service issued a tropical storm watch for Bermuda, reflecting the enormous size of the storm and the anticipated wide-reaching impacts.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.update.10261513.shtml?|title=Hurricane Sandy Tropical Cyclone Update|author=Richard Pasch|date=October 26, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 26, 2012}}

File:White House teleconference for Hurricane Sandy.jpg conference with FEMA and Department of Homeland Security in preparation for arrival of the hurricane.]]

{{wikinews|U.S. prepares for arrival of Hurricane Sandy}}

Much of the East Coast of the United States, in Mid-Atlantic and New England regions, had a good chance of receiving gale-force winds, flooding, heavy rain and possibly snow early in the week of October 28 from an unusual hybrid of Hurricane Sandy and a winter storm producing a Fujiwhara effect.{{cite news|title=Forecasters warn East Coast about 'Frankenstorm' next week; damage could top $1 billion|agency=Associated Press|publisher=FoxNews.com|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/forecasters-warn-east-coast-about-frankenstorm-next-week-damage-could-top-1-billion|date=October 25, 2012|access-date=October 4, 2013}} Government weather forecasters said there was a 90% chance that the East Coast would be impacted by the storm. Jim Cisco of the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center coined the term "Frankenstorm", as Sandy was expected to merge with a storm front a few days before Halloween.{{cite news|last=Borenstein|first=Seth|title=East Coast braces for monster 'Frankenstorm'|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/east-coast-readies-frankenstorm-monster|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 26, 2012|archive-date=October 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031140525/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/east-coast-readies-frankenstorm-monster}}{{cite web |last=Cisco |first=Jim |title=Extended Forecast Discussion – Issued 1342Z Oct 25, 2012 |url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc%3Dpmdepd%26version%3D1%26fmt%3Dreg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029075612/http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdepd&version=1&fmt=reg |archive-date=October 29, 2012 |publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center |access-date=October 26, 2012 |date=October 25, 2012 }}{{cite news|last=Borenstein|first=Seth|title=Forecasters warn East Coast about 'Frankenstorm' next week; damage could top $1 billion|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/trick-no-treat-forecasters-predict-pre-halloween-freak-hurricane-winter-storm-mix-for-east/2012/10/25/4934cd26-1e6e-11e2-8817-41b9a7aaabc7_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103065955/http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/trick-no-treat-forecasters-predict-pre-halloween-freak-hurricane-winter-storm-mix-for-east/2012/10/25/4934cd26-1e6e-11e2-8817-41b9a7aaabc7_story.html|archive-date=November 3, 2012|access-date=October 26, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 25, 2012|agency=Associated Press}} As coverage continued, several media outlets began eschewing this term in favor of "superstorm".{{cite news|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/10/29/top-5-reasons-hurricane-sandy-is-superstorm/?intcmp=related|title=Hurricane Sandy: Five Reasons It's a Superstorm|agency=Associated Press|date=October 29, 2012|access-date=October 29, 2012|work=Fox News}}{{cite news|first=Patrick Kevin |last=Day |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-frankenstorm-wont-be-spoken-on-cnn-20121026,0,1668678.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121004640/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-frankenstorm-wont-be-spoken-on-cnn-20121026%2C0%2C1668678.story |title=No 'Frankenstorm' for CNN |date=October 26, 2012 |access-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times }} Utilities and governments along the East Coast attempted to head off long-term power failures Sandy might cause. Power companies from the Southeast to New England alerted independent contractors to be ready to help repair storm damaged equipment quickly and asked employees to cancel vacations and work longer hours. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University, using a computer model built on power outage data from previous hurricanes, conservatively forecast that 10 million customers along the Eastern Seaboard would lose power from the storm.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/cause-for-concern-the-7-most-alarming-hurricane-sandy-images/2012/10/28/615bbbfe-210b-11e2-ac85-e669876c6a24_blog.html|title=Cause for concern: the 7 most alarming Hurricane Sandy images|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=October 28, 2012|first=Jason|last=Samenow|date=October 28, 2012}}

File:President Obama discusses preparations for Hurricane Sandy.ogv

Through regional offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) monitored Sandy, closely coordinating with state and tribal emergency management partners in Florida and the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and New England states.{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Lars|date=October 25, 2012|title=Closely Monitoring Hurricane Sandy|url=http://www.fema.gov/blog/2012-10-25/closely-monitoring-hurricane-sandy|publisher=FEMA|access-date=October 26, 2012}} President Obama signed emergency declarations on October 28 for several states expected to be impacted by Sandy, allowing them to request federal aid and make additional preparations in advance of the storm.{{cite news|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/28/sandy-bringing-life-threatening-storm-surge|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028200031/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/28/sandy-bringing-life-threatening-storm-surge/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 28, 2012|title=It's watch and wait as Hurricane Sandy approaches|publisher=News.blogs.cnn.com|access-date=October 29, 2012|date=October 28, 2012}} Flight cancellations and travel alerts on the U.S. East Coast were put in place in the Mid-Atlantic and the New England areas.{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy wreaks havoc on airline flights|url=http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-10-26/finance/34742723_1_change-fees-flight-cancellations-travel-alert|publisher=The Wall St. Journal|access-date=October 28, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128102129/http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-10-26/finance/34742723_1_change-fees-flight-cancellations-travel-alert|archive-date=January 28, 2013}} Over 5,000 commercial airline flights scheduled for October 28 and 29 were canceled by the afternoon of October 28{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/28/hurricane-sandy-flight-ca_n_2034717.html|title=Hurricane Sandy Flight Cancellations: Thousands Of Flights Canceled Due To Storm|publisher=Huffingtonpost.com|access-date=October 29, 2012|date=October 28, 2012}} and Amtrak canceled some services through October 29 in preparation for the storm.{{cite web|title=Amtrak begins to cancel some service in advance of Hurricane Sandy|url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251622929950|publisher=Amtrak|access-date=October 28, 2012}} In addition, the National Guard and U.S. Air Force put as many as 45,000 personnel in at least seven states on alert for possible duty in response to the preparations and aftermath of Sandy.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Sandy Barrels Northward, May Hit New Jersey|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-26/widespread-power-outages-likely-as-sandy-slams-into-east.html|publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=October 28, 2012|first1=Brian K|last1=Sullivan|first2=Dan|last2=Hart|date=October 28, 2012}}

File:Sandy 2012-10-28 1600Z.jpg coast seen at the bottom of the image and the outline of the coast of Maine at the top right.]]

Schools on the Treasure Coast announced closures for October 26 in anticipation of Sandy.{{cite news|title=Updated: Hurricane Sandy closings and cancellations|url=http://www.cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_2779.shtml|publisher=WPEC-TV|last1=Man|first1=Karl|last2=Smith|first2=Scott T.|last3=Wright|first3=Michele|access-date=October 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027110727/http://www.cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_2779.shtml|archive-date=October 27, 2012}}

At 0900 UTC on October 26, a tropical storm watch was issued from the mouth of the Savannah River in South Carolina to Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, including Pamlico Sound.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public.016.shtml?|title=Hurricane Sandy Advisory Number 16|author=Michael Brennan|date=October 26, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=December 13, 2012}} Twelve hours later, the portion of the tropical storm watch from the Santee River in South Carolina to Duck, North Carolina, including Pamlico Sound, was upgraded to a warning.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public.018.shtml?|title=Hurricane Sandy Advisory Number 18|author=Richard Pasch|date=October 26, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=December 13, 2012}} Governor of North Carolina Beverly Perdue declared a state of emergency for 38 eastern counties on October 26, which took effect on the following day.{{cite web|title=Perdue declares state of emergency before Sandy arrives|url=http://www.wral.com/sandy-prompts-tropical-storm-watches-along-nc-coast/11703675/|publisher=WRAL.com|access-date=October 26, 2012|date=October 26, 2012}} By October 29, the state of emergency was extended to 24 counties in western North Carolina, with up to {{Convert|12|in|cm|abbr=on}} of snow attributed to Sandy anticipated in higher elevations. The National Park Service closed at least five sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway.{{cite web|title=Perdue declares state of emergency for Western NC|url=http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20121029/ARTICLES/121029763/1008/sports?Title=Perdue-declares-state-of-emergency-for-Western-NC|publisher=WRAL.com|access-date=October 29, 2012}}

On October 26, Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell declared a state of emergency. The U.S. Navy sent more than twenty-seven ships and forces to sea from Naval Station Norfolk for their protection. Governor McDonnell authorized the National Guard to activate 630 personnel ahead of the storm.{{cite news |title=National Guard soldiers activated for Hurricane Sandy |url=http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/10/ap-national-guard-activates-750-in-pa-for-sandy-102912/ |newspaper=Army Times |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117082913/http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/10/ap-national-guard-activates-750-in-pa-for-sandy-102912/ |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |access-date=July 24, 2019 }} Republican Party presidential candidate Mitt Romney canceled campaign appearances scheduled for October 28 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and New Hampshire October 30 because of Sandy. Vice President Joe Biden canceled his appearance on October 27 in Virginia Beach and an October 29 campaign event in New Hampshire.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Sandy scrambles campaign schedule, Romney cancels Virginia rallies|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hurricane-sandy-scrambles-campaign-schedule-romney-cancels-virginia-rallies/|publisher=Fox News|access-date=October 28, 2012|date=October 27, 2012}} President Barack Obama canceled a campaign stop with former President Bill Clinton in Virginia scheduled for October 29, as well as a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado, the next day because of the impending storm.{{cite news|title=Obama cancels stops in Virginia, Colorado because of storm |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sns-rt-us-usa-campaign-obama-travelbre89r01a-20121027,0,6494814.story |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030181816/http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sns-rt-us-usa-campaign-obama-travelbre89r01a-20121027%2C0%2C6494814.story |archive-date=October 30, 2012 }}

On October 26, Mayor of Washington, D.C. Vincent Gray declared a state of emergency,{{cite news|url=http://mayor.dc.gov/release/district-government-prepares-hurricane-sandys-effectsuhf|title=District Government Prepares for Hurricane Sandy|date=October 26, 2012|publisher=DC.gov|access-date=December 13, 2012}} which President Obama signed on October 28.{{cite news|url=http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/10/28/obama-signs-d-c-emergency-declaration-due-to-sandy/|title=Pres. Obama Signs D.C. Emergency Declaration|agency=Associated Press|date=October 28, 2012|newspaper=CBS DC|access-date=December 13, 2012}} The United States Office of Personnel Management announced federal offices in the Washington, D.C. area would be closed to the public on October 29–30.{{cite web|url=http://www.opm.gov/status/|title=Federal Government Operating Status Washington D.C. Area|access-date=October 29, 2012}} In addition, Washington D.C. Metro service, both rail and bus, was canceled on October 29 due to expected high winds, the likelihood of widespread power outages, and the closing of the federal government.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/metro-system-to-shut-down-on-monday/2012/10/28/2d1ee2be-2154-11e2-ac85-e669876c6a24_story.html?hpid=z2|title=Metro system to shut down on Monday|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=October 28, 2012|first=Martin|last=Weil|date=October 28, 2012}} The Smithsonian Institution closed for the day of October 29.{{cite news|title=A state-by-state look at the East Coast superstorm|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/state-state-look-east-coast-superstorm#overlay-context=article/report-iran-has-drone-pictures-israeli-bases|agency=AP|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030024116/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/state-state-look-east-coast-superstorm#overlay-context=article/report-iran-has-drone-pictures-israeli-bases}}

Governor of Maryland Martin O'Malley declared a state of emergency on October 26.{{cite news|title=Northeast in crosshairs of 'superstorm' Sandy|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/26/us/tropical-weather-sandy/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 26, 2012|date=October 27, 2012}} By the following day, Smith Island residents were evacuated with the assistance of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, Dorchester County opened two shelters for those in flood prone areas, and Ocean City initiated Phase I of their Emergency Operations Plan.{{cite web|title=Smith Island Evacuations Under Way|url=http://www.wboc.com/story/19931873/smith-island-evacuations-under-way|publisher=WBOC|access-date=October 27, 2012|archive-date=March 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322052233/http://www.wboc.com/story/19931873/smith-island-evacuations-under-way}}{{cite web|title=Dorchester County Offering Shelter During Hurricane Sandy|url=http://www.wboc.com/story/19932131/dorchester-county-offering-shelter-during-hurricane-sandy|publisher=WBOC|access-date=October 27, 2012|archive-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030230832/http://www.wboc.com/story/19932131/dorchester-county-offering-shelter-during-hurricane-sandy}}{{cite web|title=O.C. Implementing Phase I of Emergency Operations Plan|url=http://www.wboc.com/story/19932081/oc-implementing-phase-i-of-emergency-operations-plan|publisher=WBOC|access-date=October 27, 2012|archive-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030003157/http://www.wboc.com/story/19932081/oc-implementing-phase-i-of-emergency-operations-plan}} Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. put workers on standby and made plans to bring in crews from other states. On October 28, President Obama declared an emergency in Maryland and signed an order authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to aid in disaster relief efforts.{{cite web|title=Obama Signs Maryland Emergency Declaration|url=http://www.wboc.com/story/19936125/obama-signs-md-emergency-declaration|publisher=WBOC|access-date=October 28, 2012|archive-date=October 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031010550/http://www.wboc.com/story/19936125/obama-signs-md-emergency-declaration}} Also, numerous areas were ordered to be evacuated including part of Ocean City, Worcester County, Wicomico County, and Somerset County.{{cite web|title=Worcester County Issues Mandatory Evacuations |url=http://www.wmdt.com/story/19936130/worcester-county-issues-mandatory-evacuations |publisher=WMDT |access-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030135141/http://www.wmdt.com/story/19936130/worcester-county-issues-mandatory-evacuations |archive-date=October 30, 2012 }}{{cite web|title=Ocean City Declares Local State Of Emergency |url=http://www.wmdt.com/story/19935547/ocean-city-declares-local-state-of-emergency |publisher=WMDT |access-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030135248/http://www.wmdt.com/story/19935547/ocean-city-declares-local-state-of-emergency |archive-date=October 30, 2012 |last1=Hill |first1=Jarred }} Officials warned that more than a hundred million tons of dirty sediment mixed with tree limbs and debris floating behind Conowingo Dam could eventually pour into the Chesapeake Bay, posing a potential environmental threat.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/sandy-poses-environmental-threat-to-chesapeake-bay/2012/10/27/64bb8630-1fb2-11e2-9cd5-b55c38388962_story.html|title=Sandy poses environmental threat to Conowingo Dam|date=October 27, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Darryl|last=Fears}}

The Maryland Transit Administration canceled all service for October 29 and 30. The cancellations applied to buses, light rail, and Amtrak and MARC train service.{{cite web|title=MTA Suspends Bus & Train Service On Monday; BWI Delaying & Canceling Flights Due To Hurricane Sandy|url=http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/10/28/hurricane-sandy-disrupts-travel-across-md-marc-trains-canceled-for-monday|publisher=CBS News Baltimore|access-date=October 29, 2012|date=October 28, 2012}} On October 29, six shelters opened in Baltimore, and early voting was canceled for the day. Maryland Insurance Commissioner Therese M. Goldsmith activated an emergency regulation requiring pharmacies to refill prescriptions regardless of their last refill date.{{cite web|title=Insurance Commissioner Issues Emergency Regulation Regarding Prescriptions, Pharmacy Payments |url=http://www.mdinsurance.state.md.us/sa/news-center/hurricane-sandy-bulletin.html |publisher=Maryland Insurance Administration |access-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029235449/http://www.mdinsurance.state.md.us/sa/news-center/hurricane-sandy-bulletin.html |archive-date=October 29, 2012 }} On October 29, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge over the Chesapeake Bay and the Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge and Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge over the Susquehanna River were closed to traffic in the midday hours.{{cite web|title=Chesapeake Bay Bridge Now Closed|url=http://www.wboc.com/story/19944902/chesapeake-bay-bridge-now-clo|publisher=WBOC TV|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-date=November 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101033639/http://www.wboc.com/story/19944902/chesapeake-bay-bridge-now-clo}}

On October 28, Governor Markell declared a state of emergency, with coastal areas of Sussex County evacuated. In preparation for the storm, the Delaware Department of Transportation suspended some weekend construction projects, removed traffic cones and barrels from construction sites, and removed several span-wire overhead signs in Sussex County.{{cite web|title=DelDOT is preparing for a possible major storm|publisher=Delaware Department of Transportation|date=October 26, 2012|url=http://www.deldot.gov/home/newsroom/release.shtml?id=4518|access-date=July 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213738/http://www.deldot.gov/home/newsroom/release.shtml?id=4518|archive-date=September 23, 2015}} Delaware Route 1 through Delaware Seashore State Park was closed due to flooding.{{cite web|url=http://www.wboc.com/story/19937625/sussex-county|title=Sussex County Update on Hurricane Sandy|date=October 28, 2012|publisher=WBOC-TV|access-date=October 28, 2012|archive-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030230835/http://www.wboc.com/story/19937625/sussex-county}} Delaware roads were closed to the public, except for emergency and essential personnel,{{cite web|title=Delaware roads closed to public after 5 a.m|url=https://6abc.com/archive/8863176/|publisher=6 Action News|access-date=October 29, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030174032/http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8863176|archive-date=October 30, 2012}} and tolls on I-95 and Delaware Route 1 were waived.{{cite web|title=Tolls Waived on I-95 and Route One|url=http://www.deldot.gov/home/newsroom/release.shtml?id=4522|publisher=State of Delaware|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103053332/http://www.deldot.gov/home/newsroom/release.shtml?id=4522|archive-date=November 3, 2012}} DART First State transit service was also suspended during the storm.{{cite web|title=DART & Paratransit Service Suspended Monday|publisher=Delaware Department of Transportation|date=October 28, 2012|url=http://www.deldot.gov/home/newsroom/release.shtml?id=4519|access-date=July 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213740/http://www.deldot.gov/home/newsroom/release.shtml?id=4519|archive-date=September 23, 2015}}

File:NJ National Guard Prepares for Hurricane Sandy.jpg's 108th Wing assemble before being sent to assist at various emergency shelters.]]

Image:HurricaneSANDYCheltenham.jpg.]]

Preparations began on October 26, when officials in Cape May County advised residents on barrier islands to evacuate. There were also voluntary evacuations for Mantoloking, Bay Head, Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach, Ship Bottom, and Stafford in Ocean County.{{cite news|agency=Asbury Park Press|title=Ocean County towns issue voluntary evacuations|date=October 27, 2012|access-date=October 27, 2012|url=http://www.app.com/article/20121026/NJNEWS/310260086/Ocean-County-towns-issue-voluntary-evacuations}}{{cite news|agency=ABC7|title=Shore towns issue voluntary evac orders|date=October 26, 2012|access-date=October 26, 2012|url=https://abc7ny.com/archive/8860237/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029075742/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=weather&id=8860237|archive-date=October 29, 2012}}{{cite news|publisher=Point Pleasant Patch|title=Bay Head and Mantoloking Advising Voluntary Evacuations. Mantoloking police department urging residents to leave ahead of Sandy|date=October 26, 2012|author=Denise DiStephan|access-date=October 27, 2012|url=http://pointpleasant.patch.com/articles/mantoloking-advising-voluntary-evacuations}} Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie ordered all residents of barrier islands from Sandy Hook to Cape May to evacuate and closed Atlantic City casinos. Tolls were suspended on the northbound Garden State Parkway and the westbound Atlantic City Expressway starting at 6 a.m. on October 28.{{cite news|agency=CBS2|title=Christie Declares State of Emergency; Orders Evacuations In Some Parts of N.J|date=October 27, 2012|access-date=October 27, 2012|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/27/evacuations-begin-in-some-areas-of-new-jersey-for-hurricane-sandy/}} President Obama signed an emergency declaration for New Jersey, allowing the state to request federal funding and other assistance for actions taken before Sandy's landfall.{{cite web|title=President signs emergency declaration for NJ|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/president-signs-emergency-declaration-for-nj-1.4162619|work=Newsday|access-date=October 29, 2012}}

On October 28, Mayor of Hoboken Dawn Zimmer ordered residents of basement and street-level residential units to evacuate, due to possible flooding.{{cite web|title=Hoboken mayor announces evacuation of all basements and street-level residences|url=http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2012/10/hoboken_mayor_announces_evacua.html|publisher=NewJersey.com|access-date=October 29, 2012|date=October 29, 2012}} On October 29, residents of Logan Township were ordered to evacuate.{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy: Parts of Logan Township issued evacuation order|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2012/10/portions_of_logan_township_iss.html|date=October 29, 2012}} Jersey Central Power & Light told employees to prepare to work extended shifts.{{cite magazine|title=Eastern utilities brace for expected super storm|url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/eastern-utilities-brace-for-expected-super-storm/article/feed/2042415#.UIofOm_WIm8|magazine=The Washington Examiner|access-date=October 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006202623/http://washingtonexaminer.com/eastern-utilities-brace-for-expected-super-storm/article/feed/2042415#.UIofOm_WIm8|archive-date=October 6, 2013}} Most schools, colleges and universities were closed October 29 while at least 509 out of 580 school districts were closed October 30.{{cite web|title=Sandy makes landfall near Atlantic City; 348K N.J. homes without power|url=http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local//item/46253-power-outages-spread-as-sandy-accelerates-toward-new-jersey-shore/|publisher=NewsWorks|access-date=October 29, 2012|date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504104638/http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local//item/46253-power-outages-spread-as-sandy-accelerates-toward-new-jersey-shore/|archive-date=May 4, 2013}} Although tropical storm conditions were inevitable and hurricane-force winds were likely, the National Hurricane Center did not issue any tropical cyclone watches or warnings for New Jersey, because Sandy was forecast to become extratropical before landfall and thus would not be a tropical cyclone.{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/11/experts_wonder_why_nhc_never_i.html|title=Experts wonder why hurricane warning was never issued for N.J. as Sandy approached|author=Stephen Stirling|date=November 1, 2012|newspaper=The Star-Ledger (New Jersey On-Line)|access-date=December 12, 2012}}

Preparations in Pennsylvania began when Governor Tom Corbett declared a state of emergency on October 26. Mayor of Philadelphia Michael Nutter asked residents in low-lying areas and neighborhoods prone to flooding to leave their homes by 1800 UTC October 28 and move to safer ground.{{cite web|title=Philly Mayor Tells People in Flood-Prone Areas to Leave|date=October 26, 2012 |url=http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Hurricane-Sandy-Philly-Mayor-urges-flood-prone-get-out-176007091.html|publisher=NBC 10 Philadelphia|access-date=October 26, 2012}} The Philadelphia International Airport suspended all flight operations for October 29.{{cite web|title=Phila. Airport flights to be suspended Monday|url=https://6abc.com/archive/8863944/|publisher=6 Action News|access-date=October 29, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030074003/http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8863944|archive-date=October 30, 2012}} On October 29, Philadelphia shut down its mass transit system. On October 28, Mayor of Harrisburg Linda D. Thompson declared a state of disaster emergency for the city to go into effect at 5 a.m. October 29. Electric utilities in the state brought in crews and equipment from other states such as New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, to assist with restoration efforts.{{cite web|title=Central Pennsylvania prepares for Hurricane Sandy|url=http://www.witf.org/news/2012/10/central-pennsylvania-prepares-for-hurricane-sandy.php|publisher=WITF TV|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-date=October 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031022159/http://www.witf.org/news/2012/10/central-pennsylvania-prepares-for-hurricane-sandy.php}}

{{main|Effects of Hurricane Sandy in New York}}

File:MTA Service Alert - Hurricane Sandy service cancellations.jpg service alerts, posted in subway stations on October 26, urged travelers to be alert for future evacuation orders or service suspension announcements.]]

Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a statewide state of emergency and asked for a pre-disaster declaration on October 26,{{cite web|title=NYC shutting down transit, evacuating 375,000|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cuomo-orders-nyc-transit-system-to-shut-down-2012-10-28?link=MW_latest_news|work=The Wall Street Journal| date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=October 29, 2012}} which President Obama signed later that day.{{cite web|title=Obama Signs Emergency Declaration For State Of New York|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/28/obama-signs-emergency-declaration-for-state-of-new-york/|publisher=CBS News New York|access-date=October 29, 2012|date=October 28, 2012}} By October 27, major carriers canceled all flights into and out of JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark-Liberty airports, and Metro North and the Long Island Rail Road suspended service.{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy forces mass transit closure, evacuations |url=http://www.myfoxny.com/story/19933026/mta-subways-ready-for-hurricane-sandy |publisher=MyFoxNY |access-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029094330/http://www.myfoxny.com/story/19933026/mta-subways-ready-for-hurricane-sandy |archive-date=October 29, 2012 }} The Tappan Zee Bridge was closed,{{cite web|title=3:15 p.m.: 'Tappan Zee Bridge to close at 4; 'Significant' storm surge expected to peak at midnight; Metro-North reports on tracks|url=http://www.lohud.com/viewart/20121029/NEWS02/310290065/3-05-p-m-Tappan-Zee-Bridge-to-close-at-4-Significant-storm-surge-expected-to-peak-at-midnight-Metro-North-reports-on-tracks?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE|publisher=lohud.com|access-date=October 29, 2012}} and later the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and Holland Tunnel were also closed.{{cite news |title=Two key New York City tunnels closing; bridges open for now: governor |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-storm-sandy-tunnels-idUSBRE89S0P320121029 |work=Reuters |date=October 29, 2012 |access-date=October 29, 2012 |first=Paul |last=Thomasch}} On Long Island, an evacuation was ordered for South Shore, including areas south of Sunrise Highway, north of Route 25A, and in elevations of less than {{convert|16|ft|m}} above sea level on the North Shore.{{cite web|title=Nassau County calls for evacuations in coastal areas|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=weather&id=8860224|publisher=WABC TV|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106043323/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=weather&id=8860224|archive-date=November 6, 2012}} In Suffolk County, mandatory evacuations were ordered for residents of Fire Island and six towns.{{cite web|title=Evacuations on Long Island ahead of Sandy|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=weather&id=8860224|publisher=WABC TV|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106043323/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=weather&id=8860224|archive-date=November 6, 2012}} Most schools closed in Nassau and Suffolk counties on October 29.{{cite web|title=Nassau Community, Molloy, Hofstra, Adelphi cancel classes|date=October 28, 2012 |url=http://www.liherald.com/valleystream/stories/Nassau-Community-Hofstra-cancel-classes,44131|publisher=Valley Stream Herald |access-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006125948/http://www.liherald.com/valleystream/stories/Nassau-Community-Hofstra-cancel-classes%2C44131 |archive-date=October 6, 2013}}

File:Hugh L. Carey Tunnel during Hurricane Sandy vc.jpg remained flooded on the Tuesday morning after the storm.]]

New York City began taking precautions on October 26. Governor Cuomo ordered the closure of MTA and its subway on October 28, and the MTA suspended all subway, bus, and commuter rail service beginning at 2300 UTC.{{cite news|last=Mann|first=Ted|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204840504578084582421401190|title=New York City Subways to Shut Down|publisher=Online.wsj.com|access-date=October 28, 2012|date=October 28, 2012}} After Hurricane Irene nearly submerged subways and tunnels in 2011,{{cite news |last=Navarro |first=Mireya |title=New York Is Lagging as Seas and Risks Rise, Critics Warn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/nyregion/new-york-faces-rising-seas-and-slow-city-action.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0 |newspaper=New York Times |access-date=November 3, 2012 |date=September 10, 2012 |quote=Irene .. one foot short of paralyzing transportation}} entrances and grates were covered just before Sandy, but were still flooded.{{cite news|last=Caruso |first=David B. |title=Crippled NYC subways could hamper storm recovery |url=https://news.yahoo.com/crippled-nyc-subways-could-hamper-storm-recovery-213709153.html |agency=Associated Press |access-date=November 3, 2012 |date=October 30, 2012 |work=Yahoo news}} PATH train service and stations as well as the Port Authority Bus Terminal were shut down in the early morning hours of October 29.

Later on October 28, officials activated the coastal emergency plan, with subway closings and the evacuation of residents in areas hit by Hurricane Irene in 2011. More than 76 evacuation shelters were open around the city. On October 28, Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered that all public schools be closed on Monday{{cite web|title=New York City schools, transit close ahead of Sandy|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=weather&id=8860157|publisher=WABC TV|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029233502/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=weather&id=8860157|archive-date=October 29, 2012}} and announced a mandatory evacuation of Zone A, which comprised areas near coastlines or waterways.{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2012 |title=Mayor Bloomberg Issues Order for Mandatory Evacuation of Low-Lying Areas As Hurricane Sandy Approaches |url=https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/377-12/mayor-bloomberg-issues-order-mandatory-evacuation-low-lying-areas-hurricane-sandy |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=The official website of the City of New York}} Additionally, 200 National Guard troops were deployed in the city.{{cite web|title=Transit Systems, Schools Plan Closings Ahead Of Sandy's Arrival |url=http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/171503/transit-systems--schools-plan-closings-ahead-of-sandy-s-arrival?ap=1&MP4 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130063509/http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/171503/transit-systems--schools-plan-closings-ahead-of-sandy-s-arrival?ap=1&MP4 |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |publisher=NY1 |access-date=October 29, 2012 }} NYU Langone Medical Center canceled all surgeries and medical procedures, except for emergency procedures. Additionally, one of NYU Langone Medical Center's backup generators failed on October 29, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of patients, including those from the hospital's various intensive care units.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/superstorm-sandy-tests-hospital-preparedness/story?id=17597034#.UJEe1G_LTWo|title= Superstorm Sandy Tests Hospital Preparedness|author=Katie Moisse|author2=Sydney Lupkin|publisher=ABC News|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=November 3, 2012}} U.S. stock trading was suspended for October 29 to 30.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sandy-keeps-financial-markets-closed-tuesday/|title=Sandy keeps financial markets closed Tuesday|publisher=CBS News|access-date=October 30, 2012}}

File:Flooding in Marblehead Massachusetts caused by Hurricane Sandy.jpg, caused by Hurricane Sandy on October 29.]]

Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy partially activated the state's Emergency Operations Center on October 26{{cite web|title=Governor Malloy to Partially Activate the State Emergency Operations Center at 8am Saturday|url=http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?A=4010&Q=513076|work=Hurricane Sandy News and Information|publisher=CT.gov|access-date=October 27, 2012}} and signed a Declaration of Emergency the next day.{{cite web|title=Gov. Malloy Signs Declaration of Emergency|url=http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?Q=513088&A=4010|work=Hurricane Sandy News and Information|publisher=CT.gov|access-date=October 27, 2012}} On October 28, President Obama approved Connecticut's request for an emergency declaration, and hundreds of National Guard personnel were deployed.{{cite web|title=Obama approves pre-landfall emergency declaration for Connecticut|url=http://www.thehour.com/news/state/obama-approves-pre-landfall-emergency-declaration-for-connecticut/article_a5384ada-2175-11e2-8370-0019bb30f31a.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205141732/http://www.thehour.com/news/state/obama-approves-pre-landfall-emergency-declaration-for-connecticut/article_a5384ada-2175-11e2-8370-0019bb30f31a.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2013|work=The Hour|access-date=October 29, 2012|date=October 28, 2012}} On October 29, Governor Malloy ordered road closures for all state highways.{{cite web|title=All Connecticut highways closed as Sandy approaches|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=weather&id=8861658|publisher=WABC TV|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029075738/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=weather&id=8861658|archive-date=October 29, 2012}} Numerous mandatory and partial evacuations were issued in cities across Connecticut.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctnow.com/weather/hurricane/hc-townbytown-evacuations-20121028,0,1651268.story|title=Town-By-Town Evacuations|work=CTnow |date=October 28, 2012|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030211934/http://www.ctnow.com/weather/hurricane/hc-townbytown-evacuations-20121028,0,1651268.story|archive-date=October 30, 2012 |last1=Courant |first1=Hartford }}

File:Gov. Malloy on phone with President Obama discussing Hurricane Sandy (8131727537) (1).jpg discusses the hurricane on the phone with President Obama on October 28 from the State Emergency Operations Center]]

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick ordered state offices to be closed October 29 and recommended schools and private businesses close. On October 28, President Obama issued a Pre-Landfall Emergency Declaration for Massachusetts. Several shelters were opened, and many schools were closed.{{cite web|title=Mass. Braces For Hurricane Sandy|date=October 28, 2012 |url=http://www.wbur.org/2012/10/28/sandy-mass3|publisher=WBUR Radio|access-date=October 29, 2012}} The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shut down all services on the afternoon of October 29.{{cite news|title=Boston's MBTA to shut down at 2 pm|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/10/29/boston-mbta-shut-down/u0FHc2jxvujsLu0L92rdqJ/story.html|publisher=Boston.com|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101025314/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/10/29/boston-mbta-shut-down/u0FHc2jxvujsLu0L92rdqJ/story.html|archive-date=November 1, 2012}} On October 28, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch, and Maine's Governor Paul LePage all declared states of emergency.{{cite web|last=Goswami|first=Neal|title=Vt. in state of emergency ahead of Sandy|url=http://www.benningtonbanner.com/news/ci_21877376/vt-state-emergency-ahead-sandy|work=The Bennington Banner|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-date=May 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503003855/http://www.benningtonbanner.com/news/ci_21877376/vt-state-emergency-ahead-sandy}}{{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Holly|title=Gov. LePage signs emergency declaration ahead of Sandy|date=October 26, 2012 |url=http://www.penbaypilot.com/article/gov-lepage-signs-emergency-declaration-ahead-sandy/4958|publisher=penbaypilot.com|access-date=October 27, 2012}}

File:Sandy 2012 snowfall.gif

The National Weather Service issued a storm warning for Lake Huron on October 29 that called for wave heights of {{convert|26|ft|m}}, and possibly as high as {{convert|38|ft|m}}. Lake Michigan waves were expected to reach {{convert|19|ft|m}}, with a potential of {{convert|33|ft|m}} on October 30. Flood warnings were issued in Chicago on October 29, where wave heights were expected to reach {{convert|18|to|23|ft|m}} in Cook County and {{convert|25|ft|m}} in northwest Indiana.{{cite web|title=Sandy's Winds And Rain Cause Flood Warnings, Flight And Train Cancellations|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/10/29/sandys-winds-and-rain-cause-flood-warnings-flight-and-train-cancellations/|publisher=CBS News Chicago|access-date=October 29, 2012|date=October 29, 2012}} Gale warnings were issued for Lake Michigan and Green Bay in Wisconsin until the morning of October 31, and waves of {{convert|33|ft|m}} in Milwaukee and {{convert|20|ft|m}} in Sheboygan were predicted for October 30. The actual waves reached about {{convert|20|ft|m}} but were less damaging than expected.{{cite news|last=Robbins|first=John|title=Superstorm waves cause little damage along Lake Michigan shoreline|url=http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/lake/16086637-418/superstorm-waves-cause-little-damage-along-lake-michigan-shoreline.html|newspaper=Post-Tribune|date=November 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105033715/http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/lake/16086637-418/superstorm-waves-cause-little-damage-along-lake-michigan-shoreline.html|archive-date=November 5, 2012}}{{cite news|last=Srubas|first=Paul|title=Wisconsin gets a taste of Sandy's fury|url=http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20121031/APC0101/310310417/Wisconsin-gets-taste-Sandy-s-fury-story-photos-video-?nclick_check=1|newspaper=Post-Crescent|date=October 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824124940/http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20121031/APC0101/310310417/Wisconsin-gets-taste-Sandy-s-fury-story-photos-video-?nclick_check=1|archive-date=August 24, 2014}} The village of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin urged a voluntary evacuation of its lakefront area, though few residents signed up, and little flooding actually occurred.{{cite news|url=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20121030/GPG0101/310300254/Sandy-s-reach-spreads-Wisconsin|title=Sandy's reach spreads to Wisconsin|newspaper=Green Bay Press Gazette|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|first=Paul|last=Srubas}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Michigan was impacted by a winter storm system coming in from the west, mixing with cold air streams from the Arctic and colliding with Hurricane Sandy.{{cite news|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121029/METRO/210290378/Hurricane-Sandy-carries-high-winds-big-waves-Michigan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE|title=Shipping on Great Lakes, flights to East Coast stopped by storm|work=The Detroit News|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103053513/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121029/METRO/210290378/Hurricane-Sandy-carries-high-winds-big-waves-Michigan?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE|archive-date=November 3, 2012}} The forecasts slowed shipping traffic on the Great Lakes, as some vessels sought shelter away from the peak winds, except those on Lake Superior.{{cite news|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121029/METRO/210290378/1409/Big-waves-Great-Lakes-Hurricane-Sandy-looms|title=Shipping on Great Lakes, flights to East Coast stopped by storm|newspaper=The Detroit News|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|last=Greenwood|first=Tom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103053509/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121029/METRO/210290378/1409/Big-waves-Great-Lakes-Hurricane-Sandy-looms|archive-date=November 3, 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/248235/|newspaper=Duluth News Tribune|title=Storm slows shipping on Great Lakes|last=Kuchera|first=Steve|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122090235/http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/248235/|archive-date=January 22, 2013}} Detroit-based DTE Energy released 100 contract line workers to assist utilities along the eastern U.S. with storm response, and Consumers Energy did the same with more than a dozen employees and 120 contract employees.{{cite web|url=http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/state/Copy_of_MISuperstorm-SandyMichigan-Utilities_30501611|title=56K without power in SE Michigan, utilities on alert for wind-related outages|publisher=Wxyz.com|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101025221/http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/state/Copy_of_MISuperstorm-SandyMichigan-Utilities_30501611|archive-date=November 1, 2012}} Due to the widespread power outages, numerous schools had to close, especially in St. Clair County and areas along Lake Huron north of Metro Detroit.{{cite web|url=http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/High-winds-knock-out-power-in-parts-of-Michigan/-/1719418/17186708/-/itbcirz/-/index.html|title=High winds knock out power in parts of Michigan|work=ClickOnDetroit |publisher=Clickondetroit.com|date=October 24, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203213822/http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/High-winds-knock-out-power-in-parts-of-Michigan/-/1719418/17186708/-/itbcirz/-/index.html|archive-date=December 3, 2012}}

As far as Ohio's western edge, areas were under a wind advisory.{{cite news|url=http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/wind-watch-and-advisory-in-effect-for-dayton-area/nSqcn/|title=Hurricane's winds, rain forcing local changes|publisher=WHIO-TV|date=October 28, 2012|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-date=November 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101010344/http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/wind-watch-and-advisory-in-effect-for-dayton-area/nSqcn/}} All departing flights at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport were canceled until October 30 at 3 p.m.{{cite news|title=For travelers, superstorm Sandy's aggravation spans globe|url=http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/weather/hurricane/for-travelers-superstorm-sandys-aggravation-spans-globe|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031132424/http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/weather/hurricane/for-travelers-superstorm-sandys-aggravation-spans-globe|archive-date=October 31, 2012}}

Governor of West Virginia Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency ahead of storm on October 29.{{cite news|title=West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declares state of emergency ahead of storm's full brunt|url=http://www.chron.com/news/article/West-Virginia-Gov-Earl-Ray-Tomblin-declares-3990475.php|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=October 29, 2012}} Up to {{convert|2|to|3|ft|m}} of snow was forecast for mountainous areas of the state.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/raw-sandy-bringing-snow-to-virginia/2012/10/29/b6e4f9fc-ac9d-41ce-a815-5344f0291307_video.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030024205/http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/raw-sandy-bringing-snow-to-virginia/2012/10/29/b6e4f9fc-ac9d-41ce-a815-5344f0291307_video.html|archive-date=October 30, 2012|title=Sandy brings snow to Virginia|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=October 29, 2012|date=October 29, 2012}}

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in Tennessee, several inches of snow led to the closure of a major route through the park on Sunday, October 28, and again, after a brief reopening, on Monday, October 29, 2012.{{cite web |title=Updated: As Hurricane Sandy Nears Land, National Park Service Closing Parks And Offices |url=https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2012/10/updated-hurricane-sandy-nears-land-national-park-service-closing-parks-and-offices10742|work=National Parks Traveler | access-date=May 19, 2023}}

The Canadian Hurricane Centre issued its first preliminary statement for Hurricane Sandy on October 25 from Southern Ontario to the Canadian Maritimes,{{cite web|url=http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/hurricane/statements_e.html|title=Weather – Canadian Hurricane Information Statements|publisher=Weatheroffice.gc.ca|date=July 30, 2012|access-date=October 27, 2012|archive-date=November 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102092002/http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/hurricane/statements_e.html}} with the potential for heavy rain and strong winds.{{cite news|title=Heavy rain looms for Ontario and Quebec, plus snow possible early next week|first=Aly|last=Thomson|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/heavy-rain-looms-for-ontario-and-quebec-plus-snow-possible-early-next-week/article4713694|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=October 28, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|location=Toronto}} On October 29, Environment Canada issued severe wind warnings for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Valley corridor, from Southwestern Ontario as far as Quebec City.{{cite web|url=http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?on61|title=Weather Warnings – Environment Canada|publisher=Weatheroffice.gc.ca|date=July 30, 2012|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203648/http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?on61}} On October 30, Environment Canada issued storm surge warnings along the mouth of the St. Lawrence River.{{cite web|url=http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/sqc_e.html|title=Southern Quebec – Weather Warnings – Environment Canada|publisher=Weatheroffice.gc.ca|date=July 30, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106105146/http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/sqc_e.html|archive-date=November 6, 2012}} Rainfall warnings were issued for the Charlevoix region in Quebec, as well as for several counties in New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, where about {{convert|2|to|3|in|mm}} of rain was to be expected.{{cite web|url=http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?ns6|title=Yarmouth County – Weather Warnings – Environment Canada|publisher=Weatheroffice.gc.ca|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-date=November 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101153410/http://weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?ns6}}{{cite web|url=http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?ns5|title=Shelburne County – Weather Warnings – Environment Canada|publisher=Weatheroffice.gc.ca|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-date=November 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101084422/http://weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?ns5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?ns4|title=Queens County – Weather Warnings – Environment Canada|publisher=Weatheroffice.gc.ca|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-date=November 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101084418/http://weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?ns4}} Freezing rain warnings were issued for parts of Northern Ontario.{{cite web|title=Weather Warnings – Environment Canada|url=http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?on29|publisher=Environment Canada|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-date=November 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120174245/http://weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?on29}}

A total of 254 people were killed across the United States, the Caribbean, and Canada, as a result of the storm.{{cite news|first=Jonathan|last=Watts|newspaper=The Guardian|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=October 31, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy: Haiti in emergency aid plea as disaster piles upon disaster|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/30/hurricane-sandy-haiti-emergency-aid|location=London}}{{cite news|title=Sandy's death toll rises as Northeast begins recovery|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/31/superstorm-sandy/1670691/?sf6954310=1|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=November 1, 2012|first1=Gary|last1=Strauss|first2=Carolyn|last2=Pesce|date=October 31, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Sandy death toll in US rises to 109; 'there could be more,' Bloomberg warns|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/02/14884300-sandy-death-toll-in-us-rises-to-109-there-could-be-more-bloomberg-warns?lite|publisher=NBC News|access-date=November 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313204453/http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/02/14884300-sandy-death-toll-in-us-rises-to-109-there-could-be-more-bloomberg-warns?lite|archive-date=March 13, 2016}}

{{main|Effects of Hurricane Sandy in the Greater Antilles}}

Jamaica was the first country directly affected by Sandy, which was also the first hurricane to make landfall on the island since Hurricane Gilbert, which struck the island in 1988. Trees and power lines were snapped and shanty houses were heavily damaged, both from the winds and flooding rains. More than 100 fishermen were stranded in outlying Pedro Cays off Jamaica's southern coast.{{cite news|title=Weakened hurricane lashes Bahamas after 21 deaths|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/tropical-storm-tony-develops-far-out-atlantic|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 25, 2012|archive-date=October 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025040750/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/tropical-storm-tony-develops-far-out-atlantic}} Stones falling from a hillside crushed one man to death as he tried to get into his house in a rural village near Kingston.{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy Hits Cuba after Jamaica |url=http://news.sky.com/story/1002376/hurricane-sandy-brings-heavy-flooding-to-jamaica |publisher=Sky News |date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=October 25, 2012}} After 6 days another fatality recorded as a 27-year-old man, died due to electrocution, attempting a repair. The country's sole electricity provider, the Jamaica Public Service Company, reported that 70 percent of its customers were without power. More than 1,000 people went to shelters. Jamaican authorities closed the island's international airports, and police ordered 48-hour curfews in major towns to keep people off the streets and deter looting.{{cite news |title=Hurricane Sandy pounds Jamaica, heads toward Cuba |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-storm-sandy-hurricane-idUSBRE89N16J20121025 |work=Reuters|access-date=October 25, 2012 |date=October 25, 2012}} Most buildings in the eastern portion of the island lost their roofs. Damage was assessed at approximately $100 million throughout the country.

In Haiti, which was still recovering from both the 2010 earthquake and the 2010s cholera outbreak, a total of 75 people died,{{cite web|title=Haiti storm death toll to 54; up to 71 for region |url=http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/world_news/Haiti-raises-Sandy-death-toll-to-54_97311028 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121217200322/http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/world_news/Haiti-raises-Sandy-death-toll-to-54_97311028 |archive-date=December 17, 2012 |publisher=WAVY.com |access-date=November 1, 2012 }} and approximately 200,000 were left homeless as a result of four days of ongoing rain from Hurricane Sandy.{{cite web|last=Charles and Morgan|first=Jacqueline and Curtis|title=Sandy's death toll climbs to 44 in Haiti|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/10/27/3069750/sandy-still-a-hurricane-heads.html|work=The Miami Herald|access-date=October 28, 2012}} Heavy damage occurred in Port-Salut after rivers overflowed their banks.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Sandy pounds Jamaica, eyes U.S|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-sandy-pounds-jamaica-eyes-us/|publisher=CBS|access-date=October 24, 2012}} In the capital of Port-au-Prince, streets were flooded by the heavy rains, and it was reported that "the whole south of the country is underwater".{{cite news|title=65 dead as Hurricane Sandy crosses Caribbean; 'the whole south is under water,' says Haitian PM (with video) |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/Hurricane+Sandys+death+toll+rises+flooding+continues+Haiti/7460465/story.html |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |access-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103084337/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Hurricane%2BSandys%2Bdeath%2Btoll%2Brises%2Bflooding%2Bcontinues%2BHaiti/7460465/story.html |archive-date=November 3, 2012 }} Most of the tents and buildings in the city's sprawling refugee camps and the Cité Soleil neighborhood were flooded or leaking, a repeat of what happened earlier in the year during the passage of Hurricane Isaac.{{cite web|title=Soggy Jamaica cleaning up after Hurricane Sandy |url=http://www.adn.com/2012/10/25/2672037/soggy-jamaica-cleaning-up-after.html |work=Anchorage Daily News |access-date=October 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103051909/http://www.adn.com/2012/10/25/2672037/soggy-jamaica-cleaning-up-after.html |archive-date=November 3, 2012 }} Crops were also wiped out by the storm and the country would be making an appeal for emergency aid.{{cite web|title=Food Crisis, Cholera Feared in Haiti|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2012/10/30/food-crisis-cholera-feared-in-haiti.html|website=The Daily Beast|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 30, 2012}} Damage in Haiti was estimated at $750 million (2012 USD), making it the costliest tropical cyclone in Haitian history. In the month following Sandy, a resurgence of cholera linked to the storm killed at least 44 people and infected more than 5,000 others.{{cite web|work=Agence France-Presse|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=November 20, 2012|access-date=November 21, 2012|title=Haïti: 44 décès en un mois, le choléra en hausse après Sandy|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/ha%C3%AFti-44-d%C3%A9c%C3%A8s-en-un-mois-le-chol%C3%A9ra-en-hausse-apr%C3%A8s-sandy|language=es}}

In the neighboring Dominican Republic, two people were killed and 30,000 people evacuated. An employee of CNN estimated 70% of the streets in Santo Domingo were flooded.{{cite news|last1=Castillo|first1=Mariano |last2=Almasy |first2=Steve|title=Sandy kills 11 in Cuba, then batters Bahamas|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/25/world/americas/tropical-weather-sandy/index.html|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 26, 2012|date=October 26, 2012}} One person was killed in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico after being swept away by a swollen river.

{{Costliest Cuban hurricanes|align=right}}

File:Flickr - DVIDSHUB - Hurricane Sandy hits Guantanamo Bay (Image 1 of 3).jpg

At least 55,000 people were evacuated before Hurricane Sandy's arrival.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Sandy growing stronger as it nears Cuba|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-storm-sandy-hurricanebre89n16j-20121024,0,600093.story|work=The Chicago Tribune|access-date=October 25, 2012|first1=Jeanine|last1=Prezioso|first2=Jonathan|last2=Allen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025110340/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-storm-sandy-hurricanebre89n16j-20121024,0,600093.story|archive-date=October 25, 2012}} While moving ashore, the storm produced waves up to {{convert|29|ft|m|abbr=off}} and a {{convert|6|ft|m|adj=on|abbr=off}} storm surge that caused extensive coastal flooding.{{cite news|title=Strengthening Hurricane Sandy slams into Cuba|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-storm-sandy-hurricane-idUSBRE89N16J20121025|work=Reuters|access-date=October 25, 2012|date=October 25, 2012}} There was widespread damage, particularly to Santiago de Cuba where 132,733 homes were damaged, of which 15,322 were destroyed and 43,426 lost their roof. Electricity and water services were knocked out, and most of the trees in the city were damaged. Total losses throughout Santiago de Cuba province is estimated as high as $2 billion. Sandy killed 11 people in the country – nine in Santiago de Cuba Province and two in Guantánamo Province; most of the victims were trapped in destroyed houses.{{cite web|title=Cuban state media say 11 deaths in Hurricane Sandy|url=http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/top-news/cuban-state-media-say-11-deaths-in-hurricane-sandy/nSn3m/|work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=October 26, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy leaves trail of destruction in Cuba|url=http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/hurricane-sandy-leaves-trail-of-destruction-in-cuba|publisher=Trust.org|access-date=October 26, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416044828/http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/hurricane-sandy-leaves-trail-of-destruction-in-cuba|archive-date=April 16, 2013}} This makes Sandy the deadliest hurricane to hit Cuba since 2005, when Hurricane Dennis killed 16 people.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Sandy rages through Bahamas, after killing 29 in the Caribbean, en route to US coast|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/hurricane-sandy-whips-at-bahamas-with-wind-and-rain-will-soon-threaten-us-east-coast/2012/10/25/e63d698a-1f08-11e2-8817-41b9a7aaabc7_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103065840/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/hurricane-sandy-whips-at-bahamas-with-wind-and-rain-will-soon-threaten-us-east-coast/2012/10/25/e63d698a-1f08-11e2-8817-41b9a7aaabc7_story.html|archive-date=November 3, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 26, 2012}}

A NOAA automated station at Settlement Point on Grand Bahama Island reported sustained winds of {{convert|49|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and a wind gust of {{convert|63|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite report|author=Richard Pasch|title=Hurricane Sandy Advisory Number 18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al18/al182012.public.018.shtml?|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=October 26, 2012}} One person died from falling off his roof while attempting to fix a window shutter in the Lyford Cay area on New Providence. Another died in the Queen's Cove area on Grand Bahama Island where he drowned after the sea surge trapped him in his apartment. Portions of the Bahamas lost power or cellular service, including an islandwide power outage on Bimini. Five homes were severely damaged near Williams's Town.{{cite news|newspaper=The Tribune (Nassau)|date=October 27, 2012|title=Btc Post Hurricane Update|access-date=October 28, 2012|url=http://www.tribune242.com/news/2012/oct/27/btc-post-hurricane-update/}} Overall damage in the Bahamas was about $700 million, with the most severe damage on Cat Island and Exuma where many houses were heavily damaged by wind and storm surge.

Owing to the sheer size of the storm, Sandy also impacted Bermuda with high winds and heavy rains. On October 28, a weak F0 tornado touched down in Sandys Parish, damaging homes and businesses.{{cite web|publisher=Bermuda Weather|date=October 28, 2012|access-date=October 31, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy Spawns a tornado in Bermuda|url=http://bermudaweather.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/hurricane-sandy-spawns-a-tornado-in-bermuda/}} During a three-day span, the storm produced {{convert|0.98|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rain at the L.F. Wade International Airport. The strongest winds were recorded on October 29: sustained winds reached {{convert|37|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and gusts peaked at {{convert|58|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, which produced scattered minor damage.{{cite web|publisher=Bermuda Weather Service|date=October 2012|access-date=October 31, 2012 |title=Daily Climatology Written Summary: October 1, 2012 to October 30, 2012 |url=http://www.weather.bm/climate.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216052441/http://www.weather.bm/climate.asp |archive-date=December 16, 2009}}

{{Costliest U.S. Atlantic hurricanes|align=right}}

File:Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Pier.jpg in Seaside Heights, New Jersey]]

A total of 24 U.S. states were in some way affected by Sandy. The hurricane caused tens of billions of dollars in damage in the United States, destroyed thousands of homes, left millions without electric service,{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2012/10/29/hurricane-sandy-east-coast-frankenstorm/1666105/|title=Sandy leaves millions without power; 16 dead|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=November 5, 2012|work=USA Today|first1=Kevin|last1=McCoy|first2=Elizabeth|last2=Weise}} and caused 71 direct deaths in nine states, including 49 in New York, 10 in New Jersey, 3 in Connecticut, 2 each in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and 1 each in New Hampshire, Virginia and West Virginia. There were also 2 direct deaths from Sandy in U.S. coastal waters in the Atlantic Ocean, about {{convert|90|mi|km}} off the North Carolina coast, which are not counted in the U.S. total. In addition, the storm resulted in 87 indirect deaths. In all, a total of 160 people were killed due to the storm, making Sandy the deadliest hurricane to hit the United States mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the deadliest to hit the U.S. East Coast since Hurricane Agnes in 1972.{{cite web|url=http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/usdeadly.asp|title=Deadliest U.S. Hurricanes of All Time | Weather Underground|publisher=Wunderground.com |date=April 27, 2012 |access-date=February 9, 2013}}

Due to flooding and other storm-related problems, Amtrak canceled all Acela Express, Northeast Regional, Keystone, and Shuttle services for October 29 and 30.{{cite web|title=Amtrak Northeast Corridor Services Canceled on Monday, October 29|url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251622931902|date=October 28, 2012|publisher=Amtrak|access-date=October 30, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Most Amtrak Service in the Northeast remains Suspended on Tuesday, October 30|url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251622933972|date=October 29, 2012|publisher=Amtrak|access-date=October 30, 2012}} More than 13,000 flights were canceled across the U.S. on October 29, and more than 3,500 were called off October 30.{{cite web|title=Catastrophic flooding hits Northeast as Sandy plows ashore|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna49593609|publisher=NBC News|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 30, 2012}} From October 27 through early November 1, airlines canceled a total of 19,729 flights, according to FlightAware.{{cite news|title=Sandy: Flight cancellations push 20,000, but start to ease|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2012/11/01/airline-cancellation-tally/1673823/|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=November 1, 2012|first1=Ben|last1=Mutzabaugh|date=November 1, 2012}}

On October 31, over 6 million customers were still without power in 15 states and the District of Columbia. The states with the most customers without power were New Jersey with 2,040,195 customers; New York with 1,933,147; Pennsylvania with 852,458; and Connecticut with 486,927.{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy Situation Report #6|publisher=United States Department of Energy Office of Electricity Delivery & Energy Reliability|date=October 31, 2012|access-date=March 7, 2013|url=http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/2012_SitRep6_Sandy_10312012_1000AM_v_1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302051627/https://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/2012_SitRep6_Sandy_10312012_1000AM_v_1.pdf|archive-date=March 2, 2013}}

File:Sandy 2012 rainfall.gif

The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq reopened on October 31 after a two-day closure for the storm.{{cite web|title=Superstorm Sandy: 33 Dead and 8 Million Customers Without Power|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/superstorm-sandy-33-dead-estimated-million-power/story?id=17594562#.UJAFFG_WIm8|publisher=ABC News|access-date=October 30, 2012}} More than 1,500 FEMA personnel were along the East Coast working to support disaster preparedness and response operations, including search and rescue, situational awareness, communications and logistical support. In addition, 28 teams containing 294 FEMA Corps members were pre-staged to support Sandy responders. Three federal urban search and rescue task forces were positioned in the Mid-Atlantic and ready to deploy as needed.{{cite press release|title=Vicious Superstorm Sandy Smashes U.S. Northeast Cities|url=http://ens-newswire.com/2012/10/29/vicious-superstorm-sandy-smashes-u-s-northeast-cities/|publisher=newswire.com|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213095319/http://ens-newswire.com/2012/10/29/vicious-superstorm-sandy-smashes-u-s-northeast-cities/}} Direct Relief provided medical supplies to community clinics, non-profit health centers, and other groups in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy, and mapped pharmacies, gas stations, and other facilities that remained in the New York City area despite power outages.{{Cite web|url=https://www.directrelief.org/emergency/hurricane-sandy/|title=Hurricane Sandy Relief|date=April 5, 2018|website=Direct Relief|language=en-US|access-date=March 6, 2019}}

On November 2, the American Red Cross announced they had 4,000 disaster workers across storm damaged areas, with thousands more en route from other states. Nearly 7,000 people spent the night in emergency shelters across the region.{{cite news|title=Storm Aftermath: Live Updates|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/10/28/nyregion/hurricane-sandy.html?smid=tw-nytimes#sha=c5d4b7366|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=November 2, 2012|date=October 28, 2012}}

Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together, a live telethon on November 2 that featured rock and pop stars such as Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Mary J. Blige, Sting, and Christina Aguilera, raised around $23 million for American Red Cross hurricane relief efforts.{{cite web|title=Concert to Help Hurricane Sandy Victims Raises $23 Mln|date=November 4, 2012|url=http://en.ria.ru/world/20121104/177184665.html|publisher=RIA NOVOSTI WEBSITE GROUP|access-date=November 4, 2012}}

At the time, the National Hurricane Center ranked Hurricane Sandy the second-costliest U.S. hurricane since 1900 (in constant 2010 dollars), and the sixth-costliest after adjusting for inflation, population and property values.{{cite news|title=Is Sandy the second-most destructive U.S. hurricane ever? Or not even top 10?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/11/05/is-sandy-the-second-most-destructive-u-s-hurricane-ever-or-not-even-top-10/#comments|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 5, 2012|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105235216/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/11/05/is-sandy-the-second-most-destructive-u-s-hurricane-ever-or-not-even-top-10/#comments}} Scientists at the University of Utah reported the energy generated by Sandy was equivalent to "small earthquakes between magnitudes 2 and 3".{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Superstorm-Sandy-jolted-United-States/tabid/1160/articleID/294877/Default.aspx| work= 3 News NZ| title= Superstorm Sandy jolted United States| date= April 19, 2013| access-date= April 19, 2013| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131105213121/http://www.3news.co.nz/Superstorm-Sandy-jolted-United-States/tabid/1160/articleID/294877/Default.aspx| archive-date= November 5, 2013}}

In South Florida, Sandy lashed the area with rough surf, strong winds, and brief squalls. Along the coast of Miami-Dade County, waves reached {{convert|10|ft|m}}, but may have been as high as {{convert|20|ft|m}} in Palm Beach County. In the former county, minor pounding occurred on a few coastal roads. Further north in Broward County, State Road A1A was inundated with sand and water, causing more than a {{convert|2|mi|km}} stretch of the road to be closed for the entire weekend. Additionally, coastal flooding extended inland up to 2 blocks in some locations and a few houses in the area suffered water damage. In Manalapan, which is located in southern Palm Beach County, several beachfront homes were threatened by erosion. The Lake Worth Pier was also damaged by rough seas. In Palm Beach County alone, losses reached $14 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/mfl/sandy|title=Hurricane Sandy Overview|date=November 30, 2012|publisher=National Weather Service Miami, Florida|access-date=December 12, 2012}} Sandy caused closures and cancellations of some activities at schools in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/10/25/3066926/hurricane-sandy-cancels-school.html|title=Hurricane Sandy forces cancellation of school athletic events in South Florida|last=Veiga|first=Christina Veiga|newspaper=Miami Herald|date=October 25, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012}} Storm surge from Sandy also caused flooding and beach erosion along coastal areas in South Florida.[https://archive.today/20130203125311/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-high-tides-infrastructure-20121029,0,6541118.story Ocean's wrath floods neighborhoods, rips up beaches] by David Fleshler and Robert Nolin, South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Published October 28, 2012; retrieved October 30, 2012. Gusty winds also impacted South Florida, peaking at {{convert|67|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in Jupiter and Fowey Rocks Light, which is near Key Biscayne. The storm created power outages across the region, which left many traffic lights out of order.{{cite news|agency=WSVN-TV|date=October 26, 2012|title=South Florida cleans up after Sandy|access-date=October 26, 2012|url=http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/tracking_tropics/21008896703574/south-florida-cleans-up-after-sandy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029035612/http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/tracking_tropics/21008896703574/south-florida-cleans-up-after-sandy|archive-date=October 29, 2012}}

In east-central Florida, damage was minor, though the storm left about 1,000 people without power.{{cite news|agency=Click Orlando|date=October 26, 2012|title=Hurricane Sandy brings rain, strong winds to Central Florida|access-date=October 26, 2012|url=http://www.clickorlando.com/weather/Hurricane-Sandy-brings-rain-strong-winds-to-Central-Florida/-/1636950/17141130/-/43onqhz/-/index.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119095345/http://www.clickorlando.com/weather/Hurricane-Sandy-brings-rain-strong-winds-to-Central-Florida/-/1636950/17141130/-/43onqhz/-/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2013}} Airlines at Miami International Airport canceled more than 20 flights to or from Jamaica or the Bahamas, while some airlines flying from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport canceled a total of 13 flights to the islands. The Coast Guard rescued two sea men in Volusia County off New Smyrna Beach on the morning of October 26.{{cite web|title=2 boaters rescued near New Smyrna Beach|url=http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/10/26/_2_boaters_rescued_n.html|work=Central Florida News 13|access-date=October 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028003445/http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/10/26/_2_boaters_rescued_n.html|archive-date=October 28, 2012}} Brevard and Volusia Counties schools canceled all extracurricular activities for October 26, including football.{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy cancels and postpones Brevard and Volusia County football on October 26. games|url=http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2012/10/25/hurricane_sandy_canc.html|publisher=CFN13|access-date=October 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027092819/http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2012/10/25/hurricane_sandy_canc.html|archive-date=October 27, 2012}}

Two panther kittens escaped from the White Oak Conservation Center in Nassau County after the hurricane swept a tree into the fence of their enclosure; they were missing for 24 hours before being found in good health.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

File:121029-G-ZZ999-002 - Coast Guard rescues crewmembers aboard HMS.jpg, is shown nearly submerged during Hurricane Sandy in the Atlantic Ocean approximately {{convert|90|mi}} southeast of Hatteras, North Carolina on Monday, October 29, 2012.]]

On October 28, Governor Bev Perdue declared a state of emergency in 24 western counties, due to snow and strong winds.{{cite web|title=Gov. Perdue Declares State of Emergency for 24 Western Counties|url=http://www.governor.state.nc.us/NewsItems/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?newsItemID=2648|publisher=State of NC|access-date=October 29, 2012}}

North Carolina was spared from major damage for the most part (except at the immediate coastline), though winds, rain, and mountain snow affected the state through October 30. Ocracoke and Highway 12 on Hatteras Island were flooded with up to {{convert|2|ft|m|sigfig=1}} of water, closing part of the highway, while 20 people on a fishing trip were stranded on Portsmouth Island.{{cite web|url=http://www.wral.com/soundside-flooding-possible-as-sandy-trudges-along-outer-banks/11710690/|title=Hatteras, Ocracoke get worst of Hurricane Sandy in NC|publisher=wral.com|access-date=October 28, 2012|date=October 28, 2012}}

There were three Hurricane Sandy-related deaths in the state.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Sandy: CT, NY, NJ And Other East Coast States Assess Region After Deadly Storm|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/03/hurricane-sandy-ct-ny-nj-death-storm_n_2070096.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=November 4, 2012|date=November 3, 2012}}

On October 29, the Coast Guard responded to a distress call from Bounty, which was built for the 1962 movie Mutiny on the Bounty. It was taking on water about {{convert|90|mi|km}} southeast of Cape Hatteras. Sixteen people were on board.{{cite news|title=Coast Guard Monitors Tall Ship in Distress off NC|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/coast-guard-monitors-tall-ship-distress-off-nc-17586778#.UI5Dfm_WIm8|work=ABC News|access-date=October 29, 2012}} The Coast Guard said the 16 people abandoned ship and got into two lifeboats, wearing survival suits and life jackets.{{cite news|title=Crew of tall ship off NC abandons ship |url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPERSTORM_SHIP?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |agency=The Associated Press |access-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029114717/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPERSTORM_SHIP?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |archive-date=October 29, 2012}} The ship sank after the crew got off.{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy sinks tall ship HMS Bounty|url=https://news.yahoo.com/hurricane-sandy-forces-hms-bounty-evacuation-094802868.html |work=Yahoo News|date=October 29, 2012 |access-date=October 29, 2012}} The Coast Guard rescued 14 crew members; another was found hours later but was unresponsive and later died.{{cite news|title=Superstorm Sandy Slams Into New Jersey Coast |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/superstorm-sandy-takes-aim-atlantic-coast-0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030211337/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/superstorm-sandy-takes-aim-atlantic-coast-0 |archive-date=October 30, 2012 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=October 30, 2012}} The search for the captain, Robin Walbridge, was suspended on November 1, after efforts lasting more than 90 hours and covering approximately 12,000 square nautical miles (41,100 km²).{{cite news|title=Search halted for missing ship captain after 3 days scouring sea off NC; ship sank in Sandy|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/search-off-north-carolina-coast-for-missing-tall-ship-captain-enters-its-4th-day/2012/11/01/4af4b1be-241b-11e2-92f8-7f9c4daf276a_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102172017/http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/search-off-north-carolina-coast-for-missing-tall-ship-captain-enters-its-4th-day/2012/11/01/4af4b1be-241b-11e2-92f8-7f9c4daf276a_story.html|archive-date=November 2, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 2, 2012|date=November 1, 2012}}

File:Hurricane Sandy hit Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (VA) (8141816490).jpg on Assateague Island]]

On October 29, snow was falling in parts of the state. Shenandoah National Park, buried under about a foot of snow by October 31, was closed starting October 28, and would remain closed for at least several days.{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2012/10/updated-hurricane-sandy-nears-land-national-park-service-closing-parks-and-offices10742 |title=Updated: As Hurricane Sandy Nears Land, National Park Service Closing Parks And Offices |date=October 29, 2012 |website=National Parks Traveler|access-date=January 21, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2012/10/shenandoah-national-park-digging-out-sandys-snowstorm10766|title=Shenandoah National Park Digging Out Of Sandy's Snowstorm |last=Repanshek|first=Kurt|date=October 31, 2012 |website=National Parks Traveler|access-date=January 21, 2024}} The storm resulted in Blacksburg recording its first measurable October snowfall in half a century.{{cite web |last=Myatt |first=Kevin |date=October 26, 2022 |title=Superstorm Sandy not really Virginia's storm, but it brought heavy October snow to Southwest Virginia |website=cardinalnews.org |url=https://cardinalnews.org/2022/10/26/superstorm-sandy-not-really-virginias-storm-but-it-brought-heavy-october-snow-to-southwest-virginia/ |access-date=November 18, 2024 }} Gov. Bob McDonnell announced on October 30 that Virginia had been "spared a significant event", but cited concerns about rivers cresting and consequent flooding of major arteries. Virginia was awarded a federal disaster declaration, with Gov. McDonnell saying he was "delighted" that President Barack Obama and FEMA were on it immediately. At Sandy's peak, more than 180,000 customers were without power, most of whom were located in Northern Virginia.{{cite web|url=http://annandale.patch.com/articles/gov-mcdonnell-virginia-spared-in-hurricane-sandy-damage|title=Gov. McDonnell: Virginia 'Spared' in Hurricane Sandy Damage|publisher=Annandale Patch|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131230258/http://annandale.patch.com/articles/gov-mcdonnell-virginia-spared-in-hurricane-sandy-damage|archive-date=January 31, 2013}} There were three Hurricane Sandy-related fatalities in the state.

{{main|Effects of Hurricane Sandy in Maryland and Washington, D.C.}}

File:Hurricane Sandy flooding Crisfield MD.jpg]]

The Supreme Court and the United States Government Office of Personnel Management were closed on October 30,{{cite news|title=Supreme Court won't convene on Tuesday due to storm: spokeswoman|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-meeting-idUSBRE89S0QJ20121029|work=Reuters|access-date=October 29, 2012|date=October 29, 2012|author-link= Joan Biskupic|first=Joan|last=Biskupic}}{{cite web|url=http://www.opm.gov/status/index.aspx|title=Federal Government Operating Status|publisher=United States Office of Personnel Management|access-date=October 29, 2012}} and schools were closed for two days.{{Cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post_now/post/hurricane-sandy-causes-closings-cancellations-around-dc-region/2012/10/28/394edd54-2065-11e2-ba31-3083ca97c314_blog.html | title = Most schools, services resume after storm | date =October 31, 2012 | newspaper = The Washington Post}} MARC train and Virginia Railway Express were closed on October 30, and Metro rail and bus service were on Sunday schedule, opening at 2 p.m., until the system closes.{{cite web|title=Sandy leaves behind outages, flooded roads|url=http://www.wtop.com/41/3097431/Sandy-leaves-behind-outages-flooded-roads|publisher=WTOP FM|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 29, 2012}}

At least {{convert|100|ft|m}} of a fishing pier in Ocean City was destroyed. Governor Martin O'Malley said the pier was "half-gone".{{cite news|title=Sandy Damages Pier in Downtown Ocean City|url=http://www.wboc.com/story/19942184/sandy-damages-pier-in-downtown-ocean-city-md|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030230958/http://www.wboc.com/story/19942184/sandy-damages-pier-in-downtown-ocean-city-md}} Due to high winds, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and the Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge on I-95 were closed.{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Md-governor-Bay-Bridge-closing-to-traffic-3990795.php|title=Md. governor: Bay Bridge closing to traffic|publisher=SFGate|access-date=October 29, 2012}} During the storm, the Mayor of Salisbury instituted a Civil Emergency and a curfew.{{cite web|url=http://www.citylivingsalisbury.com/cityfiles/emergency/declaration2012.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030121436/http://www.citylivingsalisbury.com/cityfiles/emergency/declaration2012.pdf|archive-date=October 30, 2012 |title=Declaration of Civil Emergency |publisher=City of Salisbury, Maryland |access-date=October 29, 2012}} Interstate 68 in far western Maryland and northern West Virginia closed due to heavy snow, stranding multiple vehicles and requiring assistance from the National Guard.{{cite web|title=Sandy picks up speed, may make landfall in Delaware or southern NJ|url=http://www.delawareonline.com/viewart/20121029/NEWS/310290055/Obama-declares-Delaware-disaster-area-provide-help-wake-storm?odyssey=nav%7Chead|access-date=October 29, 2012}} Redhouse, Maryland received {{convert|26|in|cm}} of snow and Alpine Lake, West Virginia received {{convert|24|in|cm}}.{{cite news|last=Day|first=Cindy|title=WEATHER U: The science behind the snowicane|date=November 2, 2020|url=https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/weather/weather-university/weather-u-the-science-behind-the-snowicane-516066/|newspaper=The Chronicle Herald|location=Halifax, Nova Scotia|access-date=November 30, 2020}}

Workers in Howard County tried to stop a sewage overflow caused by a power outage on October 30. Raw sewage spilled at a rate of 2 million gallons per hour. It was unclear how much sewage had flowed into the Little Patuxent River.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/31/us/tropical-weather-sandy/index.html|title=Sandy pummels West Virginia as grueling recovery begins on East Coast|access-date=October 31, 2012|newspaper=CNN|date=November 1, 2012}} Over 311,000 people were left without power as a result of the storm.

File:Hurricane Sandy impacts Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (DE).jpg]]

By the afternoon of October 29, rainfall at Rehoboth Beach totaled {{convert|6.53|in|mm}}. Other precipitation reports include nearly {{convert|7|in|mm}} at Indian River Inlet and more than {{convert|4|in|mm}} in Dover and Bear. At 4 p.m. on October 29, Delmarva Power reported on its website that more than 13,900 customers in Delaware and portions of the Eastern Shore of Maryland had lost electric service as high winds brought down trees and power lines. About 3,500 of those were in New Castle County, 2,900 were in Sussex, and more than 100 were in Kent County. Some residents in Kent and Sussex Counties experienced power outages that lasted up to nearly six hours. At the peak of the storm, more than 45,000 customers in Delaware were without power. The Delaware Memorial Bridge speed limit was reduced to {{convert|25|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and the two outer lanes in each direction were closed. Officials planned to close the span entirely if sustained winds exceeded {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. A wind gust of {{convert|64|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} was measured at Lewes just before 2:30 p.m. on October 29. Delaware Route 1 was closed due to water inundation between Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island. In Dewey Beach, flood waters were {{convert|1|to|2|ft|m}} in depth.{{cite web|title=Sandy picks up speed, may make landfall in Delaware or southern NJ|date=October 29, 2012|url=http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/280175/29/Sandy-picks-up-speed-may-make-landfall-in-Delaware-or-southern-NJ|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123062002/http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/280175/29/Sandy-picks-up-speed-may-make-landfall-in-Delaware-or-southern-NJ|archive-date=January 23, 2013}} Following the impact in Delaware, President Barack Obama declared the entire state a federal disaster area, providing money and agencies for disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.{{cite web|title=President Declares Disaster for Delaware|url=https://www.fema.gov/news-release/president-declares-disaster-delaware-0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117231655/https://www.fema.gov/news-release/president-declares-disaster-delaware-0|archive-date=November 17, 2012}}

{{main|Effects of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey}}

File:121030-F-AL508-081c Aerial views during an Army search and rescue mission show damage from Hurricane Sandy to the New Jersey coast, Oct. 30, 2012.jpg]]

A {{convert|50|ft|m|adj=on}} piece of the Atlantic City Boardwalk washed away. Half the city of Hoboken flooded; the city of 50,000 had to evacuate two of its fire stations, the EMS headquarters, and the hospital. With the city cut off from area hospitals and fire suppression mutual aid, the city's Mayor asked for National Guard help. In the early morning of October 30, authorities in Bergen County, New Jersey, evacuated residents after a berm overflowed and flooded several communities. Police Chief of Staff Jeanne Baratta said there were up to {{convert|5|ft|m|spell=in}} of water in the streets of Moonachie and Little Ferry. The state Office of Emergency Management said rescues were undertaken in Carlstadt.{{cite web|title=Thousands of people may need to be rescued from New Jersey dam break, Bergen County Police Chief of Staff says|url=http://www.breakingnews.com/item/ahZzfmJyZWFraW5nbmV3cy13d3ctaHJkcg0LEgRTZWVkGILpnwsM/2012/10/30/thousands-of-people-may-need-to-be-rescued-from-new-jersey-dam-break|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 30, 2012}} Baratta said the three towns had been "devastated" by the flood of water.{{cite news|title=Levee breaks in Northern New Jersey, floods three towns|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-levee-moonachie-break-idUSBRE89T0L020121030|work=Reuters|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 30, 2012}} At the peak of the storm, more than 2,600,000 customers were without power. There were 43 Hurricane Sandy-related deaths in the state of New Jersey.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-storm-sandy-deaths-idUSBRE8AF0ZX20121116|title=Factbox: Storm Sandy blamed for at least 132 deaths in U.S., Canada|last=Osterman|first=Cynthia|date=November 16, 2012|work=Reuters}} Damage in the state was estimated at $36.8 billion.{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/13/weather/hurricane-sandy-fast-facts|publisher=CNN|access-date=November 27, 2013|date=July 13, 2013|title=Hurricane Sandy Fast Facts}}

File:Hurricane Sandy downed tree Kutztown PA.jpg]]

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said the city would have no mass transit operations on any lines October 30. All major highways in and around the city of Philadelphia were closed on October 29 during the hurricane, including Interstate 95, the Blue Route portion of Interstate 476, the Vine Street Expressway, Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), and the Roosevelt Expressway; U.S. Route 1.{{cite news|title=Philadelphia area highways, bridges shut down|url=https://6abc.com/archive/8864405/|work=WPVI-TV|date=October 29, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030181638/http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8864405|archive-date=October 30, 2012}} The highways reopened at 4 a.m. on October 30. The Delaware River Port Authority also closed its major crossings over the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey due to high winds, including the Commodore Barry Bridge, the Walt Whitman Bridge, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Betsy Ross Bridge. Trees and powerlines were downed throughout Altoona, and four buildings partially collapsed.{{cite web|url=http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/565627/-Updated-11-45-p-m---Thousands-still-without-power.html|title=Thousands still without power|work=The Altoona Mirror|access-date=July 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817234009/http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/565627/-Updated-11-45-p-m---Thousands-still-without-power.html|archive-date=August 17, 2016}} The highest wind gust in the state's history was recorded in Allentown on late on October 29, where an {{Convert|81|mph|km/h}} wind gust occurred.{{Cite web |last=Koomar |first=Susan |date=October 31, 2012 |title=Sandy Brings Record-High Pa. Wind Gust |url=https://patch.com/pennsylvania/bethlehem/sandy-brings-record-high-pa-wind-gust |access-date=December 9, 2023 |website=Patch Media |language=en}} More than 1.2 million were left without power. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency reported 14 deaths believed to be related to Sandy.{{cite news|title=Death toll from Sandy now 96 in U.S|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/02/sandys-damages-estimated-at-as-much-as-50-billion/|publisher=CNN|access-date=November 2, 2012|date=November 2, 2012|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102132836/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/02/sandys-damages-estimated-at-as-much-as-50-billion/}}

{{main|Effects of Hurricane Sandy in New York}}

File:Sandy Poweroutage 1.jpg

File:NJ-NY lights comparison.png satellite imagery showing the power outages in New York and New Jersey on November 1 compared to October 21.]]

File:Damage from Hurricane Sandy to house in Brooklyn, NY.jpeg.]]

New York governor Andrew Cuomo called National Guard members to help in the state. Storm impacts in Upstate New York were much more limited than in New York City; there was some flooding and a few downed trees.{{cite news|url=http://www.democratandchronicle.com/viewart/20121030/NEWS01/310300037/Rochester-Sandy-fallen-trees|title=Storm takes a toll on area trees|newspaper=Democrat and Chronicle|access-date=October 30, 2012}} Rochester area utilities reported slightly fewer than 19,000 customers without power, in seven counties.{{cite news|url=http://www.democratandchronicle.com/viewart/20121029/NEWS01/310290040/Power-outages-Rochester-area|title=Power outages in the Rochester area|newspaper=Democrat and Chronicle|access-date=October 30, 2012}} In the state as a whole, however, more than 2,000,000 customers were without power at the peak of the storm.

Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg announced that New York City public schools would be closed on Tuesday, October 30 and Wednesday, October 31, but they remained closed through Friday, November 2.{{cite news|title=Hurricane Sandy closures|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/hurricane_sandy_closures_5ePbnf7aCmlUHSOgnP6hGP|newspaper=New York Post|access-date=October 29, 2012|date=October 29, 2012}} The City University of New York and New York University canceled all classes and campus activities for October 30.{{cite news |title=Follow live Hurricane Sandy updates from around the city|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/hurricane_sandy_could_wreak_havoc_LXtmRoECZiHJqnsgxqgxZL |newspaper=New York Post|access-date=October 29, 2012|first1=Yoav|last1=Gonen|first2=Sally|last2=Goldenberg|first3=David K.|last3=Li|first4=Amy|last4=Stretten|first5=Jessica|last5=Simeone|first6=Amber|last6=Sutherland|first7=Lorena|last7=Mongelli|first8=Larry|last8=Celona|first9=Antonio|last9=Antenucci|date=October 30, 2012}} The New York Stock Exchange was closed for trading for two days, the first weather closure of the exchange since 1985.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-stock-market-closed-on-tuesday-20121029,0,6584599.story|title=Stock market to remain closed Tuesday|last=Andrew|first=Tangel|date=October 29, 2012|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 29, 2012}} It was also the first two-day weather closure since the Great Blizzard of 1888.{{cite news|url=http://marketday.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/29/14778477-hurricane-sandy-to-keep-stock-markets-shuttered-tuesday?lite |title=Hurricane Sandy to keep stock markets shuttered Tuesday, Market Day |date=October 29, 2012 |access-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030044444/http://marketday.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/29/14778477-hurricane-sandy-to-keep-stock-markets-shuttered-tuesday?lite |archive-date=October 30, 2012 }}

The East River overflowed its banks, flooding large sections of Lower Manhattan. Battery Park had a water surge of 13.88 ft.{{cite web|last=Long |first=Colleen |url=http://www.thestate.com/2012/10/29/2499940/nyc-waters-rise-to-irene-levels.html |title=Water, fire and darkness: NYC after the superstorm |publisher=TheState.com |date=October 29, 2012 |access-date=October 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101080214/http://www.thestate.com/2012/10/29/2499940/nyc-waters-rise-to-irene-levels.html |archive-date=November 1, 2012 }} Seven subway tunnels under the East River were flooded.{{cite news|title=Tracking Storm Sandy Recovery|url=http://live.reuters.com/Event/Tracking_Storm_Sandy/54277687|work=Reuters|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030061036/http://live.reuters.com/Event/Tracking_Storm_Sandy/54277687|url-status=dead}} The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that the destruction caused by the storm was the worst disaster in the 108-year history of the New York City subway system.{{cite news|title=Worst disaster in NYC subway's history, says MTA chief |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/10/30/worst-disaster-in-nyc-subways-history-says-mta-chief |newspaper=The Borneo Post |access-date=October 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713093803/http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/10/30/worst-disaster-in-nyc-subways-history-says-mta-chief/ |archive-date=July 13, 2014 }} Sea water flooded the Ground Zero construction site including the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.{{cite news|title=Superstorm Sandy: flood, wind damage and travel chaos in New York City|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/9643442/Superstorm-Sandy-flood-wind-damage-and-travel-chaos-in-New-York-City.html?frame=2382855|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 30, 2012|location=London}} Over 10 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage were released by the storm, 94% of which went into waters in and around New York and New Jersey.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/01/nyregion/hurricane-sandy-sent-billions-of-gallons-of-sewage-into-waterways.html|title=Report Cites Large Release of Sewage From Hurricane Sandy|date=May 1, 2013|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 22, 2016}} In addition, a four-story Chelsea building's facade crumbled and collapsed, leaving the interior on full display; however, no one was hurt by the falling masonry.{{cite news |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2012/10/hurricane_sandy_large_sections.html |title=Hurricane Sandy: Large sections of Manhattan left without power |date=October 29, 2012 |access-date=November 4, 2012 |work=The Oregonian}} The Atlantic Ocean storm surge also caused considerable flood damage to homes, buildings, roadways, boardwalks and mass transit facilities in low-lying coastal areas of the outer boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.

After receiving many complaints that holding the marathon would divert needed resources, Mayor Bloomberg announced late afternoon November 2 that the New York City Marathon had been canceled. The event was to take place on Sunday, November 4. Marathon officials said that they did not plan to reschedule.{{cite web |title=NYC Marathon Won't Be Held Sunday: Officials |date=November 2, 2012 |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/NYC-Marathon-Post-Storm-Resources-Mayor-Bloomberg-Defends-Decision-177019721.html |publisher=WNBC TV |access-date=November 2, 2012}}

Gas shortages throughout the region led to an effort by the U.S. federal government to bring in gasoline and set up mobile truck distribution at which people could receive up to 10 gallons of gas, free of charge. This caused lines of up to 20 blocks long and was quickly suspended.{{cite news |title=Fractured Recovery Divides the Region |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/nyregion/fractured-recovery-a-week-after-hurricane-sandy.html?hpw |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=November 9, 2012 |first1=James |last1=Barron |first2=Sam |last2=Dolnick |first3=Michael |last3=Schwirtz |date=November 3, 2012}} On Thursday, November 8, Mayor Bloomberg announced odd-even rationing of gasoline would be in effect beginning November 9 until further notice.{{cite news |title=New York City and Long Island Impose Odd-Even Gas Rationing |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/08/bloomberg-imposes-odd-even-gas-rationing/ |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=November 9, 2012 |first=Andy |last=Newman |date=November 8, 2012}}

On November 26, Governor Cuomo called Sandy "more impactful" than Hurricane Katrina, and estimated costs to New York at $42 billion.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/nyregion/governor-cuomo-says-hurricane-sandy-was-worse-than-katrina.html|title=Cuomo, in Aid Appeal, Cites Broad Reach of Storm|date=November 26, 2012|access-date=December 2, 2012|work=The New York Times|first1=Thomas|last1=Kaplan|first2=Raymond|last2=Hernandez}} Approximately 100,000 residences on Long Island were destroyed or severely damaged, including 2,000 that were rendered uninhabitable.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/officials-sandy-destroys-more-than-2-000-li-homes-1.4316744|title=Officials: Sandy destroys more than 2,000 LI homes Newsday December 10, 2012|work=Newsday|access-date=October 4, 2014}} There were 53 Hurricane Sandy-related deaths in the state of New York.{{cite news|url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6220a1.htm|title=Deaths Associated with Hurricane Sandy — October–November 2012|date=May 24, 2013|access-date=May 11, 2017|work=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report}} In 2016, the hurricane was determined to have been the worst to strike the New York City area since at least 1700.{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-sandy-worst-storm-new-york-since-1700-2016-10|title=New research shows Hurricane Sandy was the worst storm to hit New York since at least 1700|date=October 28, 2016|access-date=October 29, 2016|work=Business Insider|first1=Rafi|last1=Letzter}}

{{main|Effects of Hurricane Sandy in New England}}

Wind gusts to 83 mph were recorded on outer Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay.{{cite web|url=http://www.wcvb.com/weather/Highest-Winds-from-Sandy-in-Massachusetts/-/9850416/17189430/-/format/rsss_2.0/-/6p2n7f/-/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209043019/http://www.wcvb.com/weather/Highest-Winds-from-Sandy-in-Massachusetts/-/9850416/17189430/-/format/rsss_2.0/-/6p2n7f/-/index.html |archive-date=February 9, 2013 |title=Highest Winds from Sandy in Massachusetts |publisher=WCVB.com |access-date=October 30, 2012 }} Nearly 300,000 customers were without power in Massachusetts, and roads and buildings were flooded.{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2012/10/29/outer-edges-hurricane-sandy-are-bringing-high-winds-and-rains-today-but-worse-still-come/Q9xxjXy0lsXcVzUKT49CkJ/story.html |title=High winds, rain knock out power to thousands in Mass |publisher=Boston.com |access-date=October 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030023309/http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2012/10/29/outer-edges-hurricane-sandy-are-bringing-high-winds-and-rains-today-but-worse-still-come/Q9xxjXy0lsXcVzUKT49CkJ/story.html |archive-date=October 30, 2012 }} Over 100,000 customers lost power in Rhode Island.{{cite web|last=Armental|first=Maria |url=http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/10/more-than-100000-in-ri-without-power-after-sandy.html|title=More than 100,000 in RI without power, 600 without natural gas after Sandy |publisher=News.providencejournal.com |access-date=October 30, 2012}} Most of the damage was along the coastline, where some communities were flooded.{{cite web|publisher=Turn to 10 |url=http://www2.turnto10.com/weather/2012/oct/29/66/chafee-non-essential-state-services-closed-monday-ar-1220654/ |title=Sandy pounds Southern New England; Thousands without power |access-date=October 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101005757/http://www2.turnto10.com/weather/2012/oct/29/66/chafee-non-essential-state-services-closed-monday-ar-1220654/ |archive-date=November 1, 2012 }} Mount Washington, New Hampshire saw the strongest measured wind gust from the storm at 140 mph.{{cite web|url=http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/f6/2012/10.pdf |title=Mount Washington Observatory October 2012 F6 Data |publisher=MountWashington.org |access-date=October 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331081836/http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/f6/2012/10.pdf |archive-date=March 31, 2013 }} Nearly 142,000 customers lost power in the state.

The flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy overwhelmed water treatment infrastructure on the northeast coast of the United States. More than 200 wastewater treatment plants and over 80 drinking water facilities along the coast of the Tri-State area had been damaged beyond function, with a statement from Governor Cuomo that damage in New York treatment plants alone could reach $1.1 billion. The resulting damage caused more than 10 billion gallons of raw sewage to be released into New York and New Jersey water sources. This contamination resulted in the shutting down of several drinking-water facilities.{{Cite news |last=Schwirtz |first=Michael |date=November 29, 2012 |title=Sewage Flows After Storm Expose Flaws in System |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/30/nyregion/sewage-flows-after-hurricane-sandy-exposing-flaws-in-system.html |access-date=March 20, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}

The contamination caused by this incident resulted in the EPA issuing a warning that all individuals should avoid coming into contact with the water in Newark Bay and New York Harbor, due to the increased presence of fecal coliform, a bacteria that is associated with human waste. Similar warnings were issued for water sources in both the Westchester and Yonkers areas.{{Cite web |title=Response 11/23/2012 {{!}} Hurricane Sandy {{!}} US EPA |url=https://archive.epa.gov/region02/sandy/web/html/response_11-23-12.html |access-date=March 30, 2020 |website=archive.epa.gov |language=en}}

File:Hurricane Sandy pounds West Virginia.png]]

Sandy's rain became snow in the Appalachian Mountains, leading to blizzard conditions in some areas, especially West Virginia, when a tongue of dense and heavy Arctic air pushed south through the region. This would normally cause a Nor'easter, prompting some to dub Sandy a "nor'eastercane" or "Frankenstorm".{{cite news|title=How Sandy Became a Snowstorm|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-sandy-became-a-snowstorm/|access-date=November 1, 2012 | work=CBS News}} There was {{convert|1|–|3|ft|cm}} of snowfall in 28 of West Virginia's 55 counties.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/31/us/sandy-west-virginia|title=Superstorm Sandy's West Virginia weapon: Killer snow|access-date=February 20, 2013|newspaper=CNN|date=October 31, 2012}} The highest snowfall accumulation was {{convert|36|in|cm}} near Richwood. Other significant totals include {{convert|32|in|cm}} in Snowshoe, {{convert|29|in|cm}} in Quinwood,{{cite web|title=Sandy's Snowy Side Turns Deadly|url=http://www.weather.com/news/weather-hurricanes/sandy-snowy-side-20121030|access-date=November 1, 2012|archive-date=November 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101023121/http://www.weather.com/news/weather-hurricanes/sandy-snowy-side-20121030}} and {{convert|28|in|cm}} in Davis, Flat Top, and Huttonsville.{{cite web|title=Post-Tropical Cyclone SANDY Public Advisory|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIAHPCAT3+shtml/310323.shtml|access-date=October 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101020244/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIAHPCAT3+shtml/310323.shtml|archive-date=November 1, 2012}} By the morning of October 31, there were still 36 roads closed due to downed trees, powerlines, and snow in the road. Approximately 271,800 customers lost power during the storm.

There were reports of collapsed buildings in several counties due to the sheer weight of the wet, heavy snow.{{cite web|title=W.Va. officials confirm 6th death related to Superstorm Sandy; electricity still out for many|url=http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/70933f0bce964728a57f900480b9d2bb/WV--Superstorm-WVa|access-date=November 1, 2012}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=Jarble |fix-attempted=yes }} Overall, there were seven fatalities related to Hurricane Sandy and its remnants in West Virginia,{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy death toll climbs above 110, NY hardest hit|url=http://x1law.com/hurricane-sandy-death-toll-climbs-above-110-ny-hardest-hit-3/|publisher=X1 Law|access-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210004803/http://x1law.com/hurricane-sandy-death-toll-climbs-above-110-ny-hardest-hit-3/|archive-date=February 10, 2013}} including John Rose Sr., the Republican candidate for the state's 47th district in the state legislature, who was killed in the aftermath of the storm by a falling tree limb broken off by the heavy snowfall.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/west-virginia-gop-candidate-remain-ballot-death-article-1.1195136|title=West Virginia legislative candidate killed by tree that fell in storm|last=Cavaliere|first=Victoria|date=October 31, 2012|newspaper=New York Daily News|access-date=November 1, 2012}} Governor Earl Ray Tomblin asked President Obama for a federal disaster declaration, and on October 30, President Obama approved a state of emergency declaration for the state.{{cite web|title=Obama approves state of emergency declaration for West Virginia|date=October 30, 2012 |url=http://bdtonline.com/breakingnews/x699472595/Obama-approves-state-of-emergency-declaration-for-West-Virginia|publisher=Bluefield Daily Telegraph|access-date=October 30, 2012}}

Wind gusts at Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport were reported at {{convert|68|mph}}.{{cite web|last=Buckingham|first=Lindsay|title=Rock Hall Damaged by Superstorm|url=http://fox8.com/2012/10/30/rock-hall-damaged-by-superstorm|publisher=Fox 8 Cleveland|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 30, 2012}} On October 30, hundreds of school districts canceled or delayed school across the state with at least 250,000 homes and businesses without power. Damage was reported across the state including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame which lost parts of its siding. Snow was reported in some parts of eastern Ohio and south of Cleveland. Snow and icy roads also were reported south of Columbus.{{cite news|title=Sandy brings high winds, snow to Ohio|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/State/2012/10/30/Sandy-brings-high-winds-snow-to-Ohio.html|newspaper=Toledo Blade|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 30, 2012}}

The US Department of Energy reported that more than 120,000 customers lost power in Michigan as a result of the storm. The National Weather Service said that waves up to {{convert|23|ft|m}} high were reported on southern Lake Huron.

More than {{convert|1|ft|mm|spell=in}} of snow fell in eastern Kentucky as Sandy merged with an Arctic front.{{cite news|title=Power outages continue after Sandy dumps snow on eastern Kentucky|url=http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Power-outages-continue-after-Sandy-dumps-snow-on-eastern-Kentucky-176607971.html|publisher=WKYT TV|access-date=November 1, 2012|archive-date=May 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506014136/http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Power-outages-continue-after-Sandy-dumps-snow-on-eastern-Kentucky-176607971.html}} Winter warnings in Harlan, Letcher, and Pike County were put into effect until October 31.{{cite news|title=A state-by-state look at what's happened with Hurricane Sandy, and what to expect|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/state-by-state-hurricane-sandy-article-1.1194673|newspaper=New York Daily News|access-date=December 23, 2015}}

Mount Le Conte, Tennessee, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, was blanketed with {{convert|32|in|cm}} of snow, an October record.{{cite web |title=Mount LeConte sees record October snowfall |url=https://www.local3news.com/mount-leconte-sees-record-october-snowfall/article_92c8ac29-f697-5fd9-8692-667a349fafac.html|work=Local 3 News |date=November 2012 | location=Chattanooga, Tennessee|access-date=January 29, 2023}}

{{main|Effects of Hurricane Sandy in Canada}}

The remnants of Sandy produced high winds along Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, where gusts were measured at {{convert|105|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. A {{convert|121|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} gust was measured on top of the Bluewater Bridge.{{cite web|url=http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/SWS_bulletins_e.html?prov=on|title=Ontario – Special Weather Statements – Environment Canada|publisher=Weatheroffice.gc.ca |date=July 30, 2012 |access-date=October 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030230915/http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/SWS_bulletins_e.html?prov=on |archive-date=October 30, 2012}} One woman died after being hit by a piece of flying debris in Toronto. At least 145,000 customers across Ontario lost power,{{cite news|title=Sandy leaves 145,000 Canadians without power, one dead|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-storm-sandy-canada-idUSBRE89S12Y20121030|work=Reuters|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 30, 2012}} and a Bluewater Power worker was electrocuted in Sarnia while working to restore power.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hydro-worker-killed-during-sandy-repairs-in-ontario-1.1190396|title=Hydro worker killed during Sandy repairs in Ontario|date=October 31, 2012|access-date=October 4, 2014}} Around 49,000 homes and businesses lost power in Quebec during the storm, with nearly 40,000 of those in the Laurentides region of the province, as well as more than 4,000 customers in the Eastern Townships and 1,700 customers in Montreal.{{cite web|title=32,000 still without power in Quebec because of Sandy|date=October 30, 2012|url=http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/32-000-still-without-power-in-quebec-because-of-sandy-1.1016479|publisher=CTV Montreal|access-date=October 30, 2012}} Hundreds of flights were canceled.{{cite web|title=Hurricane Sandy grounds all Porter flights from Toronto's island airport|url=http://metronews.ca/news/toronto/420869/hurricane-sandy-grounds-all-porter-flights-from-torontos-island-airport/|publisher=Metro|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030213155/http://metronews.ca/news/toronto/420869/hurricane-sandy-grounds-all-porter-flights-from-torontos-island-airport/|archive-date=October 30, 2012}} Around 14,000 customers in Nova Scotia lost power during the height of the storm.{{cite news|title=Superstorm Sandy's death toll climbs; millions without power across the East U.S|url=http://www.thespec.com/news/world/article/827825--superstorm-sandy-s-death-toll-climbs-millions-without-power-across-the-east-u-s|newspaper=Hamilton Spectator|access-date=October 31, 2012}} The Insurance Bureau of Canada's preliminary damage estimate was over $100 million for the nation.

File:RedCross Obama 1.jpg visits the American Red Cross Digital Command Center following Hurricane Sandy]]

Several media organizations contributed to the immediate relief effort: Disney–ABC Television Group held a "Day of Giving" on Monday, November 5, raising $17 million on their television stations for the American Red Cross{{cite news|last=Molloy|first=Tim|title=ABC's "Day of Giving" for Sandy Raises $17million|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-rt-us-abc-sandyfundraiserbre8a51dn-20121106,0,6147671.story|access-date=November 8, 2012|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=November 7, 2012}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and NBC raised $23 million during their Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together telethon the same day.{{cite news|title=NBC Hurricane Sandy Telethon Raises $23 Million| access-date=November 8, 2012| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nbc-hurricane-sandy-telethon-raises-23-million-20121105| newspaper=Rolling Stone| date=November 5, 2012}} On October 31, 2012, News Corporation donated $1 million to relief efforts in the New York metropolitan area.{{cite news|last=Kenneally|first=Tim|title=News Corp. Donates $1M to Hurricane Sandy Relief|url=http://www.thewrap.com/media/article/news-corp-donates-1m-hurricane-sandy-relief-63066|access-date=November 8, 2012|newspaper=The Wrap|date=October 31, 2012|archive-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104060201/http://www.thewrap.com/media/article/news-corp-donates-1m-hurricane-sandy-relief-63066|url-status=dead}} As of December 2013, the NGO Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund had distributed much of the funding raised in New Jersey.{{cite news|last1=Nahmias|first1=Laura|title=N.Y. Sandy Fund Scrutinized|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324024004578169400032916438|access-date=December 14, 2015|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=December 9, 2013}}

File:Home in Long Beach New York Being Raised 2017.jpg, five years after the storm, homes were still being raised—lifted on temporary pilings so that permanent foundations could be put in.]]

On November 6, the United Nations and World Food Programme promised humanitarian aid to at least 500,000 people in Santiago de Cuba.{{cite news|title=UN to send food for 500,000 in eastern Cuba after Sandy; power grid at 64 percent in Santiago|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/un-to-send-food-for-500000-in-eastern-cuba-after-sandy-power-grid-at-64-percent-in-santiago/2012/11/06/1bfa078e-283e-11e2-aaa5-ac786110c486_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107162045/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/un-to-send-food-for-500000-in-eastern-cuba-after-sandy-power-grid-at-64-percent-in-santiago/2012/11/06/1bfa078e-283e-11e2-aaa5-ac786110c486_story.html|archive-date=November 7, 2012|access-date=November 8, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 6, 2012}}

On December 12, 2012, the 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Various television channels in the United States and internationally aired the four-hour concert which was expected to reach over 1 billion people worldwide, featuring many famous performers including Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, and Alicia Keys. Web sites including Fuse.tv, MTV.com, YouTube, and the sites of AOL and Yahoo! planned to stream the performance.{{cite journal|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/490664-Nearly_30_Cable_Nets_Set_to_Air_12_12_12_Charity_Concert.php|title=Nearly 30 Cable Nets Set to Air '12-12-12' Charity Concert|access-date=December 7, 2012|journal=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 3, 2012}}

The U.S. Government mobilized several agencies and departments to mitigate the effects of the Hurricane in the most afflicted areas. The response to the storm on the part of the government was of particular urgency owing to the possible fallout of a poor response on the part of the Obama administration during the upcoming U.S. presidential elections. These sentiments were characterized in the President's speech in the days following the impact, stating the government's response was "not going to tolerate any red tape. We're not going to tolerate any bureaucracy".{{Cite journal |last1=Burke |first1=Ryan |last2=McNeil |first2=Sue |date=2015 |title=THE MILITARY RESPONSE TO HURRICANE SANDY |journal=Toward a Unified Military Response |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep12118.8 |pages=23–52}}

Anticipating the destruction of the Atlantic storm, states on the U.S. East Coast, especially in heavily populated regions like in the New York metropolitan area, began to prepare. As the tropical depression strengthened to a hurricane, the Department of Defense formed Joint Task Force Sandy on October 22, 2012. Gathering humanitarian supplies and disaster recovery equipment, the DOD prepared to carry out DSCA (Defense Support of Civil Authorities) operations across the eastern seaboard. In the aftermath of the calamity, thousands of military personnel provided vital assistance to affected communities. On the first night of the aftermath, 12,000 National Guard members across the East Coast worked to assuage the destruction.{{Cite web |title=12,000 National Guard members helping 11 states recover from Hurricane Sandy |url=https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/574966/12000-national-guard-members-helping-11-states-recover-from-hurricane-sandy/ |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=National Guard |language=en-US}} President Obama mandated the Defense Logistics Agency to supply over 5 million gallons Department of Energy-owned ultra-low sulfur diesel.{{Cite web |title=Hurricane Sandy: DLA Brought Relief to Millions Following Historic Storm |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3200198/hurricane-sandy-dla-brought-relief-to-millions-following-historic-storm/https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3200198/hurricane-sandy-dla-brought-relief-to-millions-following-historic-storm/ |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=U.S. Department of Defense |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

On December 28, 2012, the United States Senate approved an emergency Hurricane Sandy relief bill to provide $60 billion for US states affected by Sandy,{{cite web|title=BREAKINGNEWS: Senate approves bill to provide $60B for states affected by Sandy|url=http://www.breakingnews.com/item/ahZzfmJyZWFraW5nbmV3cy13d3ctaHJkcg0LEgRTZWVkGKrI6wsM/2012/12/28/breakingnews-senate-approves-bill-to-provide-60b-for-states-affected|publisher=breakingnews.com|access-date=December 29, 2012}} but the House in effect postponed action until the next session which began January 3 by adjourning without voting on the bill.{{cite news|publisher=Fox News|title=NY lawmakers call House GOP plans to adjourn Congress without vote on Sandy aid a 'betrayal'| date=January 2, 2013| url=http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2013/01/02/ny-lawmakers-call-house-gop-plans-to-adjourn-congress-without-vote-on-sandy-aid | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103175651/http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2013/01/02/ny-lawmakers-call-house-gop-plans-to-adjourn-congress-without-vote-on-sandy-aid/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 3, 2013 }} On January 4, 2013, House leaders pledged to vote on a flood insurance bill and an aid package by January 15.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-leaders-pledge-to-vote-on-sandy-aid-bill-amid-bipartisan-complaints-over-delay |publisher=Fox News |title=House leaders pledge to vote on Sandy aid bill amid bipartisan complaints over delay|date=January 2, 2013}} On January 28, the Senate passed the $50.5 billion Sandy aid bill by a count of 62–36.{{cite web|title=Senate Passes $50 Billion Sandy Aid Bill|url=http://www.ny1.com/content/politics/political_news/176073/senate-passes--50-billion-sandy-aid-bill|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216140354/http://www.ny1.com/content/politics/political_news/176073/senate-passes--50-billion-sandy-aid-bill|archive-date=February 16, 2013|publisher=NY1|access-date=January 28, 2013}} which President Obama signed into law January 29.{{cite web|title=President Obama signs storm aid bill|url=http://www.myfoxny.com/story/20805631/president-obama-signs-storm-aid-bill|publisher=WNYW|access-date=January 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130185853/http://www.myfoxny.com/story/20805631/president-obama-signs-storm-aid-bill|archive-date=January 30, 2013}}

In January 2013, The New York Times reported that those affected by the hurricane were still struggling to recover.{{cite news|title=Recovery Remains Spotty 3 Months After Hurricane|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/nyregion/recovery-remains-spotty-3-months-after-hurricane-sandy.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 24, 2014|date=January 21, 2013}}

In June 2013, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo set out to centralize recovery and rebuilding efforts in impacted areas of New York State by establishing the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR). He aimed to address communities' most urgent needs, and to identify innovative and enduring solutions to strengthen the State's infrastructure and critical systems. Operating under the umbrella of New York Rising, GOSR utilized approximately $3.8 billion in flexible funding made available by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program to concentrate aid in four main areas: housing, small business, infrastructure, and the community reconstruction.{{cite web|title=Governor's Office of Storm Recovery: Overview|url=http://stormrecovery.ny.gov/overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405075405/http://stormrecovery.ny.gov/overview|archive-date=April 5, 2014}}

On December 6, 2013, an analysis of Federal Emergency Management Agency data showed that fewer than half of those affected who requested disaster recovery assistance had received any, and a total of 30,000 residents of New York and New Jersey remained displaced.{{cite news|last=McGeehan|first=Patrick|title=Displaced by Hurricane Sandy, and Living in Limbo|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/07/nyregion/displaced-by-hurricane-sandy-and-living-in-limbo-instead-of-at-home.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 24, 2014|date=December 6, 2013}}

In March 2014, Newsday reported, that 17 months after the hurricane people displaced from rental units on Long Island faced unique difficulties due to lack of affordable rental housing and delays in housing program implementations by New York State. Close to 9,000 rental units on Long Island were damaged by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, and Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 per the NY State Governor's Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR).{{cite web|title=Long Island storm damage|url=http://data.newsday.com/long-island/data/real-estate/storm-damage|work=Newsday|publisher=New York State Governor's Office of Storm Recovery|access-date=March 25, 2014}} New York State officials said that additional assistance would soon be available from the HUD's Community Development Block Grant funds via the New York Rising program.{{cite web|last=Ramos|first=Victor|title=Displaced by Sandy, LI renters long for home|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/displaced-by-sandy-li-renters-long-for-home-1.7433299|work=Newsday|access-date=March 25, 2014}} On March 15, 2014, a group of those who remained displaced by the hurricane organized a protest at the Nassau Legislative building in Mineola, New York, to raise awareness of their frustration with the timeline for receiving financial assistance from the New York Rising program.{{cite news|title=Protesters demand Sandy recovery help in Mineola|work=News 12|url=http://longisland.news12.com/features/sandy/protesters-demand-sandy-recovery-help-in-mineola-1.7400730|access-date=March 25, 2014|archive-date=March 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325133145/http://longisland.news12.com/features/sandy/protesters-demand-sandy-recovery-help-in-mineola-1.7400730}}

{{As of| March 2014}}, the GOSR released a press statement, that the New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program had distributed more than $280 million in payments to 6,388 homeowners for damage from Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee. Every eligible homeowner who had applied by January 20, 2014, had been issued a check for home reconstruction, including over 4,650 Nassau residents for over $201 million and over 1,350 Suffolk residents for over $65 million. The state also had made offers over $293 million to buy out homes of 709 homeowners.{{cite web|title=Press Release, Governor's Office of Storm Recovery|date=March 11, 2014|url=http://www.stormrecovery.ny.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/03-11-14_gosr_ny_rising_housing_program_application_deadline_release_final.pdf}}

{{main|Political impact of Hurricane Sandy}}

File:President Barack Obama Tours Storm Damage in New Jersey 7.jpg and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie talking to storm victims in Brigantine]]

File:Chris Christie On Post-Sandy Obama Meet- 'I Would Do It Again' - Morning Joe - MSNBC.webm in 2017 in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey]]

Hurricane Sandy sparked much political commentary. Many scientists said warming oceans and greater atmospheric moisture were intensifying storms while rising sea levels were worsening coastal effects. November 2012 Representative Henry Waxman of California, the top Democrat of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, requested a hearing in the lame duck session on links between climate change and Hurricane Sandy.{{cite news|title=Rep. Waxman seeks lame-duck hearing on Sandy, climate change links|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/133257-rep-waxman-seeks-lame-duck-hearing-on-sandy-climate-change-links/|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=November 4, 2012}} Some news outlets labeled the storm the October surprise of the 2012 United States Presidential election,{{cite news|title=Hurricane Sandy: Election 2012's October surprise?|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-sandy-election-2012s-october-surprise/|author=Boerma, Lindsey|date=October 28, 2012|work=CBS News}}{{cite news|title=This October Surprise Could Hurt Obama|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-29/this-october-surprise-could-hurt-obama.html|author=Carlson, Margaret|date=October 29, 2012|work=Bloomberg}} while Democrats and Republicans accused each other of politicizing the storm.{{cite news|title=Politicizing Hurricane Sandy: Left vs. Right|author=Gotthardt, Karl|url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/13297866-politicizing-hurricane-sandy-the-politics-of-the-left-and-right|date=October 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105040155/http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/13297866-politicizing-hurricane-sandy-the-politics-of-the-left-and-right|archive-date=November 5, 2012}}

The storm hit the United States one week before its general United States elections, and affected the presidential campaign, local and state campaigns in storm-damaged areas. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, one of Mitt Romney's leading supporters, praised President Barack Obama and his reaction to the hurricane, and toured storm-damaged areas of his state with the president.{{cite news|last=Horsey|first=David|title=Chris Christie and Hurricane Sandy give Obama a timely boost|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/topoftheticket/la-na-tt-chris-christie-boost-20121031,0,1044954.story| newspaper=LA Times| access-date=November 2, 2012|date=October 31, 2012}} It was reported at the time that Sandy might affect elections in several states, especially by curtailing early voting.{{cite web|url=http://ivn.us/2012/10/31/hurricane-sandy-effect-on-election-could-hurt-democrats/|title=Hurricane Sandy effect on election could hurt Democrats| publisher=Foundation for Independent Voter Education| date=October 31, 2012|author=W.E. Messamore}} The Economist wrote, "the weather is supposed to clear up well ahead of election day, but the impact could be felt in the turnout of early voters."{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/lexington/2012/10/storms-and-elections|title=The politics of Hurricane Sandy|newspaper=The Economist|date=October 29, 2012}} ABC News predicted this might be offset by a tendency to clear roads and restore power more quickly in urban areas.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/hurricane-sandy-push-back-election-day/story?id=17598371&page=2|title=Could Sandy push back Election Day?|publisher=ABC News}} The storm ignited a debate over whether Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in 2011 proposed to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2012/1030/Did-Mitt-Romney-suggest-eliminating-FEMA-video|title=Did Mitt Romney suggest eliminating FEMA?|newspaper=Christian Science Monitor|date=October 30, 2012}} The next day the Romney campaign promised to keep FEMA funded, but did not explain what other parts of the federal budget it would cut to pay for it.{{cite news|last=Andrew Taylor (AP)|title=Mitt Romney Disaster Relief Position Faces Scrutiny|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2012/10/31/romney-faces-scrutiny-on-aid-in-storms-wake|newspaper=U.S. News & World Report|date=October 31, 2012}} Beyond the election, National Defense Magazine said Sandy "might cause a rethinking (in the USA) of how climate change threatens national security".{{cite news |last=Erwin |first=Sandra I. |title=Superstorm Sandy Topples Traditional Notions of National Security |url=http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=959 |access-date=November 5, 2012 |newspaper=National Defense Magazine |date=October 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415143327/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=959 |archive-date=April 15, 2013 }}

In his news conference on November 14, 2012, President Obama said, "we can't attribute any particular weather event to climate change. What we do know is the temperature around the globe is increasing faster than was predicted even 10 years ago. We do know that the Arctic ice cap is melting faster than was predicted even five years ago. We do know that there have been extraordinarily — there have been an extraordinarily large number of severe weather events here in North America, but also around the globe. And I am a firm believer that climate change is real, that it is impacted by human behavior and carbon emissions. And as a consequence, I think we've got an obligation to future generations to do something about it."{{cite news |title=Transcript of President Obama's News Conference |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/14/us/politics/running-transcript-of-president-obamas-press-conference.html |access-date=November 14, 2012 |newspaper=New York Times |date=November 14, 2012}}

On January 30, 2015, days after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a post-Sandy report examining flood risks for {{convert|31,200|mi|km}} of the North Atlantic coast, President Obama issued an executive order directing federal agencies, state and local governments drawing federal funds to adopt stricter building and siting standards to reflect scientific projections that future flooding will be more frequent and intense due to climate change.Eilperin, Juliet [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/01/30/in-major-shift-obama-administration-will-plan-for-rising-seas-in-all-federal-projects/ In major shift, Obama administration will plan for rising seas in all federal projects] The Washington Post. January 30, 2015

Power outages and flooding in the area closed the New York Stock Exchange and other financial markets on both October 29 and 30, a weather-related closure that last happened in 1888.{{cite news| last1=Craig|first1=Susanne|last2=Protess|first2=Ben|title=After Hurricane Sandy, Stock Exchanges Prepare to Open|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/after-hurricane-sandy-stock-exchanges-prepare-to-open/|access-date=November 25, 2014|work=The New York Times|date=October 30, 2012}} When markets reopened on October 31, investors were relieved that it closed relatively flat that day. A week later, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Capital Markets Bureau noted a slight uptick in the market (0.8%) and suggested that the negative economic impact of Hurricane Sandy was offset by the expected positive impacts of rebuilding.{{cite news|title=Market Volatility: The Impact of Hurricane Sandy on the Financial Markets|url=http://www.naic.org/capital_markets_archive/121108.htm|work=Capital Markets Bureau Report|agency=National Association of Insurance Commissioners|date=November 8, 2012}}

The destruction of physical infrastructure as a result of Sandy cost impacted states, including New York and New Jersey, tens of billions of dollars.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/events.pdf|title=Billion-Dollar U.S. Weather/Climate Disasters 1980–2012|date=July 11, 2013|website=NOAA|access-date=March 30, 2020}} EQECAT, a risk-modeling company that focuses on catastrophes, approximated that impacted regions lost between $30 billion to $50 billion in economic activity. The economic loss was attributed to the massive power outages, liquid fuel shortages, and a near shutdown of the region's transportation system.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eqecat.com/catwatch/post-landfall-loss-estimates-superstorm-sandy-released-2012-11-01/|title=Post-Landfall Loss Estimates – Hurricane Sandy|date=November 1, 2012|website=EQECAT|access-date=March 30, 2020}}

• Energy: Roughly 8.5 million customers were impacted due to power outages, including many businesses that were hard-pressed to deliver products and services in a timely manner.{{Cite web|url=http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/04/f0/Northeast%20Storm%20Comparison_FINAL_041513c.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209041652/http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/04/f0/Northeast%20Storm%20Comparison_FINAL_041513c.pdf|url-status=live|archive-date=December 9, 2016|title=Comparing the Impacts of Northeast Hurricanes on Energy Infrastructure|date=April 1, 2013|website=Department of Energy|access-date=March 30, 2020}} Breaks in gas lines also caused fires in many locations, prompting explosions and destruction of a large number of residences. Locating gas and diesel fuel proved difficult immediately after Sandy hit, which harmed transportation access for many people.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL182012_Sandy.pdf|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Sandy|date=February 12, 2013|website=National Hurricane Center|access-date=March 30, 2020}} The impairment of the ability to obtain fuel was due to flooding damage in crucial terminals and harbors in areas of New Jersey bordering the Arthur Kill. The shortage of fuel held up first responders as well as other response and recovery officials. Therefore, portable generators remained unutilized, resulting in long lines at fueling stations while individuals were unable to differentiate between the stations that did not hold power from the gas stations that were operational.
• Communications: Telecommunications infrastructure was heavily disrupted, impacting millions of people and thousands of businesses, destabilizing the economy of one of the biggest cities in the world. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found that roughly 25% of cell towers across 10 states were out of service at the peak of the storm.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/general/public-safety-and-homeland-security-bureau-chief-speeches|title=NENA 2013 Conference & Expo Charlotte|last=Turetsky|first=David|date=June 18, 2013|website=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=March 30, 2020}}
• Green Infrastructure: Hurricane Sandy's storm surge caused erosion of the beaches and dunes, island breaches, and overwash along the coast of New England down all the way to Florida. Flooding along the coast generated substantial erosion of previous natural infrastructure, flooding of wetland habitats, coastal dune destruction or erosion, decimation of coastal lakes, and novel inlet creation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/HSREBUILDINGSTRATEGY.PDF|title=Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy|date=August 1, 2013|website=HUD|access-date=March 30, 2020}}

File:MTA Service Alert - Hurricane Sandy Fix & Fortify - Greenpoint Tube Recovery - Sept 2014 001.jpg would shut down for repair due to 2012 Hurricane Sandy flooding. Several subway lines flooded by Hurricane Sandy would eventually require saltwater corrosion repair.{{cite news |url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/07/25/g-subway-line-shutting-down-for-5-weeks-for-superstorm-sandy-repairs/ |title=G Subway Line Shuts Down For 5 Weeks For Superstorm Sandy Repairs |publisher=CBS News New York |date=July 25, 2014 |access-date=September 13, 2021}}]]

• Transportation: Throughout the history of the country, the nation had not witnessed a worse disaster for public transit systems, including buses, subway, and commuter rail, than when Sandy struck. The morning after the storm hit, on October 30, 2012, more than half of the country's daily public transportation riders were unable to commute due to inoperable service.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fta.dot.gov/newsroom/12908_14967.html|title=Testimony before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development|last=Rogoff|first=Peter M.|date=December 20, 2012|website=Federal Transit Association (FTA)|access-date=March 30, 2020}} The New York City subway system was shut down two days prior to the storm due to necessary precautions and remained closed through November 1.{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/RebuildingRockawaysAfterHurricanSandy.htm|title=Rebuilding the Rockaways After Hurricane Sandy: The Recovery|date=May 30, 2013|website=MTA|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816173659/http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/RebuildingRockawaysAfterHurricanSandy.htm|url-status=dead}} During that short amount of time, one of the world's largest financial centers experienced immense traffic jams. Those who were able to arrive at work experienced commutes of several hours.{{Cite web|url=http://wagner.nyu.edu/files/faculty/publications/sandytransportation.pdf|title=Transportation During and After Hurricane Sandy|date=November 1, 2012|website=Rudin Center for Transportation NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service|access-date=March 30, 2020}} Eight New York City subway tunnels were flooded due to a seawater breach which flowed through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, impacting various transportation systems throughout the region.{{Cite web|url=http://wagner.nyu.edu/files/faculty/publications/sandytransportation.pdf|title=Transportation During and After Hurricane Sandy|date=November 1, 2020|website=Rudin Center for Transportation NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service|access-date=March 30, 2020}}
• Stormwater Management and Wastewater Treatment Systems: There was a massive failure in wastewater treatment facilities all around the mid-Atlantic coast due to floodwaters, large storm runoff, wind damage, and electricity loss.{{Cite web|url=http://www.climatecentral.org/pdfs/Sewage.pdf|title=Sewage Overflows From Hurricane Sandy|date=April 1, 2013|website=Climate Central|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=April 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404002535/https://www.climatecentral.org/pdfs/Sewage.pdf}} The region's waterways were hit with billions of gallons of raw and partially treated sewage, adversely affecting the health of the public, as well as ocean habitats and other important resources. There was also a public health concern about the threat of contaminated water filling the pipes and wells that supplied potable water to large parts of the region. Large water utility companies experienced power outages, disrupting their ability to provide safe drinking water. Advisories had to be sent out to many parts of New York and New Jersey for customers to warn them of the potential of their water being contaminated.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/health/news/2012/approved/20121031a.shtml|title=Christie Administration Advises Residents to Be Alert for Local Boil Water Advisories|date=October 31, 2012|website=State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection|access-date=March 30, 2020}} The "boil water" advisories were later lifted, however, when it was proven that none of the water was contaminated or held the potential for any ill effects.
• Public Medical Facilities and Schools: A variety of New York City hospitals and other medical facilities, including the Bellevue Medical Center and Coney Island hospital, were shut down as a result of flooding from the storm. In many parts of the hospitals, there was considerable damage to research, medical, and electrical equipment which was located on lower floors for ease of access.{{Cite web|url=https://www1.nyc.gov/site/sirr/report/report.page|title=PlaNYC: A Stronger, More Resilient New York|date=June 11, 2013|website=New York City Special Initiative for Resilient Rebuilding|access-date=March 30, 2020}} In New Jersey, medical facilities were also severely affected. In sum, the hospitals in the state reported an estimated $68 million in damage. Hudson County had to force closure due to the extensive damage done by the hurricane.{{Cite web|url=https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-blog/the-hospitals-of-hurricane-sandy-1-year-later.html|title=The Hospitals of Hurricane Sandy: 1 Year Later|date=November 1, 2013|website=Becker's Hospital Review|access-date=March 30, 2020}} Hurricane Sandy also caused schools to close for about a week on average immediately following the storm. During the period of closure, schools attempted to regain control of electrical operations that were impaired by the aftermath.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2012/11/hurricane_sandy_aftermath_some.html|title=Hurricane Sandy aftermath: Some N.J. schools reopen with no heat, no lunch|date=November 6, 2012|website=NJ|access-date=March 30, 2020}}

Thousands of homeowners were denied their flood insurance claims based upon fraudulent engineers' reports, according to the whistleblowing efforts of Andrew Braum, an engineer who claimed that at least 175 of his more than 180 inspections were doctored.{{cite episode | title= The Storm after the Storm |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-sandy-60-minutes-fraud-investigation/ | series= 60 Minutes | network= CBS | air-date= March 1, 2015 | access-date= April 6, 2015}}{{cite journal | last= Cushman | first= Ted | title= FEMA Official Admits Fraud in Sandy Flood Cases | url= http://www.jlconline.com/insurance/fema-official-admits-fraud-in-sandy-flood-cases_o.aspx | journal= The Journal of Light Construction| date= March 9, 2015 | access-date= April 6, 2015}} As a result, a class-action racketeering lawsuit has been filed against several insurance companies and their contract engineering firms.{{cite journal | last= Cushman | first= Ted | title= Texas Trial Lawyer Mostyn Changing the Game in Sandy Insurance Battle | url= http://www.jlconline.com/insurance/texas-trial-lawyer-mostyn-changing-the-game-in-sandy-insurance-battle_o.aspx | journal= The Journal of Light Construction| date= February 23, 2015 | access-date= April 6, 2015}} {{As of |2015}}, the Federal Emergency Management Agency planned to review all flood insurance claims.{{citation | last= Dunn | first= Catherine | title= FEMA Opens Review To Every Single Hurricane Sandy Flood Insurance Claim After Fraud Allegations | url= http://www.ibtimes.com/fema-opens-review-every-single-hurricane-sandy-flood-insurance-claim-after-fraud-1844358 | newspaper = The International Business Times | date= March 11, 2015 | access-date= April 6, 2015}}

New Jersey hospitals saw a spike in births nine months after Sandy, causing some to believe that there was a post-Sandy baby boom. The Monmouth Medical Center saw a 35% jump, and two other hospitals saw 20% increases.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/24/us/sandy-baby-boom/index.html?hpt=us_t4|title=Is the post-Sandy baby boom real?|author=Josh Levs|publisher=CNN|date=July 24, 2013|access-date=July 24, 2013}} An expert stated that post-storm births that year were higher than in past disasters.{{cite news|url=http://www.app.com/article/20130722/NJNEWS/307220079/Oh-baby-Sandy-baby-boom-due-Shore-month?nclick_check=1|title=Oh, baby! Sandy baby boom due at Shore this month|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|author=Carol Gorga Williams|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=July 24, 2013}}

{{See also|List of retired Atlantic hurricane names}}

Because of the severe damage and number of deaths caused by the storm in several countries, the name Sandy was later retired by the World Meteorological Organization in April 2013, and will never be used again for a North Atlantic tropical cyclone. The name was replaced with Sara for the 2018 season.{{cite web|last=Erdman|first=Jonathan|title=The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season Names List Includes One New Name|date=May 24, 2018|url=https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2018-05-24-2018-atlantic-hurricane-season-names-list|publisher=The Weather channel|access-date=April 12, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Sandy retired from list of Atlantic Basin tropical cyclone names|date=April 11, 2013|url=https://www.noaa.gov/sandy-retired-list-atlantic-basin-tropical-cyclone-names|publisher=NOAA|location=Washington, D.C.|access-date=April 12, 2024}}{{cite news| last=Memmott| first=Mark| title='Sandy' Retired From Storm Names; 'Sara' Takes Its Place| date=April 11, 2013| publisher=NPR| url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/04/11/176926211/sandy-retired-from-storm-names-sara-takes-its-place| access-date=April 12, 2024}}

As Hurricane Sandy approached the United States, forecasters and journalists gave it several different unofficial names, at first related to its projected snow content, then to its proximity to Halloween, and eventually to the overall size of the storm. Early nicknames included "Snowicane Sandy"{{cite magazine|title=It Is Time To Start Freaking Out About Snowicane Sandy|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2012/10/hurricane-sandy-new-york-storm-snowicane.html?mid=twitter_nymag|magazine=New York Magazine|author=Amira, Dan|date=October 25, 2012}} and "Snor'eastercane Sandy".{{cite news|title=How to Feel About a Snor'eastercane|publisher=Atlantic Wire|url=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2012/10/how-feel-about-snoreastercane/58352/|author=Doll, Jen|date=October 25, 2012|access-date=December 18, 2012|archive-date=January 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102105242/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2012/10/how-feel-about-snoreastercane/58352/}}{{cite news|title=Weather Journal: When Hurricane Meets Snowstorm|author=Holthaus, Eric|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2012/10/24/weather-journal-when-hurricane-meets-snowstorm/?mod=e2tw|date=October 24, 2012}} The most popular Halloween-related nickname was "Frankenstorm",{{cite magazine|title=Frankenstorm: Why Hurricane Sandy Will Be Historic|url=https://science.time.com/2012/10/29/frankenstorm-why-hurricane-sandy-will-be-historic/|author=Walsh, Bryan|magazine=Time|date=October 29, 2012}}{{cite news|title=Biggest Moments of 2012: The Frankenstorm|author=Sharwood, Anthony|newspaper=The Telegraph|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/biggest-moments-of-2012-7-the-frankenstorm/story-e6freuy9-1226536248620|date=December 13, 2012}} coined by Jim Cisco, a forecaster at the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center.{{cite news|title=What's in a name? Frankenstorm vs. Sandy|author=Rice, Doyle|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2012/10/26/frankenstorm-hurricane-sandy-name/1660867/|date=October 26, 2012}}{{cite news|title=Pre-Halloween 'Frankenstorm' takes aim at East Coast|url=http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2012/10/27/east-coast-prepares-for-pre-halloween-frankenstorm/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027160409/http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2012/10/27/east-coast-prepares-for-pre-halloween-frankenstorm/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 27, 2012|publisher=Fox News|date=October 27, 2012}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/airlines-offer-travel-waivers-ahead-of-hurricane-sandy/|title=Airlines offer travel waivers ahead of Hurricane Sandy|publisher=CBS News|date=October 26, 2012}} CNN banned the use of the term, saying it trivialized the destruction.{{cite news|title=Washington Post|author=Wemple, Erik|date=October 26, 2012|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/post/cnn-bans-frankenstorm-term-for-hurricane-sandy/2012/10/26/f7bd06e6-1f8c-11e2-9cd5-b55c38388962_blog.html}}{{cite web|title=CNN Has Banned The Term 'Frankenstorm' From Its Hurricane Sandy Coverage|author=Alvarez, Alex|date=October 27, 2012|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/cnn-has-banned-the-term-frankenstorm-from-its-hurricane-sandy-coverage/}}

The severe and widespread damage the storm caused in the United States, as well as its unusual merger with a frontal system, resulted in the nicknaming of the hurricane "Superstorm Sandy" by the media, public officials, and several organizations, including U.S. government agencies.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Superstorm-Sandy-debris-may-hurt-tourism-4286772.php|title=Superstorm Sandy debris may hurt tourism|work=www.sfgate.com/|access-date=March 3, 2013|date=February 18, 2013}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/29/opinion/nolan-hurricane-sandy|title=Why is Sandy unusual?|work=www.cnn.com|access-date=March 3, 2013|date=October 30, 2012}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20181266|title=Superstorm Sandy triggers climate blame game|publisher=BBC News |access-date=March 3, 2013|date=November 2, 2012}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/meteorologische-bilanz-wie-hurrikan-sandy-zum-rekord-sturm-wurde-a-864551.html|title=Hurrikan "Sandy": Die tödliche Kraft des Supersturms|work=www.spiegel.de|date=November 2012 |language=de|access-date=March 3, 2013|last1=Bojanowski |first1=Axel }} This persisted as the most common nickname well into 2013. The term was also embraced by climate change proponents as a term for the new type of storms caused by global warming,{{cite news|title=Opinion:Super Storm Sandy|author=Trenberth, Kevin|url=http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/33084/title/Opinion--Super-Storm-Sandy/|date=October 31, 2012}} while other writers used the term but maintained that it was too soon to blame the storm on climate change.{{cite news|title=You can't blame the superstorm on climate change — not yet|author=Borenstein, Seth|publisher=NBC News|date=October 30, 2012|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna49615769}}{{cite web|title=Tubb: Superstorm Sandy is not proof of global warming|url=http://www.newsday.com/opinion/oped/tubb-superstorm-sandy-is-not-proof-of-global-warming-1.4300131|date=December 6, 2012}} Meanwhile, Popular Science called it "an imaginary scare-term that exists exclusively for shock value".{{cite web|url=http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-11/dictionary-hurricane-sandy-superstorm|title=News Writers: Stop Trying To Scare People With Made-Up Storm Language|author=Nosowitz, Dan|work=Popular Science |date=November 1, 2012|access-date=December 23, 2012}}

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones|Jamaica|Cuba|United States|New Jersey}}

• 1938 New England hurricane
• Hurricane Bob (1991)
• 1991 Perfect Storm
• Hurricane Irene (2011)
• Tropical Storm Fay (2020)
• Hurricane Zeta (2020)
• Hurricane Ida (2021)
• Hurricane Sandy IRS tax deduction
• List of Atlantic hurricane records
• List of Category 3 Atlantic hurricanes
• List of Cuba hurricanes
• List of New Jersey hurricanes
• List of New York hurricanes
• Superstorm
• Timeline of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season
• Typhoon Jongdari – A Pacific typhoon in 2018 which executed a similar turn into Japan.

{{Reflist|group=nb}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite journal |author1=Ian Roulstone |author2=John Norbury |date=August 1, 2013 |title=How Math Helped Forecast Hurricane Sandy |url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-math-helped-forecast-superstorm-sandy |journal=Scientific American|volume=309 |issue=2 |page=22 |doi=10.1038/scientificamerican0813-22 |pmid=23923198 }}

{{Sister project links |wikt=no |commons=Category:Hurricane Sandy |b=no |n=Category:Hurricane Sandy (2012) |q=no |s=no |v=no}}

• [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/refresh/SANDY+shtml/010403.shtml? Archived information on Hurricane Sandy] from the National Hurricane Center
• {{YouTube|91ldZZiOqAs|Radar loop of Hurricane Sandy making landfall}}
• [http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/archives/2012/h2012_Sandy.html Satellite imagery and data of Hurricane Sandy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214181622/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/archives/2012/h2012_Sandy.html |date=February 14, 2021 }} from NASA
• [http://google.org/crisismap/2012-sandy Google Crisis Map for Hurricane Sandy]
• [http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at201218_live.html?extraprod=live Hurricane information and live coverage from The Weather Channel] from Weather Underground
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121030224223/http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral/storms/2012/SANDY Superstorm Sandy] at The Weather Channel
• [http://www.arrl.org/news/hurricane-sandy-guidelines-for-providing-assistance Hurricane Sandy: Guidelines for Providing Assistance] by American Radio Relay League
• [https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo38121 Monitoring Storm Tide and Flooding from Hurricane Sandy along the Atlantic Coast of the United States, October 2012] from the United States Geological Survey
• [https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo37572 Recovering from Superstorm Sandy: Rebuilding Our Infrastructure] U.S. Senate Hearing, December 20, 2012

{{2012 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}

{{Retired Atlantic hurricanes}}

{{Category 3 Atlantic hurricanes}}

{{United States winter storms}}

{{Hurricane Sandy series}}

{{Presidency of Barack Obama}}

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Category:2012 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Sandy

Category:2012 in Bermuda

Category:2012 in Connecticut

Category:2012 in Cuba

Category:2012 in Delaware

Category:2012 in Florida

Category:2012 in Haiti

Category:2012 in Illinois

Category:2012 in Jamaica

Category:2012 in Maine

Category:2012 in Maryland

Category:2012 in Massachusetts

Category:2012 in New Hampshire

Category:2012 in New Jersey

Category:2012 in New York (state)

Category:2012 in North Carolina

Category:2012 in Ohio

Category:2012 in Pennsylvania

Category:2012 in Rhode Island

Category:2012 in South Carolina

Category:2012 in Tennessee

Category:2012 in the Bahamas

Category:2012 in the Dominican Republic

Category:2012 in Vermont

Category:2012 in Virginia

Category:2012 in Washington, D.C.

Category:2012 in West Virginia

Hurricane Sandy

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:Blizzards in the United States

Category:Category 3 Atlantic hurricanes

Category:Environment of the Mid-Atlantic states

Category:Hurricanes in Bermuda

Category:Hurricanes in Canada

Category:Hurricanes in Connecticut

Category:Hurricanes in Cuba

Category:Hurricanes in Delaware

Category:Hurricanes in Florida

Category:Hurricanes in Haiti

Category:Hurricanes in Illinois

Category:Hurricanes in Jamaica

Category:Hurricanes in Maine

Category:Hurricanes in Maryland

Category:Hurricanes in Massachusetts

Category:Hurricanes in Michigan

Category:Hurricanes in New England

Category:Hurricanes in New Hampshire

Category:Hurricanes in New Jersey

Category:Hurricanes in New York (state)

Category:Hurricanes in North Carolina

Category:Hurricanes in Ohio

Category:Hurricanes in Pennsylvania

Category:Hurricanes in Rhode Island

Category:Hurricanes in South Carolina

Category:Hurricanes in Tennessee

Category:Hurricanes in the Bahamas

Category:Hurricanes in the Dominican Republic

Category:Hurricanes in Vermont

Category:Hurricanes in Virginia

Category:Hurricanes in Washington, D.C.

Category:Hurricanes in West Virginia

Category:Nor'easters

Category:November 2012 in North America

Category:October 2012 in North America

Category:Retired Atlantic hurricanes

Category:Tropical cyclones in 2012