As Sandy Draws Closer, An Ominous NWS Warning
'Think about your loved ones,' forecasters say in unusual pre-landfall statement
Hurricane Sandy, Oct. 29, 2012.
University of Wisconsin-Madison/ CIMSS
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Hurricane Sandy was packing sustained winds of 85 m.p.h. early Monday morning as it drew closer to what forecasters predicted would be a direct hit on the New Jersey coast.
A forecast released at 5 a.m. Monday indicated the storm had gained strength as it tracked closer to the New Jersey shore coastline.
A hurricane force wind warning as well as a marine warning predicting wave heights between 18 and 24 feet were in effect for the entire New Jersey coast, issued by the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly.
By 2 a.m. Monday, sustained winds had reached tropical storm force in Tuckerton, Ocean County.
The NWS office said in a statement issued early Monday morning that the strongest winds and highest seas from Sandy would come Monday afternoon and Monday night. Wind gusts in upwards of 80 m.p.h were forecast.
In addition to its forecast statement, the Mount Holly office took the unusual step of calling on those who have not evacuated barrier islands in New Jersey to do so.
"If you are reluctant, think about your loved ones," the statement said. "Think about the emergency responders who will be unable to reach you when you make the panicked phone call to be rescued. Think about the rescue/recovery teams who will rescue you if you are injured or recover your remains if you do not survive."
The chilling message was similar to one the NWS office in New Orleans issued before Hurricane Katrina struck that area in 2005.
Ocean County residents packed shelters by Sunday night, with one such shelter in Toms River having to add extra beds after running out of space.
Some of the few residents of Long Beach Island who stayed behind, defying a mandatory evacuation order, posted occasional photos to Facebook, one showing flood waters that had already spread over Long Beach Boulevard, the main thoroughfare on the skinny, 18-mile-long barrier island.
It was a long, first night of the storm for emergency workers in Ocean County.
Brick Township police blocked access to the Barnegat Peninsula at the Mantoloking Bridge, and were set to enforce a local state of emergency that banned driving on all roadways in town.
Harvey Cedars police occasionally posted storm updates on Facebook, and Beach Haven firefighters moved their surplus military M-35 cargo truck out of a garage to higher ground, as flood waters threatened to invade the fire station.
As the gigantic storm began to set its sights on the Jersey Shore, the hurricane center grew even more confident in its forecast track.
"There is little change to the forecast track or the track guidance since the last advisory," a forecast statement said.
The Mount Holly office statement was more to the point.
"If you think the storm is over-hyped and exagerrated, please err on the side of caution. We wish everyone in harm's way all the best."
Michael Hendrickson
7:00 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
If I lived in lbi I would have stayed..I'm a real man unlike the rest of you cowards that left.
PeterB
12:41 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Stupid is as stupid does
BN
7:02 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
You would be a real dead man.
Donnie Brasco
7:26 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
A real man would ensure the safety for his family and himself and evacuate, rather then being a tough guy.
Lauren Anne
8:28 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
EXACTLY! Considering the storm is still hundreds of miles away and the island is already under water... what are you going to do to protect your house against the ocean?! NOTHING. So don't call emergency services and have them risk their lives for your stupidity when you're trapped and panicking.
johhny winters
7:33 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Another Keyboard tuff guy ,till something happens first one Crying for help!!!!
donald hinman
8:21 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
I live in L.B.I and I am staying put. They always hype up these storms to get t.v ratings. Do I consider myself a tough guy .... Not really. But just a guy who makes the right choices in life. And this is one of them.
KC
1:24 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
My life is worth more than my possessions. But then, I am only a real woman.
skizma
8:29 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
good grief.....everyone knows if they have to leave or not. You know your area and what happens around you. All this hype does get ridiculous. Years ago, we'd have gone to school and we'd have gotten wet. It's a nasty storm. We are not going to die. Loose power? flood? but not die.
Pat Styers
1:33 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Skizma, nobody who dies in these hurricanes THINK that they will die! The fact is that some people who stay when they should leave and make bad decisions, do die and also risk the lives of others that try to save them! I hope that you will not be one of them.
Megan
8:33 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Ok...
Michael Hendrickson
8:39 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
I can't believe people are evacuating..I'm looking out my window right now and see a little rain and wind..I've played golf in worse weather then this..This storm is a joke
Pat Styers
1:37 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Michael, the hurricane has not even made landfall yet. Stay at your own risk but DON'T call and expect others to risk their lives to come rescue you!
donald hinman
9:09 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
The ocean is what is going to rise. The rain and wind is nothing. Right now mike you are right. This storm is a joke.
Donnie Brasco
9:37 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
That's because it hasn't arrived yet. Let's see how much of a joke it is tomorrow! Good luck!
KC
1:25 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
I agree Donnie. Let's see how tough everyone is then! And I don't wish it on "nobody".
Greg Kiamie
9:41 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
some people are stupid. They are the ones sitting on the roof crying for help and blaming the government for not responding better.
youknow
10:09 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
no one listen to michael he is just an idiot the posts stupid comments on everything when will you just grow up dude
cdckc
11:14 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Everyone needs to do what they think is best, but if you are told to evacuate and you don' then I think you should be on your own and noone should risk their life to help you. This includes energency personel.. No emergency help for the stupid!
momof4boys
12:39 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Sometimes there isn't someone that will always be there to help. Just because you decided to stay in an area that has a mandatory evacuation doesn't mean emergency responders will be there to assist you. My son is an emergency responder and once you decide to stay you are on your own. Some first aid vehicles cannot withstand the winds. Flooding will cause the emergency vehicles to drown out. Emergency vehicles do not cross flood waters. When one decides to stay when given a mandatory order to evacuate then you must take ownership for your decision.
Pat Styers
1:25 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
You "tough" guys who are saying this hurricane is nothing and that you are staying put. I hope that this will not be the LAST stupid decision you ever make in your life. It could well be the last decision you EVER make! Not only are you putting yourself at great risk but you are causing those who care about you great stress. Not only that but when you find yourselves in a life and death situation and call for help, don't blame anyone other than yourselves! You are putting first responders in grave danger because of your stupidity! Make sure that you have ID on you and also information on where your family members can be reached so authorities can notify next of kin if you don't make it!
Michael Hendrickson
2:02 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Still here and still tough..This storm was ridiculous..I'm tough and the people that left are not..HENDRICKSON OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BeachGirl319
3:02 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
You're not brave or tough, you're ignorant & lucky. Over a dozen people are dead, Seaside has been destroyed, Toms River Police made more than 100 rescues by boat of people trapped in their attics or on their roofs because their houses had completely flooded and when the water finally does recede..... How many bodies do you think are going to be found of people who, like you, thought they didn't need to evacuate until it was too late & then there was no time to call for help? Storms are unpredictable & water moves extremely fast.
Michael Hendrickson
3:15 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
I didn't call for help and yes I was in some desperate situations..So you are wrong you silly goose...I am TOUGH!!!
BeachGirl319
3:27 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
No. You got LUCKY. You could just have easily been the guy whose house was flooded & swept off it's foundation or the one that had the giant oak tree come crashing thru it while you were standing there proclaiming how tough you are & bonk you on your big tough head. I'm very happy for you that you stood your ground & made it thru the storm safely, but don't make others feel like less of a person because the did the responsible thing and put the safety of their loved ones, themselves & the emergency workers who would have to come rescue them, ahead of their egos.
Pat Styers
12:08 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
Very well-spoken BeachGirl319! People like Michael are the ones who risk the lives of others because they think they are invincible.There is no use even trying to communicate any logic to him because people like him think they know everything! Hmmm, maybe he is a teenager because some of them THINK that they know everything or scary thought...maybe he is an adult who never grew up! Either way, I would definitely listen to the people that know about these storms over someone like him who has NO clue and is more concerned about giving a "tough-guy" persona. BTW-my apologies to teenagers with good sense! I know there are many of you out there!
850Pat
12:12 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
I am a hurricane Veteran from NW Florida. I moved here to Brick Aug 1st. Thought I was moving away from hurricanes...lol My heart goes out to everyone effected by this storm but Jersey is a home of fighters and survivors. We will rebuild and we will move forward.