Hurricane Sandy is Evidence of Global Warmings Consequences
The Meteorologists got it right this time. Before Hurricane Sandy touched the shore, it was predicted that this storm had the potential to do major damage to the East Coast. By the time it hit and rampaged up the country, we were left to ponder just what the heck had happened. It is estimated that this storm will cost upwards of $50 billion in damages and lost business. We did something to our environment or else we underestimate our ability to control the forces of nature. All the beach reclamation projects in New Jersey have just been thrown to the wind. People will never look at trrees next to their houses in the same way. Falling trees killed people up and down the coast.
It is amazing that Hurricane Irene, the fifth largest storm on record, occurred just last year:
Hurricane Irene was a large and very destructive tropical cyclone, which affected much of the Caribbean and East Coast of the United States during the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. Irene is currently ranked as the fifth costliest hurricane in United States history. The ninth named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2011 hurricane season, Irene originated from a well-defined Atlantic tropical wave that began showing signs of organization east of the Lesser Antilles. Due to development of atmospheric convection and a closed center of circulation, the system was designated as Tropical Storm Irene on August 20, 2011.
I did some research on the recent destructive hurricanes that have touched land in the United States. Hurricane Katrina will be remembered for the lack of response by the Bush administration. It occurred in 2005 and left us shocked at the extent of human misery it caused. Another snippet on Irene from wikipedia.org:
Throughout its path, Irene caused widespread destruction and at least 56 deaths; Damage estimates throughout the United States are estimated near $15.6 billion,[1] which made it the 6th costliest hurricane in United States history, only behind Hurricane Andrew of 1992, hurricanes Wilma and Katrina of 2005 and Hurricane Ike of 2008.
Philadelphia prepared an adequate response for what was expected to be a tough storm here. Schools were closed for two days. SEPTA shut down just in case. Some schools were opened as shelters just in case. Our city was spared the death and destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy. Other than a few downed trees, we didn't get major flooding. We must count our blessings here in Philadelphia. Our situation could have been much worse.
Atlantic City, NJ got slammed by the wind and rain. The ocean took over the streets. Governor Christie called out Mayor Langford on national TV for not evacuating everyone. Sea Isle City, NJ lost its roller coaster to the unrelenting sea. All up and down New Jersey, the storm related damage and its aftermath caused me to ask: God or Mother Nature? Religious people might say that you cannot question God. Scientist will say that they warned us for years about global warming. Fossil fuel usage and our reliance on them have caused dire consequences. Storms of the century are now happening every two years.
The recovery process is going to be arduous. New York is experiencing traffic gridlock and gas shortages. The subways are not yet running and people cannot get to work. The New York Knicks versus the Brooklyn Nets was postponed because parking at the Barclays Center is precious and pricey. Many people are without power and luckily it is not very cold. West Virginia got hit with two feet of snow and people died. Falling trees and flooding killed numerous people. The storm worked its way up to Canada and the effects are not fully calculated.
I was affected by the storm. I drive for FedEx now and trucks have been slow coming down from New York and New Jersey. We were let go early. People who work hourly jobs are struggling. The infrastructure in New York is hit again. A friend posted on Facebook about 9-11 and Irene. Are the stars aligned in some peculiar way? I will report back on future developments. As of today, the full story has not been told.
It is amazing that Hurricane Irene, the fifth largest storm on record, occurred just last year:
Hurricane Irene was a large and very destructive tropical cyclone, which affected much of the Caribbean and East Coast of the United States during the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. Irene is currently ranked as the fifth costliest hurricane in United States history. The ninth named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2011 hurricane season, Irene originated from a well-defined Atlantic tropical wave that began showing signs of organization east of the Lesser Antilles. Due to development of atmospheric convection and a closed center of circulation, the system was designated as Tropical Storm Irene on August 20, 2011.
I did some research on the recent destructive hurricanes that have touched land in the United States. Hurricane Katrina will be remembered for the lack of response by the Bush administration. It occurred in 2005 and left us shocked at the extent of human misery it caused. Another snippet on Irene from wikipedia.org:
Throughout its path, Irene caused widespread destruction and at least 56 deaths; Damage estimates throughout the United States are estimated near $15.6 billion,[1] which made it the 6th costliest hurricane in United States history, only behind Hurricane Andrew of 1992, hurricanes Wilma and Katrina of 2005 and Hurricane Ike of 2008.
Philadelphia prepared an adequate response for what was expected to be a tough storm here. Schools were closed for two days. SEPTA shut down just in case. Some schools were opened as shelters just in case. Our city was spared the death and destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy. Other than a few downed trees, we didn't get major flooding. We must count our blessings here in Philadelphia. Our situation could have been much worse.
Atlantic City, NJ got slammed by the wind and rain. The ocean took over the streets. Governor Christie called out Mayor Langford on national TV for not evacuating everyone. Sea Isle City, NJ lost its roller coaster to the unrelenting sea. All up and down New Jersey, the storm related damage and its aftermath caused me to ask: God or Mother Nature? Religious people might say that you cannot question God. Scientist will say that they warned us for years about global warming. Fossil fuel usage and our reliance on them have caused dire consequences. Storms of the century are now happening every two years.
The recovery process is going to be arduous. New York is experiencing traffic gridlock and gas shortages. The subways are not yet running and people cannot get to work. The New York Knicks versus the Brooklyn Nets was postponed because parking at the Barclays Center is precious and pricey. Many people are without power and luckily it is not very cold. West Virginia got hit with two feet of snow and people died. Falling trees and flooding killed numerous people. The storm worked its way up to Canada and the effects are not fully calculated.
I was affected by the storm. I drive for FedEx now and trucks have been slow coming down from New York and New Jersey. We were let go early. People who work hourly jobs are struggling. The infrastructure in New York is hit again. A friend posted on Facebook about 9-11 and Irene. Are the stars aligned in some peculiar way? I will report back on future developments. As of today, the full story has not been told.
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