Hurrican Sandy, 2012

Overview

‘Superstorm’ due to 1,800km diameter Category ½ at US landfall (US lost 100x more dollar than Haiti)

Primary impacts

286 total fatalities (72 in USA), $75 billion damage, 14 foot storm surge damaged subways/tunnels (New York), New Jersey lost 10 metres beach

Secondary impacts

200,000 homeless in Haiti, 8.5 million lost power in US, 100,000 children separated from families causing trauma, 20,000 flights cancelled, Fuel shortages and crop loss caused famine fears, 1.5 billion tonnes of untreated sewage in Raritan River, 300,000 gallons of oil in New Jersey waterways, 2012 US Presidential campaign put on hold and $50.5 billion relief bill

Short term responses/preparedness

National Hurricane Centre tracked storm and evacuated coastal New York, 45,000 US National Guard/Air force on alert, FEMA created 65 recovery centres and $600 million in direct assistance, Red Cross 4,000 volunteers, New York emergency petrol

Long term responses

‘Stronger, more resilient New York’ plan for improved infrastructure, NYC government buy out programme to high risk home owners, Telethon raised $20 million, Haiti in cycle of vulnerability as they struggled to recover from $750 million agricultural lost