Effects of Hurricane Sandy in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
| Post-tropical cyclone (SSHWS/NWS) | |
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Satellite image of Sandy near landfall
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| Winds |
1-minute sustained: 60 mph (95 km/h) Gusts: 80 mph (130 km/h) |
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| Fatalities | At least 11 total |
| Damage | $13.55 million (2012 USD) |
| Areas affected | Maryland, Washington, D.C. |
| Part of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season | |
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The effects of Hurricane Sandy in Maryland and Washington, D.C. included tropical storm force sustained winds with isolated gusts to hurricane force, plus significant mountain snow and coastal flooding.
On October 26, Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray declared a state of emergency. That same day the governors of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia also declared states of emergency in preparation of the approaching storm.
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. 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. President Obama declared a state of emergency for the District of Columbia. The Smithsonian Institution closed for the day of October 29.
On October 27, 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. Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. has been putting workers on standby and making 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. Also, numerous areas were ordered to be evacuated including part of Ocean City, Worcester County, Wicomico County, and Somerset County. As of October 27, 2012, there are serious possibilities that more than a hundred million tons of dirty sediment mixed with tree limbs and debris floating behind Conowingo Dam may be eventually poured into the Chesapeake Bay, posing a potential environmental threat.
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Wikipedia