The National Weather Service is calling it a "Frankenstorm" and multiple meteorologists are getting worried as Hurricane Sandy heads straight for the East Coast of the US. The hurricane, if it follows its current track, could make landfall near New York City near Halloween, which could be a complete nightmare.
This storm could be the second coming of Hurricane Irene, which was predicted to slam into New York City in August of 2011. It could end up being stronger when it makes landfall — current predictions suggest the winds could reach 70 miles per hour.
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Mayor Bloomberg is already making plans for the city, and suggesting that people in low-lying areas be prepared for an evacuation if the storm hits the city.
Tropical cyclones — the scientific name for hurricanes and tropical storms — form when warm air above the ocean rises. More air from the surrounding areas of higher pressure push in under this rising air, pushing it up and cooling it. The entire system just keeps growing and starts to swirl.
After several severe hurricanes, and two of the most productive hurricane seasons on record, we started to wonder — What makes hurricanes strong and destructive? Are hurricanes getting worse or is it just us? Why and what can we do about it? What if we don't?
The next great natural disaster may be headed straight for us. And it might just be named Sandy.
First, let's revisit the past with the greatest hurricane to his the US in decades: Hurricane Katrina. From a scientific standpoint, Katrina was a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph when it hit New Orleans on Aug. 29. 2005. This is a strong hurricane, but not atypical.
Katrina wasn't as fast as, say, Hurricane Camille in 1969. But it was huge and its approach over shallow water resulted in a devastating storm surge.
There were also engineering problems. Katrina was especially damaging because the levees designed to protect the below-sea-level city burst under the hurricane's 25-foot high storm surge.
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