Hurricane Sandy has  tracked north and spared DC Metro Region a direct hit, as of 4:30 Monday Evening, the widespread power outages have not materialized. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/211343.shtml?5-daynl?large#contents  After widespread speculation by weather casters and news channels that Hurricane Sandy would do major damage in the area, the storm has taken a track toward Atlantic City, New Jersey.  However, we are not out of the woods, and the storm’s center will pass about 200 to 250 miles north of Metro DC. Sandy is a huge storm, with a wide swath, Metro DC will be on the south side of the storm, and will still experience heavy winds.

 

Hurricane Sandy may have claimed its first American victims today as it sank a tall ship and washed away two crew members as they tried to board a life boat. http://abcnews.go.com/US/sandy-sinks-tall-ship-washed-board-life-boats/story?id=17588614#.UI7Wu1aG9Mk

 

Sandy appears to have picked up speed as it nears New Jersey. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57541877/hurricane-sandy-speeds-towards-landfall/

 

 

FEMA’s Emergency Response Website: http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

Google’s Crisis Map http://google.org/crisismap/2012-sandy

Maryland Link http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/homeEmergency_hurricane.aspx

Virginia Link http://www.vaemergency.gov/

 So far, no lives have been lost in The District, Virginia or Maryland.

 

Because of the nature of this storm, water from Long Island could push it’s way into Manhattan in a “Tunnel Effect”. If You have friends or relatives in New York City, the you may find this Evacuation Link Helpful: http://gis.nyc.gov/oem/he/index.htm