National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Remnants of Hurricane Sandy Impact

Northern OH and NW PA

October 29-31 , 2012

 

Hurricane Sandy tracked up the east coast of the United States and merged with an upper level trough on October 29, 2012. Hurricane Sandy transitioned to a post-tropical cyclone and came onshore around 8 pm EDT in Southern New Jersey with an impressive central pressure of 946 mb or 27.94 inches. The post-tropical cyclone tracked west across Pennsylvania overnight on October 29 and brought damaging winds and prolonged rainfall to Northern Ohio.

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite acquired this image of the storm around 3:35 am EDT on Oct 30th. (Imagery Credit: NASA Earth Observatory)

satellite image of the remnants of Sandy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impacts from High Winds

-------------- On Land --------------

tree damage from Erie Co. Numerous trees were downed all across northern Ohio, with the hardest hit areas from Lorain County through Lake County. To the left: a large pine tree fell in Erie Co. Below: Downed trees caused significant damage to property and power lines.
tree and powerline damage in Lorain Co.

Northerly winds were especially strong downwind of Lake Erie due to the un-obstructed flow and deeper mixing heights over the warm water. High winds impacted the lakeshore counties of northern Ohio.

The strong winds caused extensive tree damage with widespread power outages and even structural damage to some buildings. The Cleveland metro area was particularly hard hit with numerous school closures (some for multiple days).

Peak Wind Gusts Reported 10/29-10/30 (times EDT)
Port Meadville Airport

46 MPH

11:18PM 10/29
Erie International Airport
52 MPH
6:09 AM 10/30
Ashtabula Co. Airport
48 MPH
9:03 PM 10/29
Youngstown-Warren Airport
46 MPH
2:26 AM 10/30
Burke Lakefront Airport*
67 MPH
9:25 PM 10/29
Lorain Co. Airport
63 MPH
1:45 AM 10/30
Cleveland Hopkins Airport
68 MPH
11:25 PM 10/29
Akron-Canton Airport
49 MPH
12:23 AM 10/30
Toledo Express Airport
49 MPH
11:40 PM 10/29
Wayne Co. Airport
49 MPH
3:58 AM 10/30
Findlay Airport
47 MPH
9:49 PM 10/29
Mansfield-Lahm Airport
46 MPH
2:40 AM 10/30
Toledo Executive Airport
46 MPH
10:48 PM 10/29
Akron Fulton Airport
49 MPH
4:40 AM 10/30
Erie International Airport
52 MPH
6:09 AM 10/30
Marion Airport
41 MPH
1053 AM 10/30

* Burke Lakefront Airport was without power for a time during the night and the peak wind may not have been recorded.

surface analysis from 11pm Monday evening

The above surface analysis with radar and satellite over-layed shows the storm at 11 PM EDT on Monday night shortly after the low center moved ashore. The yellow contours are lines of equal pressure. The tighter packed the lines are the windier it is.

-------------- Over Water --------------

damage at Cleveland area marinas damage at Cleveland area marinas

damage along the Rocky River

Extensive damage to Cleveland area marinas from large waves and high winds with numerous sunken or heavily damaged boats.

 

Photos courtesy of USCG

 

Buoy 45005 Lake Erie

wave heights from 45005

Storm Force winds (50 knots) generated waves of 15 to 18 feet.

Waves reached as high as 14 feet from buoy 45005 located 16 NM northwest of Lorain (shown in the graph above).

Below are charts from (National Ocean Service) equipment at Cleveland that records water level and various meteorological data. The water level was nearly 3 feet above low water datum (a nautical reference mark). This was 1 to 2 feet above recent levels. Before and after the storm readings were just under 20 inches.

meteorological data from a NOS site at Cleveland

Impacts from Rain

Weekly Rainfall Totals
10/26-11/2 Toledo Mansfield Cleveland Akron-Canton Youngstown Erie, PA
FRI
0.03
0.76
0.75
0.02
Trace
0.01
SAT
0
0.55
0.47
0.52
0.94
0.93
SUN
0
0.47
1.26
0.90
0.70
0.61
MON
Trace
1.24
1.72
0.94
1.22
1.51
TUE
0.39
0.68
1.94
1.11
0.80
0.48
WED
0.01
0.19
0.98
0.09
0.39
0.49
THU
0
0
0.17
0.05
0.19
0.51
Total
0.43
3.89
7.29
3.63
4.24
4.54

Prior to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy to the east coast, a continental (mid-latitude) weather system was making its way across the Midwest and Great Lakes. This brought rainfall to the local area on Friday night (10/27) and Saturday morning (10/28). Rainfall amounts ranged from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches as shown by the images below of rainfall reports from our Cooperative Weather Observers.

24-hr rainfall ending 10/25 morning24-hr rainfall ending 10/26 morning24-hr rainfall ending 10/27 morning24-hr rainfall ending 10/28 morning

This system interacted with and absorbed the tropical system, Sandy, moving north just offshore of the east coast. By the time Sandy made landfall in NJ, it had lost its tropical characteristics and was considered post-tropical (or extra-tropical).

Jet Stream map from 00Z 27th Jet Stream map from 12Z 28th
250mb (jet stream level) winds from 00Z (8pm EDT) 27th (left) and 12Z (8am EDT) 28th (right)

The cold front that had crossed the area on Friday night stalled just to our east and was re-invigorated by the developing hybrid storm. Additional rain fell Sunday and Sunday night (1.0"-1.5"). By Monday the precipitation shield from the merged system reached as far west as western Ohio.

24-hr rainfall ending 10/29 morning24-hr rainfall ending 10/30 morning

Rainfall from Monday and Monday night (8 AM EDT Mon - 8 AM EDT Tues): rainfall from this 24-hr period ranged from under a half inch in northwest OH to 1.5 to 3.5 inches across north central Ohio into northwest PA. On the outskirts of the precipitation shield late Monday night into Tuesday, snow fell from Findlay to Mansfield and Columbus. The Mansfield Airport reported 2.5 inches of snow.

The rainfall led to flooding along area rivers. The Cuyahoga River reached into major flood status. The Huron, Vermilion, Chagrin, and Black Rivers reached into minor and moderate flood status. Along the Cuyahoga River the worst flooding occurred in the Valley View area where many roads were blocked and basements inundated. With the winds forcing large waves on Lake Erie and a rise in water level along the southern shore, rivers were not draining as efficiently. The combination of lake-induced flooding and river flooding from rainfall resulted in flooding in the towns of Willoughby and Vermilion, where homes near the mouth of the rivers were inundated.

rainfall from 8am Mon-8amTue

Rain continued the remainder of the week as the influence of the low lingered. The center of the low reached western PA late Tuesday and then began to slowly pull away Wednesday onward. Precipitation is locally enhanced by Lake Erie and from upslope flow across the higher terrain of northeast Ohio.

Preliminary Local Storm Report
- Summary -

0100 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG PORT CLINTON            41.51N 82.94W
10/29/2012                   OTTAWA             OH   BROADCAST MEDIA

            HOLIDAY INN SIGN BLOWN OVER.

0250 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG AMHERST                 41.40N 82.23W
10/29/2012                   LORAIN             OH   PUBLIC

            30 FOOT TREE DOWN ACROSS ROAD DAMAGING A CAR. ESTIMATED
            50-60 MPH WINDS.

0600 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MEADVILLE               41.65N 80.15W
10/29/2012                   CRAWFORD           PA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            AT LEAST 50 TREES DOWN ACROSS THE COUNTY.

0620 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WOODCOCK                41.75N 80.08W
10/29/2012                   CRAWFORD           PA   PUBLIC

            TREE DOWN CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. MEASURED 30
            MPH SUSTAINED WINDS WITH 38 MPH GUSTS.

0635 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 2 SW CANFIELD           41.01N 80.79W
10/29/2012                   MAHONING           OH   BROADCAST MEDIA

            TREE DOWN ON KNAUF RD SOUTH OF ROUTE 224

0720 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG NORTH OLMSTED           41.41N 81.92W
10/29/2012                   CUYAHOGA           OH   NWS EMPLOYEE

            TREES AND LIMBS ON A HOUSE.

0730 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG LORAIN                  41.44N 82.18W
10/29/2012                   LORAIN             OH   EMERGENCY MNGR

            MAJOR ROOF DAMAGE TO GYMNASIUM AT SCHOOL AND CHURCH
            COMPLEX.

0925 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST CLEVELAND               41.48N 81.68W
10/29/2012  M67.00 MPH       CUYAHOGA           OH   ASOS

            67 MPH GUST AT CLEVELAND BURKE AIRPORT.

0930 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG CLEVELAND               41.48N 81.68W
10/29/2012                   CUYAHOGA           OH   C-MAN STATION

            68 MPH GUST MEASURED BY A MARINE OBSERVING STATION JUST
            EAST OF DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND.

1000 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG CHARDON                 41.58N 81.21W
10/29/2012                   GEAUGA             OH   NEWSPAPER

            MANY TREES DOWN ACROSS GEAUGA COUNTY. SCATTERED POWER
            OUTAGES REPORTED.

1000 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MENTOR                  41.69N 81.33W
10/29/2012                   LAKE               OH   NEWSPAPER

            MANY TREES DOWN ACROSS LAKE COUNTY. TREES ON HOMES IN
            MENTOR AND WILLOUGBY. SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES.

1050 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 17 ENE MARBLEHEAD       41.63N 82.42W
10/29/2012  M58.00 MPH       LEZ164             OH   BUOY

            PEAK WIND GUST FROM BUOY 45005.

1100 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST HURON                   41.40N 82.56W
10/29/2012  M62.00 MPH       ERIE               OH   C-MAN STATION

            62 MPH GUST MEASURED AT THE HURON LIGHT.

1129 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST CONNEAUT                41.93N 80.57W
10/29/2012  M61.00 MPH       ASHTABULA          OH   C-MAN STATION

            61 MPH GUST MEASURED AT THE CONNEAUT LIGHT.

1129 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST CLEVELAND               41.48N 81.68W
10/29/2012  M68.00 MPH       CUYAHOGA           OH   ASOS

            68 MPH GUST AT CLEVELAND HOPKINS

1206 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST FAIRPORT HARBOR         41.75N 81.27W
10/30/2012  M67.00 MPH       LAKE               OH   C-MAN STATION

            A 67 MPH GUST MEASURED AT THE FAIRPORT HARBOR LIGHT.

1208 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST CLEVELAND               41.48N 81.68W
10/30/2012  M64.00 MPH       CUYAHOGA           OH   ASOS

            64 MPH GUST AT CLEVELAND HOPKINS.

0116 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST MARBLEHEAD              41.53N 82.72W
10/30/2012  M59.00 MPH       OTTAWA             OH   C-MAN STATION

            59 MPH GUST MEASURE AT THE MARBLEHEAD LIGHTHOUSE.

0120 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST GENEVA                  41.80N 80.95W
10/30/2012  M58.00 MPH       ASHTABULA          OH   C-MAN STATION

            58 MPH GUST MEASURED AT THE GENEVA LIGHT.

0145 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 W ELYRIA              41.38N 82.14W
10/30/2012  M63.00 MPH       LORAIN             OH   ASOS

            63 MPH GUST AT THE LORAIN COUNTY AIRPORT.

0200 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG JOHNSTON                41.39N 80.67W
10/30/2012                   TRUMBULL           OH   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN IN THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE COUNTY.

0300 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 3 NE POLK               40.98N 82.17W
10/30/2012                   ASHLAND            OH   NWS EMPLOYEE

            SEVERAL 6 INCH DIAMETER TREE LIMBS DOWN.

0300 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MANSFIELD               40.76N 82.53W
10/30/2012                   RICHLAND           OH   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            MANSFIELD CITY STREET DEPARTMENT REPORTED SEVERAL TREES
            DOWN AROUND MANSFIELD.

0400 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MOUNT GILEAD            40.55N 82.84W
10/30/2012                   MORROW             OH   911 CALL CENTER

            DISPATCH REPORTED SCATTERED TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN
            ACROSS THE COUNTY.

0430 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG PORT CLINTON            41.51N 82.94W
10/30/2012                   OTTAWA             OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            POLICE REPORTED SCATTERED TREE LIMBS DOWN.

0430 AM     COASTAL FLOOD    PORT CLINTON            41.51N 82.94W
10/30/2012                   OTTAWA             OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            WATER COVERED CITY BEACH AND OVERCAME BREAKWALL. SAND
            COVERED PORTION OF ROADWAY THIS MORNING.

0430 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 5 SE CANTON             40.76N 81.31W
10/30/2012                   STARK              OH   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            4-5 TREES DOWN WITH ROADS CLOSED IN OSNABURG TOWNSHIP.

0500 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG ASHTABULA               41.88N 80.80W
10/30/2012                   ASHTABULA          OH   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTS NUMEROUS TREES DOWN
            ACROSS COUNTY.

0600 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG FREMONT                 41.35N 83.11W
10/30/2012                   SANDUSKY           OH   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORTED A FEW TREES DOWN ACROSS THE
            COUNTY.

0600 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG PORT CLINTON            41.51N 82.94W
10/30/2012                   OTTAWA             OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            POLICE REPORTED SEVERAL TREE LIMBS DOWN.

0700 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 4 NE TIFFIN             41.16N 83.12W
10/30/2012                   SENECA             OH   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTED TREES DOWN ON ROUTE
            101 NORTH OF TIFFIN.

0830 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WESTLAKE                41.45N 81.93W
10/30/2012                   CUYAHOGA           OH   NWS EMPLOYEE

            2 TREES DOWN ON HOUSE.

0940 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG AKRON                   41.08N 81.52W
10/30/2012                   SUMMIT             OH   911 CALL CENTER

            SHERIFF OFFICE REPORTED SCATTERED TREE LIMBS AND POWER
            OUTAGES COUNTY WIDE.

0940 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG RAVENNA                 41.16N 81.24W
10/30/2012                   PORTAGE            OH   911 CALL CENTER

            SHERIFF OFFICE REPORTED SCATTERED TREE LIMBS AND POWER
            LINES DOWN COUNTY WIDE.

0955 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG TOLEDO                  41.66N 83.58W
10/30/2012                   LUCAS              OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            POLICE REPORTED SCATTERED TREE LIMBS AND POWER LINES DOWN
            ACROSS THE CITY.

1010 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG SANDUSKY                41.46N 82.71W
10/30/2012                   ERIE               OH   911 CALL CENTER

            NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS THE COUNTY.

1020 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG ERIE                    42.13N 80.09W
10/30/2012                   ERIE               PA   911 CALL CENTER

            DISPATCH REPORTED NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN
            ACROSS THE COUNTY.

1103 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 3 NW NEW LONDON         41.11N 82.45W
10/30/2012                   HURON              OH   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TREES DOWN.
0200 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG BROADVIEW HEIGHTS       41.32N 81.68W
10/30/2012                   CUYAHOGA           OH   TRAINED SPOTTER

            12 TO 14 FOOT TREE UPROOTED
0200 PM     SNOW             MANSFLD ARPT            40.81N  82.52W
10/30/2012  E2.5 INCH        RICHLAND           OH   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STORM TOTAL FOR THE EVENT
0230 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG YOUNGSTOWN              41.10N 80.65W
10/30/2012                   MAHONING           OH   PARK/FOREST SRVC

            A FEW LARGE LIMBS AND A COUPLE OF TREES DOWN.

0230 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG GALION                  40.73N 82.79W
10/30/2012                   CRAWFORD           OH   EMERGENCY MNGR

            SOME LARGE LIMBS DOWN.

0300 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG CLEVELAND               41.48N 81.68W
10/30/2012                   CUYAHOGA           OH   BROADCAST MEDIA

            30 PLEASURE BOATS SANK AND 12 DRIFTED AWAY FROM SEVERAL
            MARINAS ALONG CLEVELANDS LAKESHORE.

0400 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WOOSTER                 40.82N 81.93W
10/30/2012                   WAYNE              OH   NEWSPAPER

            FEW TREES DOWN...DAMAGE TO A HOME AND FENCE.