The above satellite image shows Hurricane Sandy just off of the Ocean City coast 10 years ago this weekend. Delmarvans can breathe a sigh of relief that Sandy did not make its sharp left turn earlier than it eventually did when it slammed New Jersey. We were perilously close to losing our precious Atlantic coastal communities.
Occurring ten years apart, Hurricanes Sandy in 2012 and Ian in 2022 each wreaked utter havoc and devastation in the US. Yet each was perceived differently on a national level.
When Sandy wiped out life and property in New Jersey there was a large coalition of Republican legislators in Florida who refused to support aid to the hard hit residents of the northeast. Their names are listed in the above image.
Presumably, they were angry that Republican Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey would seek the aid of the Obama administration through FEMA. They chastised those areas for being unprepared and asking for a handout.
Now, with Hurricane Ian unleashing similar fury in Florida, those same legislators asked for FEMA aid through the Biden administration at the same time that they were demanding an end to FEMA as a government entity.
Thankfully, and rightly so, President Biden and Governor Ron DeSantis are working together to help all affected families and businesses in Florida deal with the disaster. Politics has been placed aside…unlike in 2012 when DeSantis, as a Florida Congressman from the 6th District, voted against Sandy relief.
Not surprisingly the bipartisanship on display in Florida has probably helped DeSantis in his bid to secure another term as governor.
Ten years ago this week, the U.S. was slammed by post-tropical cyclone Sandy, one of the most destructive storms in our history.
Since Sandy, there have been many advancements in how @NOAA monitors and predicts tropical cyclones.Look back & learn more: https://t.co/SgZNHhiIzk pic.twitter.com/TU67EUrOrb
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) October 27, 2022
While there is a system spinning in the Atlantic on this 10th anniversary of Sandy we will only experience the easterly flow of wind as Delmarva is expected to reach the low 60’s under partly cloudy skies.
More clouds will enter the area on Sunday as temps slowly climb into the mid 60’s.