Hurricane Sandy Could Cause Severe Storm Surge in Brooklyn, NYC and NJ

Abcgolocal's Hurricane Sandy Doppler tracking map.

The above map rendered late Saturday shows various models of Hurricane Sandy's projected path starting to converge along the heavier violet line, curving through Philadelphia. If the superstorm actually takes this tack, landfall will take place somewhere between Delaware and New York City.

Forecasters say this route (plus the full moon and high tide) will likely cause significant -- possibly record-breaking -- storm-surge for New York City.

Storm surge is water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of a strong storm or hurricane. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to flood roads, homes and infrastructure. FEMA warns that the greatest potential for loss of life related to a hurricane is from storm surge.

In Brooklyn: Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Fort Hamilton, Bath Beach, parts of Red Hook and Gowanus, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Fulton Ferry, parts of DUMBO and Vinegar Hill, the Navy Yard, parts of Williamsburg, parts of Greenpoint, and Brighton Beach have a strong chance of high storm surge.

Manhattan Beach, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach and most of the Rockaways have a good chance of storm surge.

Other Boroughs: See maps below.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the areas shaded blue, above, have a 60 percent chance of exceeding 2 - 3 feet of surge. (Areas shaded light grey have a 60 percent chance of exceeding 0 - 2 feet of surge.)

Now, looking at a worst-case scenario, the areas shaded aqua blue (cyan) above have a 10 percent chance of exceeding 7 - 9 feet of storm surge!

The dark green areas have a 10 percent chance of exceeding 9 - 11 feet of surge. Dark grey: 5 - 7 feet; light blue: 3 - 5 feet; dark blue: 2 - 3 feet. (Let's hope we don't have the worst-case scenario.)

Residents in any of the waterfront areas mentioned above -- or who live in ZONE A  -- are advised to pack their Go Bags Sunday morning, call friends or relatives who live further inland and ask if you can crash for a day or two. (If your friends all live in low-lying areas, get together and split a hotel room further inland.) BTW, Staten Islanders should seriously consider getting off the island.

Here's the link to New York City's Hurricane Zone Map (.pdf) and list of evacuation centers. Even easier, you can type in your address here to find out if you are in an evacuation zone. (Each block is different) Or, you can call 3-1-1.

You must travel before the MTA starts shutting down subways, which could will start at 7 p.m. Sunday. Once you find someplace safe to stay . . . stay there. Depending on when the storm hits, the New York City subway system could be flooded.

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