Tropical cyclone Sandy revved back up to hurricane strength yesterday as it churned toward the US northeast coast, where it threatens to become one of the worst storms in decades.
The US National Weather Service said that it is likely to make landfall early Tuesday near the Delaware coast, then hit two winter weather systems as it moves inland. That may create a hybrid monster storm that could bring nearly 30 centimetres of rain, high winds and 2 feet of snow.
ADVERTISEMENT
The late-season storm has been dubbed “Frankenstorm” by some weather watchers because it will combine elements of a tropical cyclone and a winter storm.
Yesterday, forecasters said hurricane-force winds of 75 mph (120 kph) could be felt 100 miles (160 miles) away from the storm’s centre.
Sandy killed more than 40 people in the Caribbean, wrecked homes and knocked down trees and power lines. Early Saturday, the storm was about 350 miles (565 kilometres) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Up and down the east coast of the United States, people were cautioned to be prepared for days without electricity.u00a0