The estimated wind speeds from Superstorm Sandy are rising. Perhaps Sandy really was Hurricane Sandy and not Superstorm Sandy.
The Bureau of Seaside Park Office of Emergency Management made the following announcement:
Be advised, during Super-storm Sandy, the Seaside Park Office of Emergency Management anemometer recorded a maximum wind gust of 97 miles per hour.
I have previously spoken with Engineer Matt Phelps and suggest those with wind speed issues contact him about this issue. His preliminary findings, based upon numerous governmental data sources, confirm Sandy wind speeds have been underestimated in many areas of New York and New Jersey. Paraphrasing, he told me:
I discussed the wind speed reported by the Borough of Seaside Park with Office of Emergency Management coordinator Chief Larkin. Chief Larkin was kind enough to call me back and reported the Borough of Seaside Park anemometer is located at a height of only 25’. This is hugely significant because the standard reporting height is 33’ (10 meters). This means that even the 97 mph 3-sec gust reported by Chief Larkin is less than the same wind gust at the standard height of 33. . . .
I have started an investigation into the anemometer heights of all the instruments reported by the New Jersey Deptartment of Climatology and have found that many of their anemometers are located at a height of only 10’! This is incredible; the error compared to the standard height of 33’ can be quite large and since the wind speed term in the wind load calculations in squared, well, Chip, you get the picture. . .
I do get the picture, and my impression is the eye witness accounts of wind damage before the flood damage have more validity.
Stay tuned to further developments from New York and New Jersey. Have a great weekend.
