Here are what some of the meteorologists over at the Weather Channel are saying about the potential impact of Hurricane Sandy which is forecast to start having an impact in our area around Monday October 29th or so…

“We looking at one of the worst storms on record that we’ve seen in this region”

- Carl Parker, hurricane specialist for The Weather Channel

The resulting storm “will be like a nor’easter with a hurricane embedded in it.”

- Bryan Norcross, hurricane specialist for The Weather Channel

“It’s looking like a very serious storm that could be historic. Mother Nature is not saying, ‘Trick or treat.’ It’s just going to give tricks.”

- Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the forecasting service Weather Underground

“We don’t have many modern precedents for what the models are suggesting.”

- Jim Cisco – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecaster , who coined the nickname “Frankenstorm”

These quotes indicate a consensus amongst meteorologists that this will be one heck of a storm. Whatever the final result turns out to be you can bet Hoboken and the NYC metropolitan area is likely to be impacted by this potentially colossal storm.  Last year’s Hurricane Irene which turned out to ultimately be less than the worst case scenario, still had parts of Hoboken severely impacted by the flooding.  Flooding and downed trees are perhaps the most likely outcome for Hoboken this time around with the possibility of power outages as well.

Hoboken now has a new pump located downtown at the intersection of Observer Highway and Washington Street. If we do indeed get heavy rain the pump will certainly help but will probably not prevent all the flooding if the rate of rainfall is too high, especially at high tide. Thus, just like last year with Hurricane Irene, some level of preparation can’t hurt in case this storm does hit the area hard. That is what The Boken recommends, preparation not panic.