OCT. 29, 2012 — With Hurricane Sandy focused squarely on the Mid Atlantic and New England, responders are watching closely and standing by to assist with the recovery efforts. These initial recovery efforts will focus on saving lives and restoring essential services, such as power and transportation. However, as was the case during Hurricane Isaac, the hurricane winds and flood waters are also expected to cause wide-spread environmental pollution from damaged coastal industries, ruptured petroleum storage tanks, sunken and stranded vessels, and other sources of pollution.

NOAA’s Scientific Support Coordinators and other responders from the Office of Response and Restoration are on-standby and in communication with their counterparts at the U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency to address these challenges after the storm passes. Get Hurricane Sandy updates at the National Hurricane Center and see real-time tide gauges from the National Ocean Service.