Hurricane Sandy is now a Category 2 Hurricane, moving North at 20 mph with maximum sustained winds at 105 mph from near Cat Island in the Central Bahamas. Flooding, heavy rainfall, and intense sustained winds are expected to hit the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the United States from Sunday to Tuesday. Power outages are expected in seriously afflicted areas.
New York
Mayor Bloomburg suggests that tri-state residents who live in the following low-lying areas may need to evacuate when Sandy reaches New York on Sunday: Manhattan Beach, Far Rockaway, Midland Beach, South Beach, Battery Park City, and Coney Island.
Jim Cisco of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states that the New York area may experience up to 5 inches of rain.
DC
The Washington Post reports that there is a 30 percent chance that Sandy will hit DC directly and cause severe coastal flooding, "crippling" snow, between 4 to 8" of rainfall, 40mph gusts of wind, and peak sustained winds between 50-70mph. The publication suggests a 45 percent chance that DC is indirectly hit and will experience between 2-4" of rainfall, significant to severe flooding for Maryland and Delaware beaches, sustained winds of 35-50 mph, gusts of 50 mph, and between 6-12" of snow. There is a 20 percent chance that Sandy will inflict a "glancing blow" and cause erratic rain showers, sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts of 40 mph, minor to significant flooding for Maryland and Delaware beaches, and chances of snow fall. Lastly, there is a 5 percent chance that the Hurricane goes out to sea, resulting in minor coastal flooding for the aforementioned beaches, a "breezy Monday-Tuesday," and a slight chance of rainfall on Sunday.
Boston
CBS Boston warns New England residents that the region's coastline is at serious risk of flooding and beach erosion. The news agency writes, "Inland, several inches of rain would cause streets and basements to flood quickly. Winds could gust near hurricane strength, bringing down numerous, still foliated trees." Power outages should be expected.