Sandy was a superstorm or "frankenstorm" in two ways: its size and its structure. Sandy's wind field doubled in size in the 48 hours leading up to its approach to the coast of New Jersey. At maximum size, Sandy's tropical-storm-force winds were 870 miles across – roughly the distance between New York City and St.

233Hurricane Sandy / Total fatalities It was the largest Atlantic hurricane on record as measured by diameter, with tropical-storm-force winds spanning 1,150 miles (1,850 km). The storm inflicted nearly $70 billion (2012 USD) in damage and killed 233 people across eight countries from the Caribbean to Canada.

Sandy's 9-foot storm surge in New York City coincided with the approximate time of high astronomical tide creating a record shattering tidal maximum the evening of October 29 of 13.88 feet at The Battery in New York City Harbor. The previous high tide record of 11.20 feet was set during the great hurricane of 1821.

October 29, 2012 Hurricane Sandy hit New York City on October 29, 2012.

Superstorm Sandy, also called Hurricane Sandy or Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy, massive storm that brought significant wind and flooding damage to Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, and the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states in late October 2012.

Storms are created when a center of low pressure develops with the system of high pressure surrounding it. This combination of opposing forces can create winds and result in the formation of storm clouds such as cumulonimbus.

Warm ocean waters and thunderstorms fuel power-hungry hurricanes. Hurricanes form over the ocean, often beginning as a tropical wave - a low pressure area that moves through the moisture-rich tropics, possibly enhancing shower and thunderstorm activity.

Hurricane Sandy resulted in approximately 233 deaths in eight countries, with most fatalities occurring in the United States. While technically a hurricane when it made landfall, Hurricane Sandy is often called “Superstorm Sandy” because of its convergence of multiple weather systems, exceeding 900 miles in diameter.

900 miles Hurricane Sandy resulted in approximately 233 deaths in eight countries, with most fatalities occurring in the United States. While technically a hurricane when it made landfall, Hurricane Sandy is often called “Superstorm Sandy” because of its convergence of multiple weather systems, exceeding 900 miles in diameter.

Globally, the highest storm surge ever is reported in northern Australia in 1899 during a cyclone. Although the exact height is still uncertain, it is reported to have been in excess of 40 feet. For details, see World Storm Surge Records .

CanadaCubaJamaicaHaitiPuerto RicoDominican Republic Hurricane Sandy/Affected areas

October 22, 2012 – November 2, 2012Hurricane Sandy / Date