Hurricane Sandy has grabbed eastern North America’s attention – and with good reason. One of the largest hurricanes to strike the U.S. in terms of its vast area, the Category 1 storm is not only plowing into the most densley populated part of the continent, it is due to hook up with other weather systems that have prompted meteorologists to speak of a “super storm” or “Frankenstorm.” Appropriate for Halloween on Wednesday.
While Montreal will be spared the dangerous storm surge and the brute force of hurricane-velocity winds, Sandy is nonetheless expected to bring high winds and heavy rain tonight and over subsequent days. Associate Vice-Principal Jim Nicell (University Services) sent a message to the community Monday afternoon, urging people to make sure their windows are closed, their computers are off and to report any urgent situation, such as flooding or wind damage, to McGill Security Services, at 514-398-3000 (downtown) and 514-398-7777 (Macdonald Campus).
There’s a good chance power supplies will be affected on parts of Montreal Island (and most likely the West Island region). It may take a while before they are fully restored.
To track Sandy, you can visit the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website. For local weather, Environment Canada.