Nor'easters. What Are They?

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Nor'easters aren't as powerful as hurricanes, but they can be very destructive. The March Nor'easter known as the Blizzard of 1993 did over a billion dollars in damage up and down the East Coast from Maine to Alabama. Not only was there snow with this storm, but it also spawned several tornadoes and caused heavy flooding. As with almost all Nor'easters, one of the worst effects of this storm was the beach erosion. Miles of coastline were swept away and cottages and vacation homes succumbed to the heavy wind and waves.



So what is a Nor'easter? Is it just a big windstorm with heavy rain? Do the winds always have to come from the northeast? Do they occur more often at one time of the year or the other? And what can the average person do to protect themselves and their property from the effects of one of these powerful storms?



First of all, Nor'easters can occur any time of year and many of them fizzle out before they reach land or form onshore so that they don't do as much damage. It's when a Nor'easter forms in the tropics, off Florida, soaks up the warm moisture from the Gulf Stream as its northeast winds carry it up the East Coast, and then meets Cold Arctic Air from Canada that the major cities on the East Coast are threatened.



Boston, New York City, Washington DC, Baltimore and the major cities of the Southeast are all close enough to the coast to be affected and many have rivers that lead to them from the ocean, so flooding is often severe. When there is a higher than usual ocean tide, as there was in April of 2007, erosion and flooding from the sea can be severe. Several Maine communities had to be evacuated, as were communities on Long Island and in other places.



If you live in an area that is subject to Nor'easters, you should be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Even if you're not near the coast, flooding can be severe and sudden in low-lying areas. Small streams and rivers can rise suddenly and overflow their banks, so if you live near one, make sure that it's monitored and be ready to leave at a moment's notice. If your basement or lower floors are liable to flood, move belongings to higher levels and/or have a sump pump ready.



Be prepared for power outages with flashlights, canned foods, bottled water and blankets. Check with the Red Cross or the local authorities for shelters in your area. If someone in your family has special medical needs that require electricity, make sure that you let your power company know that, and have a plan to get them to a shelter if necessary. Nor'easters can last for days and wind and rain can make it impossible or dangerous to drive, so don't wait until the storm arrives to make your plans.



Common sense and some preparation will get you safely through stormy weather. The more you know about threats like Nor'easters, the more you can prepare to keep yourself and your family safe from harm.
Lill Hawkins lives in Maine and writes at News From Hawkhill Acres. It's a mostly humorous look at home schooling, writing and being a WAHM, whose mantra is "I'm a willow; I can bend."

Looking for safe toys? At How to Find Safe Toys Lill blogs about resources for finding safe toys for Newborns to Teens. Check in daily for the latest toy recalls and a long list of alternatives to blah big-box gifts.