What are some similarities and differences between hurricane Katrina and Sandy?

Answer 1

Similarities:

• Both Katrina and Sandy were extremely destructive Atlantic hurricanes. They were the costliest and second costliest hurricanes in U.S. history with Price tags of $105 billion and $50 billion respectively.
• Both formed during very active hurricane seasons.
• Both were extremely large hurricanes, causing high storm surges and very widespread damage.
• Both flooded and shut down major U.S. cities; Katrina hit New Orleans and Sandy shut down New York City, though for a much shorter time.
• Both storms ultimately merged with other systems.

Differences:

• Hurricane Katrina was far more intense than Sandy, peaking as a category 5 storm with 175 mph winds and striking the U.S. as a category 3. Sandy was a category 2 storm at peak strength with 110 mph winds, and hit the U.S. at category 1 intensity.
• Katrina was a hurricane in every sense of the word at landfall in the U.S. with full tropical characteristics. Sandy was a post-tropical cyclone at landfall in the U.S. and so was technically no longer a hurricane.
• Hurricane Katrina started on a westward path, hitting Florida and then turning north to hit the U.S. Gulf coast, a similar path to that taken by numerous Atlantic hurricanes. Hurricane Sandy started on a northward path, before making an unprecedented westward turn to hit the U.S. east coast.
• Hurricane Katrina's damage was almost exclusively in the United States while Sandy caused significant damage and several dozen deaths in the Caribbean.
• Hurricane Katrina was far deadlier than Sandy, killing more than 1,800 people. Hurricane Sandy killed just over 200 people.