Hurricane Sandy information (crosspost from my tumblr)

Please click through, then click on your region for a detailed description of what to expect over the next few days.

It does indeed look like snow will be limited to the higher elevations of Maryland and Virginia.

Inland areas like central/western PA and upstate NY can expect 3-6 inches of rain and winds gusting up to 60 mph. While the drier weather leading up to the storm will reduce the chances of flooding, regions near rivers (e.g., the Susquehanna) should keep a close eye on flood advisories.

Boston is at risk of a coastal storm surge of 3-6 feet, which will very likely result in flooding. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph are possible with this storm.

The DC area is under a flood watch - the storm surge will be lower there, but coastal areas could see some flooding. 5-9 inches of rain are expected in the DC area, so even away from the coast, low-lying areas near creeks and streams could see some basement flooding. Wind gusts of up to 65 mph are expected.

New York City folks, be careful. You are likely to be the hardest-hit city. Storm surges could be up to 10 ft (that is, high tide will be 10 ft higher than usual), so dangerous flooding is going to happen. Waves are likely to be 20 ft higher than usual, which could result in beach erosion and have some permanent effects in the area. Wind gusts of up to 80 mph are likely. Mobile homes will be damaged, high-rise buildings are at risk from flying debris.

If you are in an historically flood-prone area, or if your powerlines are above-ground and prone to outages, stay glued to the news and make sure you have a hand-crank radio or some other means of keeping abreast of the situation. A good rule of thumb is to keep three days of water and non-perishable food items on hand, just in case. Make sure that you have blankets and warm clothing - temperatures in the mid-fifties can feel pretty nasty without power. Keep your pets inside and make sure you have a carrier on hand for them in case you have to leave. Make plans to check in with friends and family who are less mobile (now might be a great time for Granny-who-lives-alone to come stay for a visit).

Please be safe. This is a bad storm, but you know it’s coming, and you know how to prepare. We’ll all get through this.

Send me a PM if you'd like more information about a certain area, and I can try my best to answer.