Hurricane Sandy liveblog: What to expect Saturday night and Sunday (+video)

Saturday Oct. 27 6:30 p.m.

As Hurricane Sandy moves inexorably toward the United States, here’s what to expect tonight and Sunday.

Prior forecasts still hold, according to the National Weather Service’s hurricane center, with high wind watches and warning in effect and significant storm surges expected.

As of 5:00 p.m. eastern daylight time Saturday, the storm was located at 30.2 degrees north latitude and 75.2 degrees west longitude, putting it about 335 miles ESE of Charleston, S.C. and about 345 miles south of Cape Hatteras, N.C.

Sandy’s maximum sustained winds blew at 75 mph, and it was moving along its track at 13 mph.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for South Santee River, S.C to Duck, N.C. as well as the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds. A tropical storm watch is in effect from the Savannah River to the South Santee River. In addition, high wind warnings are in effect for portions of southeastern Virginia. High wind watches are in effect for much of the Mid-Atlantic states and southern New England

Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach warning areas in the Carolinas within the next few hours, spreading northward tonight and Sunday. Gale force winds are expected to arrive along portions of the Mid-Atlantic coast by late Sunday or Sunday night and reach Long Island and southern New England by Monday morning. Winds to near-hurricane force could reach the Mid-Atlantic states, including Long Island, by late Monday.

Rainfall totals of 3-6 inches are expected over far eastern North Carolina with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches possible. Rainfall amounts of 4-8 inches are expected over portions of the Mid-Atlantic states, including the Del-Mar-Va peninsula, with isolate maximum amounts of 12 inches possible. Rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 5 inches are possible across parts of southern New York into New England.

Dangerous surf conditions will continue from Florida through the Carolinas for the next couple of days and spread in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states by Sunday.

“Our latest projected path takes the center of Sandy into the Northeast coast between Long Island and the Del-Mar-Va Peninsula,” reports the Weather Channel. “However, it is very important to not focus on the center of our projected path map since the major impacts will extend across a wide area well away from where Sandy's center eventually moves inland. The impacts will range from widespread destructive winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge flooding to even heavy, wet snow.”

Saturday Oct. 27 3:40 p.m.

Hurricane Sandy threatens people and pets across much of the country.  Mother Nature Network suggests these days to keep you pets safe during emergencies (courtesy of CNN).

When disaster strikes, you must be your own first responder. The right tools and the right plan can make a big difference. Here are 10 tips to help kick-start your emergency plans.

1. Create an emergency contact list. Start with friends or family members who live nearby and can reach you or your pets quickly. Make sure they have keys, necessary codes or other information to access your home, grab the pets and evacuate.

2. Make an emergency kit. Fill a backpack with at least two weeks' worth of food for your pets and plan for at least a gallon of water per day, per pet. If your animal eats wet food, then it will consume less water.

3. Try camping, or at least learn a few skills. If you lack that wilderness gene, stop by an outdoor shop for primers on purifying water or other survival skills. While you are there, stock up on a few tools, plates and a utility knife.

4. Practice makes perfect. Take a weekend and rehearse your emergency evacuation plan. It should include finding alternate exit routes for your neighborhood, just in case a downed tree or other issue creates an obstacle.

5. Sign up for a FEMA certification course or join your county emergency response team. It's one way to guarantee that you have first-hand info.

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