is a Category 1 (maaaaybe Cat 2) hurricane an indicator of stronger future storms due to climate change? This one just stayed that way until it hit land further north than we have seen in recent years. Worse has been seen years ago and further north (Carol, Storm of '38', etc). The problem is that such storms only rarely combine to pack a punch especially in areas where we've now had another 50 years of coastal development and population increase. This is nothing new, but the damage appears more widespread since the population is larger and denser than it was 50-100 years ago.

PC Disclaimer: This in no way is intended to disparage, minimalize, trivialize or in any way marginalize the suffering, damage and loss experienced due to Sandy. I am grateful not to have had to experience it and sympathize with those who have been affected by the storm.