Wind Gusts Top 75 MPH At Wallops

WALLOPS — NASA officials this week reported its flight facility on Wallops Island, which has become one of the agency’s major launch points in recent years, sustained only minor damage during Hurricane Sandy.

An initial assessment team surveyed roads and facilities at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Tuesday and reported a number of downed trees but otherwise minimal impact in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. NASA officials are crediting a recently completed beach replenishment project for minimizing Sandy’s impact to critical launch facilities on Wallops.

“The new beach took a lot of energy out of the waves as they came in,” said Wallops Chief of Safety Glen Liebig. “It did exactly what it was designed to do.”

While the initial assessments look good, road and beach inspections continued throughout the week. The base remained closed as of mid-week as inspections continued. At Sandy’s peak, wind gusts topped out at around 75 mph on both Wallops Island and the main base area while sustained winds were around 60 mph.

About The Author: Steven Green

Alternative Text

The writer has been with The Dispatch in various capacities since 1995, including serving as editor and publisher since 2004. His previous titles were managing editor, staff writer, sports editor, sales account manager and copy editor. Growing up in Salisbury before moving to Berlin, Green graduated from Worcester Preparatory School in 1993 and graduated from Loyola University Baltimore in 1997 with degrees in Communications (journalism concentration) and Political Science.