Hurricane Sandy batters US east coast

US President Barack Obama delivers a statement on the Hurricane Sandy situation from the press briefing room of the White House in Washington, October 29, 2012. Obama suspended campaign stops on Monday and returned to Washington to monitor the impact of Hurricane Sandy, while Republican challenger Mitt Romney dropped some events as well to show respect to the storm's potential victims. [Photo/Agencies]

US President Barack Obama pauses as he delivers a statement on the Hurricane Sandy situation from the press briefing room of the White House in Washington, October 29, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]