Superstorm Sandy floods NYC streets, causes blackouts
Updated: 2012-10-30 16:47
(Agencies)
|
||||||||
Largest ever
The storm's wind field stretched from the Canadian border to South Carolina, and from West Virginia to an Atlantic Ocean point about halfway between the United States and Bermuda, easily one of the largest ever seen.
The National Hurricane Center said Sandy came ashore as a "post-tropical cyclone", meaning it still packed hurricane-force winds but lost the characteristics of a tropical storm. It had sustained winds of 80 miles per hour (129 kph), well above the threshold for hurricane intensity.
Storm surf kicked up by the high winds from Sandy break onto homes in Southampton, New York, Oct 29, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
With eight days to go before the election, President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney canceled scheduled campaign events. Both candidates acted cautiously to avoid coming across as overtly political while millions of people are imperiled.
US stock markets were closed on Monday for the first time since the attacks of Sept 11, 2001, and were set to remain shut on Tuesday. The federal government in Washington was closed, and schools were shut up and down the East Coast.
NYSE Euronext said there had been no damage to the New York Stock Exchange headquarters that could impair trading floor operations, but it was making contingency plans in case of such damage.
One disaster forecasting company predicted economic losses could ultimately reach $20 billion, only half insured.
Governors up and down the East Coast declared states of emergency. Maryland's Martin O'Malley warned there was no question Sandy would kill people in its path.
Sandy made landfall just south of Atlantic City, about 120 miles (190 km) southwest of Manhattan. Casinos in the gambling destination had already shut down.
- US nuclear plant declares 'alert' after Sandy
- Sandy forces 10,000 flight cancellations in US northeast coast
- Sandy an X-factor in election
- Sandy makes landfall in New Jersey
- Stock exchange shuts down ahead of Sandy
- Hurricane Sandy upends global travel
- Stock exchange shuts down ahead of sandy
- Hurricane Sandy batters US east coast
- New York prepares for Hurricane Sandy
- Hurricane Sandy looms over sprint to US election
- Sandy pounded the Bahamas, leaves 21 dead in Caribbean
- Relief reaches isolated village
- Rainfall poses new threats to quake-hit region
- Funerals begin for Boston bombing victims
- Quake takeaway from China's Air Force
- Obama celebrates young inventors at science fair
- Earth Day marked around the world
- Volunteer team helping students find sense of normalcy
- Ethnic groups quick to join rescue efforts
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Supplies pour into isolated villages |
All-out efforts to save lives |
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
New commissioner
|
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Today's Top News
Health new priority for quake zone
Xi meets US top military officer
Japan's boats driven out of Diaoyu
China mulls online shopping legislation
Bird flu death toll rises to 22
Putin appoints new ambassador to China
Japanese ships blocked from Diaoyu Islands
Inspired by Guan, more Chinese pick up golf
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |