This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/us/hurricane-sandy-barrels-region-leaving-battered-path.html
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 10 | Version 11 |
|---|---|
| Northeast Suffers Huge Damage in Storm’s Path; Millions Without Power | Northeast Suffers Huge Damage in Storm’s Path; Millions Without Power |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, which left a trail of deadly destruction, devastating power failures and extensive flooding, millions of people in the New York metropolitan region spent Tuesday assessing the damage and preparing for the possibility that it could be days or even weeks before life returned to normal. | In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, which left a trail of deadly destruction, devastating power failures and extensive flooding, millions of people in the New York metropolitan region spent Tuesday assessing the damage and preparing for the possibility that it could be days or even weeks before life returned to normal. |
| Throughout the day on Tuesday, there were reports of daring rescue operations as people began to grasp the magnitude of the damage done by the violent winds and lashing rains that transformed the landscapes of New York City and the wider region into tableaus of destruction both stark and unprecedented. | Throughout the day on Tuesday, there were reports of daring rescue operations as people began to grasp the magnitude of the damage done by the violent winds and lashing rains that transformed the landscapes of New York City and the wider region into tableaus of destruction both stark and unprecedented. |
| As night fell, more than eight million people, including many in a large swath of Manhattan, were without electricity. Streets were littered with debris and buildings were damaged. Seven subway tunnels under the East River were flooded. While several bridges over the river were set to reopen, other mass transit services, including commuter rail, were still suspended. | As night fell, more than eight million people, including many in a large swath of Manhattan, were without electricity. Streets were littered with debris and buildings were damaged. Seven subway tunnels under the East River were flooded. While several bridges over the river were set to reopen, other mass transit services, including commuter rail, were still suspended. |
| In New York State, the deaths of at least 18 people were linked to the storm, with at least 10 victims reported in New York City alone. | In New York State, the deaths of at least 18 people were linked to the storm, with at least 10 victims reported in New York City alone. |
| One person was killed after stepping into a puddle where a power line had fallen, and several others were killed by falling tree limbs, the authorities said. | One person was killed after stepping into a puddle where a power line had fallen, and several others were killed by falling tree limbs, the authorities said. |
| As attention turned to the recovery efforts, officials across the region cautioned that it could take some time to restore both electricity and basic service given the unprecedented nature of the storm. | As attention turned to the recovery efforts, officials across the region cautioned that it could take some time to restore both electricity and basic service given the unprecedented nature of the storm. |
| “We have a plan for recovery and that recovery is already beginning,” Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said in an evening news conference. The city was working on restoring electricity and mass transit, but he cautioned that it was a “mammoth” undertaking. | “We have a plan for recovery and that recovery is already beginning,” Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said in an evening news conference. The city was working on restoring electricity and mass transit, but he cautioned that it was a “mammoth” undertaking. |
| Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, who described his experience traveling around the city at the height of the storm on Monday night as “frightening,” said people should expect “long-term recovery and reconstruction.” | Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, who described his experience traveling around the city at the height of the storm on Monday night as “frightening,” said people should expect “long-term recovery and reconstruction.” |
| President Obama, who is planning to visit New Jersey’s ravaged coast on Wednesday with Gov. Chris Christie, promised on Tuesday “to do everything we can do to get aid” to those affected by the storm, saying there would be “no bureaucracy, no red tape.” | President Obama, who is planning to visit New Jersey’s ravaged coast on Wednesday with Gov. Chris Christie, promised on Tuesday “to do everything we can do to get aid” to those affected by the storm, saying there would be “no bureaucracy, no red tape.” |
| “America is with you,” the president said. “Obviously this is something that is heartbreaking for the entire nation.” | “America is with you,” the president said. “Obviously this is something that is heartbreaking for the entire nation.” |
| There were at least 38 deaths in eight states over 48 hours, when the storm toppled trees, whipped up destructive winds and sparked fires in several areas, government officials and emergency authorities said. | There were at least 38 deaths in eight states over 48 hours, when the storm toppled trees, whipped up destructive winds and sparked fires in several areas, government officials and emergency authorities said. |
| One of the most devastating fires was in Breezy Point, Queens, where more than 200 firefighters worked to contain a blaze that left more than 80 homes destroyed, including that of Representative Bob Turner. Mr. Bloomberg compared what he saw there to the photographs of the devastation in photos after bombings in World War II. | One of the most devastating fires was in Breezy Point, Queens, where more than 200 firefighters worked to contain a blaze that left more than 80 homes destroyed, including that of Representative Bob Turner. Mr. Bloomberg compared what he saw there to the photographs of the devastation in photos after bombings in World War II. |
| Mr. Christie, during a morning news conference, marveled at the strength of the storm, calling the damage he had seen “unthinkable.” Citing just one example, he noted how a tidal surge lifted two dozen small freight cars off train tracks and onto an elevated section of the New Jersey Turnpike in Carteret. | Mr. Christie, during a morning news conference, marveled at the strength of the storm, calling the damage he had seen “unthinkable.” Citing just one example, he noted how a tidal surge lifted two dozen small freight cars off train tracks and onto an elevated section of the New Jersey Turnpike in Carteret. |
| There were also reports of heroic rescues. For example, in Seaside Heights, N.J., the police plucked two people from a tree in the middle of the storm after their home was swamped with water and they tried to swim to safety. | |
| On Fire Island, several people who did not heed evacuation orders remained trapped and cut off Tuesday evening. Most businesses and schools were closed from Cape May, N.J., to New London, Conn., and life had ground to a halt as residents hunkered down with stocks of food and water. There was no clear timetable for a resumption of services, like transportation. | |
| By Tuesday evening, many people were somewhat dazed, taking in the totality of the damage and looking for information on basic services, a search complicated by the fact that without power, many were also without cellphone and television service. | By Tuesday evening, many people were somewhat dazed, taking in the totality of the damage and looking for information on basic services, a search complicated by the fact that without power, many were also without cellphone and television service. |
| Mr. Bloomberg said that schools would remain closed for a third day on Wednesday, and that the authorities would try to restore subway service in about four days, but he did not provide an exact date. | Mr. Bloomberg said that schools would remain closed for a third day on Wednesday, and that the authorities would try to restore subway service in about four days, but he did not provide an exact date. |
| The storm surge, which reached a record-setting 13 feet in Lower Manhattan, sent brackish water pouring into so many subway tunnels that most of the day Tuesday was spent assessing the damage. | The storm surge, which reached a record-setting 13 feet in Lower Manhattan, sent brackish water pouring into so many subway tunnels that most of the day Tuesday was spent assessing the damage. |
| Joseph J. Lhota, the chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said that it was the most destructive storm in the 108-year history of the subway system. Even after the storm passed, one of the most striking symbols of the scope of the challenge in New York City remained visible 80 stories overhead, where a wind-tossed construction crane atop one of Manhattan’s tallest buildings still dangled over West 57th Street after coming loose during the storm. The tentative plan was to try and secure the damaged part of the crane to the main body, which runs up the side of the building and then erect another crane to take the broken one down, Mayor Bloomberg said. | Joseph J. Lhota, the chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said that it was the most destructive storm in the 108-year history of the subway system. Even after the storm passed, one of the most striking symbols of the scope of the challenge in New York City remained visible 80 stories overhead, where a wind-tossed construction crane atop one of Manhattan’s tallest buildings still dangled over West 57th Street after coming loose during the storm. The tentative plan was to try and secure the damaged part of the crane to the main body, which runs up the side of the building and then erect another crane to take the broken one down, Mayor Bloomberg said. |
| As the storm made its way across the Atlantic this week, the authorities had ordered mandatory evacuations in many low-lying areas of states along the coast to clear residents from the anticipated surge and powerful winds. At one point, hurricane-force winds extended up to 175 miles from the center of the storm; tropical-storm-force winds spread out 485 miles from that center. | As the storm made its way across the Atlantic this week, the authorities had ordered mandatory evacuations in many low-lying areas of states along the coast to clear residents from the anticipated surge and powerful winds. At one point, hurricane-force winds extended up to 175 miles from the center of the storm; tropical-storm-force winds spread out 485 miles from that center. |
| Many of the people who needed rescuing had not heeded those warnings. | Many of the people who needed rescuing had not heeded those warnings. |
| Forecasters tracked the storm’s path shifting well to the west, with prediction models suggesting it would run through central Pennsylvania and western New York and enter southern Ontario by Wednesday, said Eric Blake, a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center in Miami. | Forecasters tracked the storm’s path shifting well to the west, with prediction models suggesting it would run through central Pennsylvania and western New York and enter southern Ontario by Wednesday, said Eric Blake, a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center in Miami. |
| Rain levels are expected to diminish as the storm continues to move inland and loses contact with the ocean — its source of moisture — though wind damage is still probable across a broad stretch of the country, Mr. Blake said. “You’ve got rain or snow extending from Georgia through Maine and Michigan,” he said. “When you have something over Pennsylvania, and Lake Michigan is seeing gale-force winds, you’ve got a very large storm.” | Rain levels are expected to diminish as the storm continues to move inland and loses contact with the ocean — its source of moisture — though wind damage is still probable across a broad stretch of the country, Mr. Blake said. “You’ve got rain or snow extending from Georgia through Maine and Michigan,” he said. “When you have something over Pennsylvania, and Lake Michigan is seeing gale-force winds, you’ve got a very large storm.” |
| Airline flights were canceled at the three major airports in the New York City area. | Airline flights were canceled at the three major airports in the New York City area. |
| Some of the bridges linking Manhattan to other boroughs opened again on Tuesday and there was limited bus service in the city by evening. | Some of the bridges linking Manhattan to other boroughs opened again on Tuesday and there was limited bus service in the city by evening. |
| The New York Stock Exchange intended to reopen on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. but it was testing its contingency plan “just in case,” Larry Leibowitz, the company’s chief operating officer, said, according to Reuters. The New York City Marathon was also set to be held on schedule on Sunday, race officials said. | The New York Stock Exchange intended to reopen on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. but it was testing its contingency plan “just in case,” Larry Leibowitz, the company’s chief operating officer, said, according to Reuters. The New York City Marathon was also set to be held on schedule on Sunday, race officials said. |
| The surging water also caused extensive complications at NYU Langone Medical Center when a backup power system failed on Monday night, forcing the evacuation of patients to other facilities. Backup power also failed at Coney Island Hospital in southern Brooklyn, though critical patients had been evacuated in advance of the storm. | The surging water also caused extensive complications at NYU Langone Medical Center when a backup power system failed on Monday night, forcing the evacuation of patients to other facilities. Backup power also failed at Coney Island Hospital in southern Brooklyn, though critical patients had been evacuated in advance of the storm. |
| The deaths included a 30-year-old man who was killed when a house fell in Queens, the police said. About the same time, two boys, ages 11 and 13, were killed in North Salem, in northern Westchester County, when a tree fell on the house they were in, according to the State Police. The storm was tied to another three deaths in Maryland, two in Connecticut and one in West Virginia, state authorities said. | The deaths included a 30-year-old man who was killed when a house fell in Queens, the police said. About the same time, two boys, ages 11 and 13, were killed in North Salem, in northern Westchester County, when a tree fell on the house they were in, according to the State Police. The storm was tied to another three deaths in Maryland, two in Connecticut and one in West Virginia, state authorities said. |
| Officials in Pennsylvania said two deaths, of a boy in Susquehanna County and of a 62-year-old man in Berks County, were being investigated but that the county coroner had not yet confirmed them as related to the storm. In North Carolina, a man was killed when his vehicle hit a tree that was crashing down in Surry County, said an official with the state emergency offices. | Officials in Pennsylvania said two deaths, of a boy in Susquehanna County and of a 62-year-old man in Berks County, were being investigated but that the county coroner had not yet confirmed them as related to the storm. In North Carolina, a man was killed when his vehicle hit a tree that was crashing down in Surry County, said an official with the state emergency offices. |
| In New Jersey, the wind-driven rain lashed sea walls and protective barriers in places like Atlantic City, where the Boardwalk was damaged as water forced its way inland. | In New Jersey, the wind-driven rain lashed sea walls and protective barriers in places like Atlantic City, where the Boardwalk was damaged as water forced its way inland. |
| The extent of the destruction was clear from video taken from a helicopter as officials surveyed the damage. In town after town along the Jersey Shore, houses were leveled, boardwalks destroyed and smoke smoldered from dying fires. | The extent of the destruction was clear from video taken from a helicopter as officials surveyed the damage. In town after town along the Jersey Shore, houses were leveled, boardwalks destroyed and smoke smoldered from dying fires. |
| In New York City, where streets turned into rivers on Monday, there were signs everywhere of the power of the waves that topped the sea wall in the financial district in Manhattan, sending cars floating down streets, and swamped West Street, along the western edge of Lower Manhattan. | In New York City, where streets turned into rivers on Monday, there were signs everywhere of the power of the waves that topped the sea wall in the financial district in Manhattan, sending cars floating down streets, and swamped West Street, along the western edge of Lower Manhattan. |
| Mr. Cuomo described the shock of seeing water rush into the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, which was flooded “from end to end,” according to the transportation authority. The water rushed in only hours after it was closed to traffic. Officials said water also found its way into seven subway tunnels under the East River. | Mr. Cuomo described the shock of seeing water rush into the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, which was flooded “from end to end,” according to the transportation authority. The water rushed in only hours after it was closed to traffic. Officials said water also found its way into seven subway tunnels under the East River. |
| Consolidated Edison said Tuesday night that it was slowly getting service back for some customers but did not provide a timeline for the vast bulk of those without service. Mr. Bloomberg said many people would not have power until the weekend. On Tuesday morning, there were 634,000 customers in New York City and Westchester County were without power. Con Ed, fearing damage to its electrical equipment, shut down power pre-emptively in sections of Lower Manhattan on Monday evening, and then, at 8:30 p.m., an unplanned failure, probably caused by flooding in substations, knocked out power to most of Manhattan below Midtown, affecting about 250,000 customers. Later, an explosion at a Con Ed substation on East 14th Street knocked out power to another 250,000 customers. | Consolidated Edison said Tuesday night that it was slowly getting service back for some customers but did not provide a timeline for the vast bulk of those without service. Mr. Bloomberg said many people would not have power until the weekend. On Tuesday morning, there were 634,000 customers in New York City and Westchester County were without power. Con Ed, fearing damage to its electrical equipment, shut down power pre-emptively in sections of Lower Manhattan on Monday evening, and then, at 8:30 p.m., an unplanned failure, probably caused by flooding in substations, knocked out power to most of Manhattan below Midtown, affecting about 250,000 customers. Later, an explosion at a Con Ed substation on East 14th Street knocked out power to another 250,000 customers. |
| Much of Manhattan could be without electricity for several days after the explosion, a spokesman for Con Ed said Tuesday morning. More than 240,000 customers — and many more people — were without power more than 12 hours after the explosion; a customer can represent a single family or an entire building, utility officials said. | Much of Manhattan could be without electricity for several days after the explosion, a spokesman for Con Ed said Tuesday morning. More than 240,000 customers — and many more people — were without power more than 12 hours after the explosion; a customer can represent a single family or an entire building, utility officials said. |
| The blast knocked out electricity for all of Manhattan below 39th Street on the East Side and 31st Street on the West Side — with the exception of a few pockets, including Battery Park City. | The blast knocked out electricity for all of Manhattan below 39th Street on the East Side and 31st Street on the West Side — with the exception of a few pockets, including Battery Park City. |
Reporting on the storm was contributed by Peter Applebome, Charles V. Bagli, Joseph Berger, Nina Bernstein, Cara Buckley, Russ Buettner, David W. Chen, Annie Correal, Sam Dolnick, Christopher Drew, David W. Dunlap, Ann Farmer, Lisa W. Foderaro, Joseph Goldstein, David M. Halbfinger, Christine Hauser, Elizabeth A. Harris, Winnie Hu, Jon Hurdle, Thomas Kaplan, Corey Kilgannon, John Leland, Randy Leonard, Patrick McGeehan, Jad Mouawad, Colin Moynihan, Sarah Maslin Nir, Sharon Otterman, William K. Rashbaum, Ray Rivera, Liz Robbins, Wendy Ruderman, Nate Schweber, Michael Schwirtz, Mosi Secret, Kirk Semple, Joe Sharkey, Brian Stelter, Kate Taylor, Julie Turkewitz, Matthew L. Wald, Michael Wilson, Michael Winerip, Vivian Yee and Kate Zernike. | Reporting on the storm was contributed by Peter Applebome, Charles V. Bagli, Joseph Berger, Nina Bernstein, Cara Buckley, Russ Buettner, David W. Chen, Annie Correal, Sam Dolnick, Christopher Drew, David W. Dunlap, Ann Farmer, Lisa W. Foderaro, Joseph Goldstein, David M. Halbfinger, Christine Hauser, Elizabeth A. Harris, Winnie Hu, Jon Hurdle, Thomas Kaplan, Corey Kilgannon, John Leland, Randy Leonard, Patrick McGeehan, Jad Mouawad, Colin Moynihan, Sarah Maslin Nir, Sharon Otterman, William K. Rashbaum, Ray Rivera, Liz Robbins, Wendy Ruderman, Nate Schweber, Michael Schwirtz, Mosi Secret, Kirk Semple, Joe Sharkey, Brian Stelter, Kate Taylor, Julie Turkewitz, Matthew L. Wald, Michael Wilson, Michael Winerip, Vivian Yee and Kate Zernike. |