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| Superstorm Sandy damage assessment: a round-up | Superstorm Sandy damage assessment: a round-up |
| (5 months later) | |
| Residents in large parts of America's east coast spent Tuesday surveying the damage caused by one of the worst storms ever to hit the region. | Residents in large parts of America's east coast spent Tuesday surveying the damage caused by one of the worst storms ever to hit the region. |
| Superstorm Sandy tore through New Jersey and New York after making landfall Tuesday evening near Atlantic City. But the damage was more widespread, covering a number of states north of North Carolina. | Superstorm Sandy tore through New Jersey and New York after making landfall Tuesday evening near Atlantic City. But the damage was more widespread, covering a number of states north of North Carolina. |
| Here's a rundown of trail of destruction Sandy has left in her path: | Here's a rundown of trail of destruction Sandy has left in her path: |
| Deaths | Deaths |
| As of Tuesday mid-morning, at least 33 deaths had been attributed to the superstorm across seven states. That figure looks certain to rise. Of the known deaths, 17 were in New York state – the majority the result of falling trees and branches. | As of Tuesday mid-morning, at least 33 deaths had been attributed to the superstorm across seven states. That figure looks certain to rise. Of the known deaths, 17 were in New York state – the majority the result of falling trees and branches. |
| It adds to the 69 people known to have died when Sandy ripped through the Caribbean ahead of making its way up the Atlantic coast. In addition, at least one death in Canada has been blamed on Sandy. | It adds to the 69 people known to have died when Sandy ripped through the Caribbean ahead of making its way up the Atlantic coast. In addition, at least one death in Canada has been blamed on Sandy. |
| Power blackouts | Power blackouts |
| More than seven million homes and businesses have been left without power as a result of the storm. Whole neighbourhoods in Manhattan – the most densely populated area in the US – went out, with power being lost "river to river," mayor Michael Bloomberg said. Some of the blackouts were deliberate, with power giant ConEd shutting off services to protect underground equipment in New York City. | More than seven million homes and businesses have been left without power as a result of the storm. Whole neighbourhoods in Manhattan – the most densely populated area in the US – went out, with power being lost "river to river," mayor Michael Bloomberg said. Some of the blackouts were deliberate, with power giant ConEd shutting off services to protect underground equipment in New York City. |
| In New Jersey, an estimated 2.4 million people were left without electricity. State governor Chris Christie warned that families could be left without heat or electricity for more than a week. | In New Jersey, an estimated 2.4 million people were left without electricity. State governor Chris Christie warned that families could be left without heat or electricity for more than a week. |
| Connecticut was also badly hit, with more than 615,000 households left in the dark. | Connecticut was also badly hit, with more than 615,000 households left in the dark. |
| Housing | Housing |
| Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate after being identified as being most at risk from the storm. In lower Manhattan and low-lying parts of Brooklyn, 375,000 people were told to leave their homes. In Delaware, 50,00 people were evacuated, while in Atlantic City, New Jersey, 30,000 residents were told to find alternative shelter. | Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate after being identified as being most at risk from the storm. In lower Manhattan and low-lying parts of Brooklyn, 375,000 people were told to leave their homes. In Delaware, 50,00 people were evacuated, while in Atlantic City, New Jersey, 30,000 residents were told to find alternative shelter. |
| Flooding | Flooding |
| Record storm surges left much of lower Manhattan battling rising waters. New Jersey suffered some of the worst of the flooding, with the town of Moonachie needing rescuing after a levee broke. | Record storm surges left much of lower Manhattan battling rising waters. New Jersey suffered some of the worst of the flooding, with the town of Moonachie needing rescuing after a levee broke. |
| Authorities said that about 800 people, some of them living in a trailer park, were left stranded as a result. In Hoboken, around half of the town was cut off by floodwater, according to eyewitnesses. | Authorities said that about 800 people, some of them living in a trailer park, were left stranded as a result. In Hoboken, around half of the town was cut off by floodwater, according to eyewitnesses. |
| Snow | Snow |
| Parts of West Virginia were under a foot of snow and counties in Kentucky were put under a winter storm warning. Likewise, areas of Virginia, Ohio and Maryland reported snow. A blizzard in Maryland resulted in a pile-up of tractor trailers that blocked part of Interstate 68. As well as being a traffic hazard, heavy snow increases the likelihood of power lines being brought down. | Parts of West Virginia were under a foot of snow and counties in Kentucky were put under a winter storm warning. Likewise, areas of Virginia, Ohio and Maryland reported snow. A blizzard in Maryland resulted in a pile-up of tractor trailers that blocked part of Interstate 68. As well as being a traffic hazard, heavy snow increases the likelihood of power lines being brought down. |
| Fires | Fires |
| Flooded basements and broken power lines have increased the risk of fires breaking out. A huge blaze in a flooded area of the New York borough of Queens destroyed up to 100 houses in one of the most dramatic incidents of the storm. Three people were injured in the effort to rescue residents. | Flooded basements and broken power lines have increased the risk of fires breaking out. A huge blaze in a flooded area of the New York borough of Queens destroyed up to 100 houses in one of the most dramatic incidents of the storm. Three people were injured in the effort to rescue residents. |
| Public transport | Public transport |
| Across the north-east, major cities ground to a standstill as mass transit systems suspended services in anticipation of expected floodwaters. In New York City, bridges and tunnels to and from Manhattan closed, completing the stranding of the island following the buffering of subway trains. | Across the north-east, major cities ground to a standstill as mass transit systems suspended services in anticipation of expected floodwaters. In New York City, bridges and tunnels to and from Manhattan closed, completing the stranding of the island following the buffering of subway trains. |
| Amtrak said Wednesday that it would make a decision later in the day as to whether it would resume train services linking cities across the north-east. | Amtrak said Wednesday that it would make a decision later in the day as to whether it would resume train services linking cities across the north-east. |
| Roads | Roads |
| Roads across the region remain hazardous, due to high winds and the possibility of fallen branches. Manhattan remains cut off after commuter tunnels flooded and bridges were shut. Jersey City remained closed to cars Tuesday after the traffic light system went out. | Roads across the region remain hazardous, due to high winds and the possibility of fallen branches. Manhattan remains cut off after commuter tunnels flooded and bridges were shut. Jersey City remained closed to cars Tuesday after the traffic light system went out. |
| Hospitals | Hospitals |
| NYU hospital in midtown Manhattan was among the buildings to experience a power blackout. The back-up system also went out, resulting in the evacuation of 215 patients – including infants from its neonatal intensive care unit. | NYU hospital in midtown Manhattan was among the buildings to experience a power blackout. The back-up system also went out, resulting in the evacuation of 215 patients – including infants from its neonatal intensive care unit. |
| Communications | Communications |
| Phone and cable companies are still assessing the damage caused by the storm, but outages have occurred across the regions. Verizon, the largest provider in the north-east, reported that its facilities in downtown Manhattan had flooded, shutting down mobile and internet for customers. Meanwhile AT&T said it had "issues" in the worst hit areas, and was in the early stages of checking for damage. | Phone and cable companies are still assessing the damage caused by the storm, but outages have occurred across the regions. Verizon, the largest provider in the north-east, reported that its facilities in downtown Manhattan had flooded, shutting down mobile and internet for customers. Meanwhile AT&T said it had "issues" in the worst hit areas, and was in the early stages of checking for damage. |
| Flights | Flights |
| More than 15,000 flights across the north-east region were grounded, and it could be some days before normal service resumes. The two main international airports servicing New York City – JFK and Newark – were closed, as was LaGuardia, the domestic hub. New York accounts for a quarter of all US flights, so the cancellation has had a knock-on effect across the county. | More than 15,000 flights across the north-east region were grounded, and it could be some days before normal service resumes. The two main international airports servicing New York City – JFK and Newark – were closed, as was LaGuardia, the domestic hub. New York accounts for a quarter of all US flights, so the cancellation has had a knock-on effect across the county. |
Political impact | Political impact |
| The storm has led to a suspension of politics as usual, with Barack Obama and Mitt Romney forced to shelve campaigning for at least 48 hours. So close to the election, it is yet to be seen how the disruption will play out. But neither candidate could risk being seen to put politics ahead of public interests during a national emergency. | The storm has led to a suspension of politics as usual, with Barack Obama and Mitt Romney forced to shelve campaigning for at least 48 hours. So close to the election, it is yet to be seen how the disruption will play out. But neither candidate could risk being seen to put politics ahead of public interests during a national emergency. |
| Meanwhile, early voting has been suspended in some states, in a move that could affect Obama more than Romney. | Meanwhile, early voting has been suspended in some states, in a move that could affect Obama more than Romney. |
| Economic impact | Economic impact |
| The total bill of the damage and the clean-up operation could be as much as $20bn, according risk advisory firm Eqecat. Insured losses could account for half of the total sum. | The total bill of the damage and the clean-up operation could be as much as $20bn, according risk advisory firm Eqecat. Insured losses could account for half of the total sum. |
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