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New storm hits New York and New Jersey after Sandy New storm hits New York and New Jersey after Sandy
(about 9 hours later)
New York and New Jersey residents have been warned to evacuate their homes as a new storm hits the area still reeling from Sandy's devastating impact. Tens of thousands of residents in New York and New Jersey have again lost power as a winter storm hit areas still recovering from Sandy's devastating impact.
Some 650,000 buildings remain without power one week after storm Sandy struck, killing at least 106 people. Some people were again forced to leave their homes and public transport was affected.
The latest storm has already brought some snow, with forecasters also predicting heavy rains and high winds. Winds gusted at up to 60mph (100km/h) bringing down trees and power lines.
The low-pressure system, which is not unusual for the season, is expected to strengthen and last into Thursday. New Jersey state governor Chris Christie said: "I am waiting for the locusts and pestilence next."
The storm, known as a nor'easter, was forecast to intensify as it moved north on Wednesday, with gusts of up to 97 km/h (60mph), the National Weather Service said. Power companies in the two states report more than 100,000 customers suffered power outages. Some 650,000 buildings were already without power one week after storm Sandy struck, killing more than 100 people.
At least 1,200 flights have been cancelled in and outside the New York metropolitan area. But the damage from the latest storm, a northeaster, was less than had been feared.
New York's main utility company, Consolidated Edison, warned of further power cuts. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said low-lying areas had not been flooded at high tide on Wednesday afternoon.
"We are expecting there will be outages created by the new storm, and it's possible people who have just been restored from Sandy will lose power again," spokesman Mike Clendenin said. Beaches closed
'Waiting for locusts' But Mr Bloomberg said he was still concerned about the security of those areas where flood defences had not yet been repaired.
New York police visited particularly vulnerable neighbourhoods in low-lying parts of the city and used patrol car loudspeakers to encourage residents to leave their homes. He had closed parks and beaches and temporarily halted outdoor construction.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg also closed parks and beaches and temporarily halted outdoor construction.
But he said there was no need for mandatory evacuations because the storm was not expected to be as strong as Sandy.But he said there was no need for mandatory evacuations because the storm was not expected to be as strong as Sandy.
"We haven't and won't order the kind of large-scale evacuation that we did in advance of Hurricane Sandy," Mr Bloomberg told reporters.
"But if you experienced significant flooding during Sandy, then you should consider taking shelter with friends and family at a safer spot or using one of the city's storm shelters."
Long Island resident Rudi Schlachter, who was forced to move her family to the upper floors of their home due to severe flooding last week, said she was evacuating the area altogether now.Long Island resident Rudi Schlachter, who was forced to move her family to the upper floors of their home due to severe flooding last week, said she was evacuating the area altogether now.
"All you need is a gale of wind driving a piece of wood into somebody's window," she said. "We're leaving; I don't want my kids to see the water again.""All you need is a gale of wind driving a piece of wood into somebody's window," she said. "We're leaving; I don't want my kids to see the water again."
Meanwhile New Jersey Governor Chris Christie ordered new evacuations in a number of shore-line communities already badly battered by Sandy. President Obama spoke to the governor of New York and New Jersey on Wednesday, with the discussions focussed on the continuing fuel shortages in the region.
"I am waiting for the locusts and pestilence next. We may take a setback in the next 24 hours," he said. Major airlines cancelled flights in and out of New York and New Jersey ahead of the storm.
So far 95,000 people have registered for emergency housing assistance in New York and New Jersey after Sandy, according to the US Federal Emergency Management Agency. It added that it was ready to deploy additional resources if needed.So far 95,000 people have registered for emergency housing assistance in New York and New Jersey after Sandy, according to the US Federal Emergency Management Agency. It added that it was ready to deploy additional resources if needed.
Are you in the path of the storm? Have you been warned to evacuate your home? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in the path of the storm? Have you been warned to evacuate your home? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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