Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Live: Sandy Cuts Power to Millions, Causes Historic Flooding

By , Expert Senior Meteorologist
October 30,2012; 9:49AM,EDT



Millions of people are without power in 16 states, after Sandy slammed into New Jersey on Monday evening. The storm shut down the New York City subways and the Battery has registered record-high flooding.
The National Hurricane Center said that post-tropical cyclone Sandy officially made landfall near Atlantic City around 8 p.m. EDT.
LATEST UPDATES:
10:30 a.m. EDT Tuesday: "There are currently 2.4 million households without power, twice the number from Irene. #Sandy," Governor Christie tweeted.
9:38 a.m. EDT Tuesday: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that 7.4 million lost power from Sandy and 17 people were killed in the U.S. The power outages from Sandy fall just short of those caused by Hurricane Ike.
9:20 a.m. EDT Tuesday: WABC-TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News: "Governor Cuomo announced this morning the reopening of the Tappan Zee Bridge, effective at 9 a.m. Motorists are reminded to drive carefully. Local roads in Westchester and Rockland may be closed due to flooding or blockage from storm debris. With extensive recovery efforts underway, the Governor advises against any unnecessary travel, which will enable repair crews to move quickly to the areas requiring immediate attention."
9:15 a.m. EDT Tuesday: Major travel problems are continuing in the big Northeast cities as a result of Sandy. Hundreds of flights have been canceled today at Philadelphia International Airport, Newark Liberty International, La Guardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International and Logan International Airport in Boston. According to FlightStats.com, a total of 5,815 flights have been canceled in the U.S. so far today.
8:30 a.m. EDT Tuesday: There will be a risk of damaging thunderstorms across portions of New England today, including across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and southeastern Maine. Gusty winds will be the primary concern. AccuWeather Expert Senior Meteorologist Mark Mancuso emphasized that this is a bad scenario with many people without power and means of communication.
7:00 a.m. EDT Tuesday: Flooding occurred along the Hudson River due to Sandy's storm surge. The Hudson River rose to 9.54 feet at Poughkeepsie, N.Y., located 59 miles north of Central Park, setting a new record high. The old record was 8.00 feet set on Aug. 28, 2011. The Hudson River reached 11.30 feet at Albany, N.Y., located 135 miles north of Central Park. Flood stage at Albany is 11.00 feet.
6:35 a.m. EDT Tuesday: Moderate flooding is occurring in the Chesapeake Bay with high tide. Minor flooding is being reported in Baltimore, Md. Meanwhile, major flooding is occurring in Cleveland, Ohio, along the Cuyahoga River. The water level is at 20.92 feet there, which is not too far short of the record flood stage 23.3 feet.
6:10 a.m. EDT Tuesday: Reuters reports that a levee has broken in northern New Jersey, in Bergen County, flooding three towns with as much as 4-5 feet of water. The towns impacted include Moonachie, Little Ferrie and Carlstadt. Click here for details.
6:05 a.m. EDT Tuesday: NYC Fire Update: 200 firefighters involved with massive 6-alarm fire in Breezy Point section of the Rockaway peninsula in Queens.
4:15 a.m. EDT Tuesday: Approximately 1/4 of the population of New Jersey is now without electricity.
4:00 a.m. EDT Tuesday: NYC Fire Update: Breezy Point section of the Rockaway peninsula in Queens engulfed in 6-alarm fire. 60 structures are involved.
3:15 a.m. EDT Tuesday: Massive 5-alarm fire burning scores of homes in Breezy Point section of the Rockaway peninsula in Queens.
2:15 a.m. EDT Tuesday: A total of nearly 7 million people are now without electricity due to Sandy.
1:00 a.m. EDT Tuesday: 17 inches of snow has fallen so far in Davis, WV. Much more to come.
For reports from Sandy before landfall on Monday, click here.
For reports from Sandy over the weekend, click here.
Thumbnail image from New York City was tweeted by Elias Lopez on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. To see an entire collection of photos from Sandy, click here.
Content contributed by AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Meghan Evans.

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