Public transport halted as hurricane heads for New York

Hurricane Sandy grew stronger before dawn this morning as it churned northward through the Atlantic Ocean en route to what forecasters agreed would be a devastating landfall, possibly within 100 miles of New York City.

 

It has been reported that thousands of people have been ordered to leave their homes, evacuation shelters have been set up in 76 schools, public transport has been halted and the New York Stock Exchange closed.

 

Officials warned that the powerful surge the storm was creating in the ocean, combined with the strong winds, could wreak destruction in the Northeast for days. As many as 10 million people were expected to lose electricity as Sandy toppled trees and light poles and ripped down power lines.

 

Warning that the flooding would be “life-threatening,” forecasters and government officials implored residents in the areas designated for evacuation not to try to ride this storm out. Sandy has already killed 60 people after sweeping through the Caribbean in the past week.

 

Campaigning for the US presidential election has also been disrupted, eight days ahead of election day.

 

For more in-depth and updated analysis visit www.nytimes.com