Sandy, the hurricane-turned-superstorm that has been pummeling much of the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and New England since the weekend, is now moving north on a path that will take it through most of New York State and then on to southern Ontario, Quebec and northern New England.
In the storm's wake: At least 16 deaths as dawn was breaking today; power outages affecting more than 7 million customers; a large fire in Queens, N.Y., that has destroyed dozens of home; schools, businesses and financial markets still closed; cities in lockdown as first responders try to get to those in danger and to assess the damage.
In short, a region still weighed down by the massive storm.
"It's like a dark forest down here," NPR's Robert Smith said early today from the black, empty streets of Manhattan.
According to The Associated Press, "storm damage was projected at $10 billion to $20 billion, meaning it could prove to be one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history."
We'll be updating this post throughout the day.
Update at 6:40 a.m. ET. The Latest Forecast.
From the National Weather Service:
"THERE ARE HIGH-WIND WARNINGS IN EFFECT ... INCLUDING GALE FORCE WINDS OVER THE COASTAL WATERS OF THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES ... NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND. STORM WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF THE MID ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS. FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD WATCHES AND WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT OVER PORTIONS OF THE MID-ATLANTIC AND NORTHEAST STATES."
Update at 6:30 a.m. ET. On The Fire In Queens:
WNYC reports that "firefighters are battling a massive blaze in Breezy Point, Queens. The fire has gone to six alarms and has destroyed more than 50 homes as of 4:30 a.m. 190 firefighters on scene. Only two minor injuries reported so far."
Update at 6:20 a.m. ET. Levee Break In New Jersey:
A levee has broken in northern New Jersey, the AP says, "flooding the towns of Moonachie, Little Ferry and Carlstadt." Rescue operations are under way to get to people there.
Update at 6:10 a.m. ET. Looking Back:
Here are some of our headlines from Monday, if you wish to see how the Sandy story has developed.
-- "Sandy Wallops Lower Manhattan, Leaving It Dark And Flooded."
-- "Sandy Makes Landfall In New Jersey With Punishing Winds, Driving Rain."
-- "Sandy: The Scene From Kitty Hawk, N.C."
-- "Hurricane Sandy's Economic Impact Likely To Be Immense."
-- "Travel Headaches: Sandy Shuts Down Subways, Cancels Flights."
-- "Tracking Hurricane Sandy: Handy Maps And Apps."
-- "The Science Of Why Sandy Is Such A Dangerous Storm."
-- Monday's Sandy-Related News.
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