The massive storm that started out as Hurricane Sandy slammed into the East Coast and morphed into a huge and problematic system affecting millions of people. Here’s a snapshot of what is happening or expected, state by state.
CAROLINAS
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 14 members of a crew forced to abandon a tall ship off the North Carolina coast. One of the crew members was found hours later and was in critical condition at a hospital Monday night, but the ship’s captain was still missing. The HMS Bounty was originally built for the 1962 film “Mutiny on the Bounty” starring Marlon Brando and has been featured in other films, including one of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies. Power outages: 5,639.
CONNECTICUT
The University of Connecticut is closing Tuesday, joining a hundreds of other schools and school systems across the state. The closure includes UConn’s law school and the UConn Health Center, though the John Dempsey Hospital will remain open during the storm. Two people have died in storm related accidents. State police said a person died after being hit by a falling tree and the Easton Fire Department said a firefighter was fatally injured when a tree fell on his truck. Power outages: 615,000.
DELAWARE
Dover Air Force Base has relocated some aircraft in anticipation of the storm, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has requested that the base be used as a staging area for support and supplies. Some residents of low-lying areas of the base have been ordered to evacuate. Power outages: 32,000.
ILLINOIS
The powerful storm is expected to extend as far as Chicago, where the National Weather Service already has issued high wind warnings and a lakeshore flood warning for Tuesday and Wednesday. City officials said Lake Shore Drive, along Lake Michigan, is expected to remain open. But they urged motorists to proceed carefully. The Chicago Transit Authority said it will reroute buses if necessary.
KENTUCKY
Sandy is expected to bring snow to far southeastern Kentucky. A winter storm warning is in effect in Harlan, Letcher and Pike counties through Wednesday morning. Forecasters say snow could accumulate from 4 to 10 inches in high elevations and 1 to 3 inches in lower elevations.
MAINE
Virtually all Maine public schools opened Monday but some were closing early before the heaviest rain and wind from Hurricane Sandy. State officials say the biggest concern is wind, which is expected to cause widespread power outages. The state’s utilities say they have crews poised to deal with expected power outages, including some from Canada. Power outages: 80,000.
MARYLAND
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says vehicular travel is banned on city roads beginning at 6 p.m. Monday. The restrictions to do not apply to uniformed personnel, hospital employees or other medical providers. Gov. Martin O’Malley earlier Monday closed the Bay Bridge.
MASSACHUSETTS
Voluntary evacuation recommendations have been issued in Scituate, Lynn, New Bedford and Plum Island. The recommendations are for just certain sections of the communities that could be affected by flooding as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Mandatory evacuations were ordered in sections of Dartmouth and Fall River. Power outages: 400,000.
MICHIGAN
Michigan utilities say high winds could cause power outages in the state and they’re keeping an eye on the weather to respond to power problems. DTE Energy Co. said gusts of 50 mph Monday evening and Tuesday could affect some it its 2.1 million customers. Power outages: 23,000.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Gov. John Lynch has urged all drivers to be off the roads by 3 p.m. as Hurricane Sandy approaches. Lynch declared a state of emergency and directed that non-essential state workers be released from work Monday afternoon. He urged employers to consider releasing workers early. The governor has put 100 New Hampshire Guard soldiers on active duty. At least 13 shelters have been opened. Power outages: 120,000.
NEW JERSEY
All roads into and out of Ocean City are closed due to flooding that has cut off the popular Jersey shore resort community. Former Hurricane Sandy already had flooded most of Atlantic City, sweeping away an old section of the city’s famed boardwalk. Officials said two people were killed when a tree landed on their vehicle. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said Newark Liberty airport had been shut down until further notice. The airport had technically been open throughout the day although flights were not coming or going. Power outages: 1.7 million.
NEW YORK
Much of New York was plunged into darkness Monday from the superstorm and utilities that deliberately darkened downtown Manhattan to prevent storm damage. Water flooded into two major commuter tunnels and onto some subway tracks at stations in the city. Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office said at least five people have died in New York state because of the storm. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Power said airports in metropolitan New York City have been closed until further notice due to flooding. Power outages: 1,130,000.
OHIO
Residents of low-lying areas and along Lake Erie were told to watch for flooding; utilities are anticipating high winds that could blow down trees and poles. Snow is forecast in some areas. Power outages: 22,000.
PENNSYLVANIA
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said Monday that more than 200 bridges and roads were closed because of downed trees, power lines and flooding, most of it in southeastern Pennsylvania. Officials from the state transit agency and the Pennsylvania Turnpike instituted speed restrictions over concerns about high winds and ordered certain vehicles, including empty trucks and motorcycles, off some highways. Three people have died in storm-related incidents, including an 8-year-old boy who was killed when a tree limb fell on him. Power outages: more than 1 million.
RHODE ISLAND
Officials are concerned about wind driving water north up Narragansett Bay, which could create flooding in low-lying areas of the upper bay, including Providence, Warwick and Cranston. Power outages: 110,000.
TENNESSEE
Snow is expected in higher elevations, where a freeze warning has been issued. High winds are expected in many areas.
VERMONT
Gov. Peter Shumlin declared a state of emergency to provide access to National Guard troops in a state still recovering from the devastating effects of the remnants of Hurricane Irene. Culverts and storm drainage basins in some spots have been cleared of debris. Power outages: 14,470.
VIRGINIA
Thousands in Virginia are without power as former Hurricane Sandy began moving away from the state. There are about 100,000 people without electricity in northern Virginia. Utilities have brought in additional crews to assist with restoration efforts. Power outages: 123,460.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Taxis that originate in Washington are authorized to add an emergency flat rate of $15 per trip because of Hurricane Sandy, starting Monday. The price is supposed to expire at noon Tuesday, but can be extended if considered necessary. The capital area’s transit system shut down rail service for the first time since 2003. Power outages: 5,500.
WEST VIRGINIA
Officials said a woman was killed in a storm-related traffic accident. A spokeswoman for Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said about 5 inches of snow had fallen in the area of Tucker County where the crash occurred, making road conditions treacherous. Tomblin declared a state of emergency for the state on Monday. West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Jimmy Gianato said conditions are expected to be at their worst overnight and early Tuesday before the storm moves on. Power outages: 49,000.
WISCONSIN
The Village of Pleasant Prairie along Lake Michigan near the Illinois border has advised residents in about 265 homes to voluntarily evacuate Tuesday morning because of the possibility of dangerously high waves and flooding. Lori Getter of the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management said waves of 14-18 feet are forecast for Lake Michigan.
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