US Storm Sandy: death toll rises over 48 and millions are without power

Following Monday night’s storm, reportedly at least 7million Americans still have no power

13:53 30 October 2012

The impact that Storm Sandy has had on the US had led to many people seeing it as the worst to affect the country in its history. At least 48 people have reportedly been killed this week, and this death toll comes after a reported 69 people previously lost their lives in the Caribbean due to Sandy.

 

Since its landfall in the New York City area on Monday evening, Sandy has led to over 15 states being left without power, which means there are still an estimated 7 to 8million Americans in darkness in the wake of the storm.

 

According to reports, the cost of damage that the natural disaster has brought is in the region of $10 to $20billion.

 

It is thought that many subway tunnels that run from Manhattan to Queens were flooded, meaning that the materials would need to be cleaned before they can be re-used, according to an MTA spokesperson.

 

The East Coast was hit hard by Sandy, as a surge of sea water that hit NYC was believed to be almost 14ft high. And even West Virginia felt the thrash of the storm, as it met a cold front, and experienced heavy snowfall.

 

It is being seen by some as a ‘superstorm’ having previously been dubbed “Frankenstorm”, given that it befell the US at the start of the Halloween week which is highly celebrated in America compared to the UK.

 

It is thought that the clean-up will now begin and there will be huge efforts to fix the damage caused by the fires and floods.