National News

Sandy's trail of devastation: 26 dead, millions without power -- and it's not over

Posted: Oct 30, 2012 11:01 AM by CNN

CNN - The destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy mounted Tuesday morning as electrical fires and record power outages added to the misery of devastating flooding in the Northeast.

More than 7.5 million customers shivered without electricity in 15 states and the District of Columbia in Sandy's chilly wake.

Sandy also claimed at least 26 lives across the United States, bringing the total number of deaths to at least 94 after the storm wreaked havoc in the Caribbean.

The storm sent trees crashing down and left neighborhood streets looking like rivers. Homes washed off their foundations and onto a New Jersey state highway. Floodwaters rushed into New York's subway tunnels.

Hundreds of people were stranded in one New Jersey town alone Tuesday morning. And Connecticut's governor offered ominous advice in a Twitter post: "If u find urself surrounded by water, call 4 help if u can, then get 2 highest level of home. Hang a white sheet out a street-side window."
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Authorities scrambled in boats to rescue trapped residents in several towns after a berm broke in Moonachie, New Jersey.

"Within 30 minutes, those towns were under 4 or 5 feet of water," said Jeanne Baratta, chief of staff for the Bergen County executive.

Hundreds of people had been rescued Tuesday morning, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said.

"We'll have to rescue hundreds more," he said.