Warning as ‘biggest storm ever’ hits U.S.

MAJOR US cities including New York and Washington were braced last night for a superstorm that threatened up to 50million Americans.

Hurricane Sandy was heading north from the Caribbean — where it left nearly five dozen people dead — to meet a winter storm and cold front, plus high tides and a full moon.
Experts predicted the resulting rare hybrid storm could be the “worst ever” to hit the US mainland.

Danger ... the storm seen from space this morning

Hurricane Sandy: Thousands flee before storm

Sky News

NEW York transport system shuts down, with airports closed, as the region prepares for Hurricane Sandy

Yesterday 375,000 residents of low-lying areas of New York were told to evacuate — and Governor Chris Christie urged New Jersey locals: “Don’t be stupid. Get out.”
As rain from the leading edges of the monster hurricane began to fall, the 12 casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, shut down for only the fourth time in the 34-year history of legalised gambling there.
And British holidaymakers will also be affected, as dozens of flights to and from America's east coast are cancelled.

Predicted route ... of Hurricane Sandy

Sandy was expected to hook left towards the mid-Atlantic coast and hit land late Monday or early Tuesday — most likely in New Jersey. Forecasters said giant waves and high tides made worse by the full moon could drive an 11ft wall of water towards New York City, Long Island and northern New Jersey.

From above ... horror clouds

They also warned the superstorm could bring nearly a foot of rain, a potentially lethal storm surge and punishing winds stretching hundreds of miles. It could even dump up to 2ft of SNOW in Kentucky, North Carolina and West Virginia. States of emergency were declared across the threatened area. New York and Philadelphia shut down their subways, buses and commuter trains last night and announced schools would be closed on Monday. Boston, Washington and Baltimore also cancelled school.

Warning ... signs to keep public out of water

Some experts feared flooding could knock out the underground network of power, phone and high-speed internet lines in New York. Wary shopkeepers boarded up their premises in readiness for the arrival of the storm.
Presidential rivals Barack Obama and Mitt Romney could also see their campaign plans disrupted - as many areas they seek to canvass go into shutdown.

British Airways has grounded all flights to and from the US Eastern Seaboard, including New York, Baltimore, Washington, Boston and Philadelphia.
A number of BA flights from the US to London have also been halted.
Virgin Atlantic has cancelled flights to and from New York, Washington and Boston.
A statement on BA’s website said: “We understand that customers may be disappointed, however their safety is our highest priority. We are offering the option to rebook or receive a refund to those customers whose flights are cancelled."

Ready ... boarded-up shop in Delaware

More than 3,000 international flights to cities including New York, Washington, and Boston were axed due to the weather. Despite the dire warnings, some locals were still refusing to leave.
Jonas Clark, of Manchester Township, New Jersey — right in the area where Sandy was projected to come ashore — stood outside a shop, calmly sipping a coffee. ....Hahaha