Obama Declares 'Major Disaster' in NY
U.S. President Barack Obama has declared a "major disaster" in the state of New York, just hours after the massive storm named Sandy raked over Manhattan, flooding low-lying streets and wiping out power across much of New York City.
Tuesday's declaration frees up federal disaster funds to help with disaster relief efforts.
The storm, which hit late Monday south of New York with hurricane-strength winds, has now weakened and moved inland. Sandy still has winds of about 100 kilometers per hour. The National Weather Service says the storm is expected to move into Canada by Wednesday.
The storm brought torrential rain, high winds and dangerous tidal surges from the Atlantic to one of the nation's most densely populated regions. At least 14 people in east coast states died in the storm, mostly from traffic accidents and downed trees.
Manhattan was hit was hit by a storm surge of four meters, bringing the usually bustling section of New York to a halt. More than 1 million people in the area of the nation's most populous city lost power. More than 6 million homes and businesses along the U.S. east coast and farther inland lost power.
VOA's Daniela Schrier took her camera to the East Village district in Lower Manhattan Monday night to document the damage from flood waters rushing city streets.
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A New Jersey nuclear power plant declared an alert after waters rose to a designated high-level mark. Officials said there were no safety concerns at the plant, which was shut off for maintenance.
Deaths
The deaths were reported across the affected region, from the U.S. state of Maryland to the Canadian city of Toronto. Most of the fatalities resulted from falling trees or traffic accidents.
Tunnels and streets in low-lying areas of New York City were flooded, including the construction site where the World Trade Center once stood. Some residents were ordered to evacuate. The facade of an apartment building in the Chelsea neighborhood crumbled and fell, leaving entire apartments and their furnishings exposed to the elements. Cars in low-lying areas have been seen floating down the streets.
fuente: La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/content/superstorm-sandy-floods-new-york/1535799.html
Tuesday's declaration frees up federal disaster funds to help with disaster relief efforts.
The storm, which hit late Monday south of New York with hurricane-strength winds, has now weakened and moved inland. Sandy still has winds of about 100 kilometers per hour. The National Weather Service says the storm is expected to move into Canada by Wednesday.
The storm brought torrential rain, high winds and dangerous tidal surges from the Atlantic to one of the nation's most densely populated regions. At least 14 people in east coast states died in the storm, mostly from traffic accidents and downed trees.
Manhattan was hit was hit by a storm surge of four meters, bringing the usually bustling section of New York to a halt. More than 1 million people in the area of the nation's most populous city lost power. More than 6 million homes and businesses along the U.S. east coast and farther inland lost power.
VOA's Daniela Schrier took her camera to the East Village district in Lower Manhattan Monday night to document the damage from flood waters rushing city streets.
Download
A New Jersey nuclear power plant declared an alert after waters rose to a designated high-level mark. Officials said there were no safety concerns at the plant, which was shut off for maintenance.
Deaths
The deaths were reported across the affected region, from the U.S. state of Maryland to the Canadian city of Toronto. Most of the fatalities resulted from falling trees or traffic accidents.
Tunnels and streets in low-lying areas of New York City were flooded, including the construction site where the World Trade Center once stood. Some residents were ordered to evacuate. The facade of an apartment building in the Chelsea neighborhood crumbled and fell, leaving entire apartments and their furnishings exposed to the elements. Cars in low-lying areas have been seen floating down the streets.
fuente: La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/content/superstorm-sandy-floods-new-york/1535799.html
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