LIVE UPDATES: Tracking Hurricane Sandy
The East Coast of the U.S. is virtually shut down as millions brace for Hurricane Sandy. We'll be posting details on the monster storm's path and impact -- keep checking back for up-to-the-minute updates.
8:11p ET: The National Hurricane Center confirms that post-tropical cyclone Sandy makes landfall along the coast of southern New Jersey.
7:55p ET: Consolidated Edison utility cuts power to part of lower Manhattan to avoid storm damage.
7:50p ET: Water level in downtown Manhattan reaches 11.25 feet -- breaking the record set in 1821. 90 mph winds recorded at the World Trade Center.
7:05p ET: The National Hurricane Center says that Sandy is now a post-tropical storm and will make landfall at 8:15p ET during high tide. Read the latest from the NHC here.
7:04p ET: Shepard Smith just reported that officials in Maryland have confirmed the first death from Hurricane Sandy. Officials say the death is the result of a storm-related crash.
6:40p ET: Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean reports that the center appears to be over Atlantic City, NJ. The center will continue to move across the Great Lakes. Wind gusts will be in excess of 90 miles per hour and 50 miles per hour south of the center of the storm.
6:13p ET: Hurricane Sandy has made landfall with the eye of the 900-mile wide monster storm striking southern New Jersey at 6:03 p.m. ET.
4:03p ET: Hurricane Sandy approaches the New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland coastline.
(Photo: myfoxhurricane.com)
3:00p ET: Here is the latest statement from the National Hurricane Center.
2:15p ET: Take a look at some of the photos we're getting in of Hurricane Sandy's path of destruction. CLICK HERE.
1:00p ET: President Obama just made remarks on the potential impact of Hurricane Sandy, telling the public to follow the instruction of local leaders and saying that cleanup efforts will take "a long time." Read more highlights HERE.
11:55a ET: President Obama is expected to make a statement on Hurricane Sandy at 12:45p ET.
11:15a ET: The National Hurricane Center has released its 11a ET update. Read it here.
10:50a ET: New York Gov. Cuomo announces Holland Tunnel and Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel will both be closed, and bridges may also close as winds brought by Hurricane Sandy increase. New York is calling 1,000 additional National Guard to respond to expected 11-foot storm surge.
9:34a ET: Trying to fly today? See if your flight will be taking off with this flight tracker from Fox Business.
9:15a ET UPDATE: Tonight, Fox News Channel will have up-to-the-minute coverage of this monster storm -- starting at 7p ET, watch a two-hour Fox Report, followed by Hannity at 9p ET and a two-hour On the Record at 10p ET. Plus, Gregg Jarrett and Heather Childers will be live through the night with the very latest.
9:02a ET UPDATE: Fox News Channel's Maria Molina just provided us with an update on the storm, saying that a storm surge of up to 11-feet could hit the Long Island Sound and New York Harbor. Read more from Molina.
8:46a ET UPDATE: The president has signed disaster declarations for Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
8:35a ET UPDATE: President Obama has canceled an appearance at a campaign rally in Florida in order to monitor the response to Hurricane Sandy. Read Press Secretary Jay Carney's statement here.
8:12a ET UPDATE: As reported on Fox Business Network, the U.S. stock markets will be closed today. The move comes after a revolt against an initial NYSE Euronext (NYX) contingency plan that would have moved all of the exchange operator's trading to an electronic platform. "The decision (to close markets) was made by the markets and market participants after careful consideration in consultation" with the Securities and Exchange Commission, an SEC spokesperson told FOX Business. "The SEC will continue to be in communication with the markets as the situation warrants." Get more details.
8:05a ET UPDATE: The National Hurricane Center has released its 8a update. Get the latest here.
8a ET UPDATE from FoxNews.com: As of 5 a.m. Monday, the storm was centered about 385 miles southeast of New York City, moving to the north at 14 mph, with hurricane-force winds extending an incredible 175 miles from its center. The National Hurricane Center said early Monday the storm has intensified, with top sustained winds of 85 mph and higher gusts.
Authorities warned that New York City could be hit with an 11-foot wall of water that has the potential to swamp parts of lower Manhattan, flood subway tunnels and cripple the network of electrical and communications lines that are vital to the nation's financial center.
Tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate as forecasters warned the megastorm could wreak havoc over 800 miles, including 375,000 in lower Manhattan and other parts of New York City. At least 50,000 were ordered to evacuate in Delaware alone and 30,000 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where the city's 12 casinos were forced to shut down for only the fourth time in the 34-year history of legalized gambling there.
Airlines canceled more than 7,200 flights and Amtrak began suspending passenger train service across the Northeast. New York and Philadelphia moved to shut down their subways, buses and commuter trains Sunday night and announced that schools would be closed on Monday. Boston, Washington and Baltimore also called off school.
Read more.
