Obama to resume US election campaign after storm Sandy

1 November 2012 Last updated at 00:25 ET

Obama to resume US election campaign after storm Sandy

Ruined homes in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, 31 October 2012

New Jersey bore the brunt of the storm, which hit the US coast on Monday night

Storm Sandy

President Barack Obama is to resume an election campaign suspended in the aftermath storm Sandy, which wreaked havoc in the north-eastern US.

Mr Obama visited areas of New Jersey struck by the storm on Wednesday.

His Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, has been holding rallies after halting his campaign earlier in the week.

Storm Sandy left at least 64 people dead, cut power from millions of homes and paralysed transport on much of the eastern US seaboard.

It made landfall on Monday night in New Jersey, where some 20,00 people remain trapped in their homes by sewage-contaminated floodwater.

In New York City, the storm brought a record tidal surge that swamped the subway and caused widespread blackouts.

Earlier, it killed nearly 70 people in the Caribbean and caused extensive crop destruction in impoverished Haiti.

'Long haul'

Mr Obama has planned campaign stops on Thursday in Nevada, Colorado and Wisconsin.

On Wednesday, he toured parts of New Jersey struck by the storm with Republican Governor Chris Christie.

"You guys are in my thoughts and prayers," the president said during a visit to an emergency shelter in Atlantic City. "We are going to be here for the long haul."

Of more than six million homes and businesses across the north-east that still have no electricity, a third of them are in New Jersey.

In the New Jersey city of Hoboken, across the Hudson river from New York City, the National Guard has arrived to evacuate about 20,000 people and distribute meals.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, usually one of Mr Obama's fiercest critics, spoke of his "great working relationship" with the Democratic president.

"I cannot thank the president enough for his personal concern and compassion for the people of our state," said Mr Christie.

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President Obama pledged help for those affected by Sandy as he visited Brigantine, New Jersey

Mr Romney held two rallies in Florida on Wednesday, where his campaign said he tried to strike a "positive tone".

Election day is on 6 November, and polls suggest the candidates are running neck and neck.

Eight out of ten voters in a Washington Post/ABC poll gave Mr Obama an "excellent" or "good" rating for his handling of the emergency.

New York began a slow recovery from the storm on Wednesday.

The New York Stock Exchange reopened on generator power after two days of closure, along with the Nasdaq.

But New York City's Bellevue Hospital had to order the evacuation of some 500 patients after back-up electricity failed.

A partial subway service is due to begin on Thursday. Many bus services are already back on the roads, and most of the city's bridges have reopened.

The Holland Tunnel, connecting New Jersey and New York City, remains flooded.

Flights have now resumed at JFK and Newark Liberty airports, though the city's LaGuardia airport remains closed. Nearly 20,000 flights were grounded by Sandy.

Have you been affected by storm Sandy? What are your experiences of the clean-up operation? Send us your stories by getting in touch using the form below.

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Hurricane Sandy: Thousands hit by flight cancellations

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29 October 2012 Last updated at 17:57 ET

Hurricane Sandy: Thousands hit by flight cancellations

Waves hitting the pier at Ocean City, Maryland

Powerful waves are buffeting the US east coast as Hurricane Sandy approaches

Thousands of transatlantic passengers are facing disruption with the cancellation of flights between Britain and the US as Hurricane Sandy hits the US east coast.

BA and Virgin Atlantic have cancelled all flights to and from New York, Washington and Boston, with Baltimore and Philadelphia flights also cut.

Passengers are being offered the opportunity to re-book or get a refund.

Thirty-eight flights due to leave the UK on Tuesday have been cancelled.

With winds now reported to be more than 90mph, the hurricane - dubbed "Frankenstorm" - is gaining strength, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has said.

About 50 million people in a 800-mile (1,300-km) swathe of the US are threatened by heavy rain, wind and snow.

At 14:00 EDT (18:00 GMT), Sandy was churning about 170 miles south-east of New York City, the NHC said.

Nine states of emergency have been called in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and District of Columbia.

President Barack Obama warned Americans during a White House speech to follow emergency instructions if they are in the storm's path.

In total, 54 flights from UK airports to the US were cancelled on Monday and 38 departures have so far been halted for Tuesday.

Heathrow Airport said those due to fly to the US eastern seaboard on any airline should check their flight status before travelling.

The airport said on Monday that a total of 12 flights arriving from the US and 47 departures had been cancelled.

The bulk of the cancellations were by Heathrow's largest operator, British Airways.

BA has also cancelled 11 eleven return flights from Heathrow to the US east coast on Tuesday: departures to New York JFK, Newark, Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia are affected.

Flights to and from Boston are expected to operate as normal, BA said.

The airline has advised customers to check the status of their flights on its website before going to Heathrow.

'Minimise the disruption'

Virgin Atlantic has cancelled a total of 14 flight, saying passenger and crew safety was the "number one priority".

Virgin Atlantic have also cancelled early flights on Tuesday to JFK and Newark Airport in New York. Passengers have been advised to check the Virgin website for latest updates.

United Airlines cancelled 14 departures from UK airports on Monday to New York and Washington DC.

The airline has cancelled all 13 transatlantic flights scheduled for Tuesday: five services from Heathrow to New York, three flights from Heathrow to Washington and services to New York from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.

A United flight from Manchester to Washington has also been cancelled.

American Airlines has cancelled all seven flights which were due to depart from the UK on Tuesday: five return flights from Heathrow to New York, one from Heathrow to Boston and one from Manchester to New York.

Delta has cancelled three flights from Heathrow to JFK planned for Tuesday.

New York authorities have warned that the storm could cause sea levels to rise, swamping parts of Lower Manhattan, flooding the underground transport system and cutting off electricity supplies and communications.

The Foreign Office said the British consulates in Boston and New York would be closed on Monday, and the British Embassy in Washington would operate a reduced service.

'It's eerily quiet'

UK passengers and those living in the US have described the atmosphere ahead of the storm.

In New York, James Pitkin, who is originally from London, told the BBC: "Everywhere is deserted. The transport system is shut so there's no-one at work."

Others expressed frustration at travel "chaos".

Jan Lundy from Northumberland said she was concerned her daughter - who is currently "stuck" in Virginia - might not be able to get back to the UK in time for her wedding next week.

"She can't leave because of the cancelled flights, so the week before her wedding is becoming very chaotic...

"We think she may just have got a flight for herself, but so far there's no flight for her husband-to-be."

Justin Holder from Andover - who flew into New York last night for business - said he was "now stuck till at least Wednesday" in the city.

"We're a small business, so while I'd rather not be here, I had to come."

Meanwhile, the parents of 65 pupils from Shropshire who are on a school trip to New York are being kept informed of developments by the schools.

The groups of 47 pupils and eight staff from Lakelands School, Ellesmere, and 18 pupils and six staff from Idsall School, Shifnal, were due to fly home this week but it is likely their flights will be delayed in the aftermath of Sandy.

Shropshire Council reassured parents that teachers were "taking all appropriate precautions".

Are you affected by the cancellation of flights between Britain and the US? Send us your experiences using the form below.

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Hurricane Sandy closes in on US East Coast

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29 October 2012 Last updated at 06:46 ET

Hurricane Sandy closes in on US East Coast

Caution tape covers the entrance to the Times Square Subway Station in New York

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US implements hurricane shutdown

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US Presidential Election 2012

Hurricane Sandy is closing in on highly populated areas of the US east coast threatening storm surges and devastating flooding.

In New York City, thousands of people have been ordered to leave their homes and evacuation shelters have been set up in 76 schools.

Public transport has been halted and the New York Stock Exchange closed.

Forecasters fear Sandy will become a super-storm when it collides with cold weather fronts from the west and north.

Sandy has already killed 60 people after sweeping through the Caribbean in the past week.

Campaigning for the US presidential election has also been disrupted, eight days ahead of election day.

At 05:00 EDT (09:00 GMT), Sandy was churning about 385 miles (615km) south-east of New York City, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

Worryingly, forecasters said its maximum sustained winds had increased to 85mph (140km/h) from 75mph recorded hours earlier.

The vast hurricane, about 520 miles (835km) across, is moving slowly north and could linger over as many as 12 states for 24-36 hours, bringing up to 25cm of rain, 60cm of snow, extreme storm surges and power cuts.

The eye of the storm is expected to barrel across the coast of mid-Atlantic states by Monday night, the NHC said.

As it will hit the US East Coast just before Halloween, it is being dubbed a "Frankenstorm".

With emergencies declared in several east-coast states, many workers were staying at home on Monday.

New York City's subway, bus and train services were suspended from Sunday evening, and schools are shut.

Taxi driver Peter Franklin told the BBC that the city was "shut down".

"I feel like I am living in a science fiction movie," he said.

Hundreds of thousands of people from Maryland to Connecticut were ordered to leave low-lying coastal areas.

They included about 375,000 in lower Manhattan and other areas of New York City and another 30,000 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

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BBC Weather: Hurricane Sandy forecast

President Barack Obama declared emergencies in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) in Washington on Sunday, he vowed the government would "respond big and respond fast" after Sandy had passed.

"My message to the governors as well as to the mayors is anything they need, we will be there, and we will cut through red tape," he said.

Authorities warned that high tides triggered by a full moon could create storm surges of up 11ft (3m), sending seawater surging through parts of lower Manhattan.

The United Nations headquarters in New York also shut down.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg described it as "a serious and dangerous storm."

Addressing those who had been advised to leave, he said: "If you don't evacuate, you are not only endangering your life, you are also endangering the lives of the first responders who are going in to rescue you."

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie echoed his words, saying: "Don't be stupid. Get out."

Amtrak has suspended passenger train services across the north-east and air travel has been badly hit, with some 6,800 flights cancelled.

The Statue of Liberty was reopened on Sunday after a year of renovation, but only a group of army cadets got a tour before it was shut again until at least Wednesday.

Some 200 National Guardsmen will patrol Manhattan and 300 more will be deployed in Long Island.

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US East Coast braced for downgraded storm Sandy

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27 October 2012 Last updated at 07:26 ET

US East Coast braced for downgraded storm Sandy

Palm trees in the wind at Cocoa Beach, Florida (26 Oct 2012)

Low-lying coastal along Florida have already been hit by strong winds

People along the East Coast of the US are preparing for the arrival of Sandy, a tropical storm which left more than 40 people dead across the Caribbean.

States of emergency have been declared in Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and a coastal county in North Carolina.

Sandy is no longer classified as a hurricane, but still carries maximum sustained winds of 70mph (110km/h).

The storm could strengthen before hitting the US late on Monday.

The US Navy base in Norfolk, Virginia, was reportedly sending a whole fleet of ships out to sea to avoid possible damage caused as the storm hits land.

At 05:00 EDT (09:00 GMT), Sandy was about about 350 miles (565km) south-east of Charleston in South Carolina, and moving north away from the Bahamas at about 10mph (17km/h), according to the National Hurricane Center.

It is expected to move along the eastern coast of the US over the weekend, bringing a rise of coastal flooding.

The NHC said further strengthening was possible over Sunday, before Sandy touches down anywhere between Virginia and southern New England late on Monday or early Tuesday.

Polls threat

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Michael Bloomberg: ''Get ready, just in case''

"We're expecting a large, large storm," said Louis Uccellini, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Center for Environmental Prediction.

"The circulation of this storm as it approaches the coast could cover about the eastern third of the United States."

The mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, has urged the city's residents to be prepared.

"If we have to make a mistake we would rather make a mistake on being cautious," he said.

But he said people should remain calm and that it was not yet necessary to make a decision about evacuations.

Officials are already considering closing down public transport before the storm hits.

There is concern that bad weather could affect next week's presidential elections, by causing power cuts, occupying media coverage or preventing people from getting to the polls.

Republican candidate Mitt Romney cancelled an event scheduled for Sunday in Virginia, a key election state, because of the weather, said one of his aides.

On Friday, the White House declined to speculate on whether President Barack Obama's campaign plans would be affected, saying the storm's path was still uncertain.

A man collect supplies of water in New York (26 Oct 2012)

New Yorkers were urged to be ready for a possible large storm

Meteorologists have warned Sandy could merge with a winter storm over the sea, creating what they have dubbed "Frankenstorm".

Up to 10in (25cm) of rain, 2ft of snow and extreme storm surges are forecast.

Forecasters say it is similar to another late October storm in 1991, when several weather systems, including a hurricane, combined along the US Atlantic coast, leading to what was dubbed the "Perfect Storm".

Earlier in the week, Sandy caused havoc as it ploughed across the Caribbean, killing 11 people in Cuba and at least 26 in Haiti. Four fatalities were reported across the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Are you in the path of Hurricane Sandy or have you already been affected by it? You can send us your experiences using the form below.

Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.

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'Frankenstorm' bears down on US east coast

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26 October 2012 Last updated at 23:54 ET

'Frankenstorm' bears down on US east coast

Damaged boats floating in waters in Nassau

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People in the Bahamas are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy could merge with a winter storm to create what they have dubbed "Frankenstorm" as it churns towards the US, forecasters warn.

Sandy has weakened to a category one hurricane, but is still packing maximum sustained winds of 75mph (120km/h).

Sandy reportedly caused up to 40 deaths as it tore through the Caribbean on Thursday and Friday.

The storm is projected to hit the US late on Monday, a week before the presidential election.

States of emergency have been declared in Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington and a coastal county in North Carolina.

The US Navy base in Norfolk, Virginia was reportedly sending a whole fleet of ships out to sea to avoid the storm.

At 23:00 EDT (03:00 GMT), the hurricane was moving north over the Bahamas at about 7mph, some 400 miles (630 km) south-east of Charleston in South Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane-strength winds were being experienced 70 miles from the centre of the storm, which was expected to slowly weaken during the weekend, reported the NHC.

Billion-dollar storm?

American meteorologists expect a combination of high winds, heavy rain and extreme tides, as well as snow in some areas.

Up to 10in (25cm) of rain, 2ft of snow and extreme storm surges are forecast.

"It's going to be a long-lasting event, two to three days of impact for a lot of people," said James Franklin, head forecaster at the National Hurricane Center.

Sandy is expected to strike the US late on Monday or early Tuesday somewhere along the US east coast, a day before Halloween and a week before millions of Americans go to the polls to choose a next president.

It could make landfall anywhere between Virginia, Maryland or Delaware up through New York or southern New England.

In New York City, officials are already considering closing down mass transit before the storm hits.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney cancelled an event scheduled for Sunday in Virginia, a key election state, because of the weather, said an aide.

Caribbean carnage

Earlier on Friday, the White House declined to speculate on whether Sandy would affect President Barack Obama's campaign plans, saying the storm's path was still uncertain.

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The BBC's James Kelly: Haiti homes were flooded and possessions were destroyed

Forecasters say Sandy is similar to another late October storm - when several weather systems, including a hurricane, combined along the US Atlantic coast in 1991, leading to what was dubbed "the Perfect Storm".

Jeff Masters, meteorology director at Weather Underground, estimated there could be more than $1bn (£621m) in damages from Hurricane Sandy.

On Thursday, Sandy caused a storm surge leading to severe flooding along Cuba's south-eastern coastline.

Civil emergency authorities said 11 people had died as the storm lashed the island - nine of those in Santiago province and two in Guantanamo province, despite Cuba's well-rehearsed hurricane preparations. Most victims were killed by falling trees or collapsing buildings.

"The hurricane was very big. I have never seen anything like it in my 54 years," said Santiago resident Reinaldo Rivas.

Elsewhere, 20 deaths were reported in Haiti - where much of the infrastructure remains in a poor condition following a massive earthquake in 2010.

More than 1,000 people sought refuge in shelters there, as Sandy caused widespread power outages, flooded streets and damaged buildings.

Four fatalities were reported across the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Are you in the path of Hurricane Sandy or have you already been affected by it? You can send us your experiences using the form below.

Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.

Read the terms and conditions

Source : bbc[dot]co[dot]uk Read More

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