Hurricane Sandy Latest; 18 Dead As Superstorm Becomes Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy
The super-storm known as Hurricane Sandy has transformed into a post-tropical cyclone.
According to the National Hurricane Center, on Tuesday at 11 am ET the hurricane transformed into a post-tropical cyclone.
Currently the storm is moving at a westerly path at a speed of 10-mph.
The storm is supposedly weakening as it moves deeper into Pennsylvania.
The hurricane center sent a warning stating: "High wind warnings are in effect along the central to southern Appalachians and across portions of the Great Lakes. Storm Warnings remain in effect along the mid-Atlantic and New England coast...from Virginia to Massachusetts. Flood and coastal flood watches...warnings...and advisories are in effect over portions of the mid-Atlantic and northeast states."
The storm is quickly turning into one of the worst to ever to hit the United States, according to Reuters, but it's also the worst tropical cyclone on record.
President Obama on Tuesday declared a major disaster for New Jersey and New York as the storm's impact was worse than previously thought. The president's declaration gives residents access to federal funds to help rebuild when the storm passes.
Gale force winds have been reported all along the eastern seaboard from the Carolinas up to New England causing massive power outages and property damage worth billions of dollars.
Post-tropical cyclone Sandy is responsible for 18 deaths in the U.S. mostly from falling trees and debris.
So far the death toll from Hurricane Sandy moving through the Caribbean is 69 people dead. Other damage reported has been destroyed homes, power lines, and debris from falling trees.
Louis Uccellini, head of environmental prediction for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, warned, "We're looking at impact of greater than 50 to 60 million people."
Schools, public transit and federal buildings remained closed in major cities such as New York and Washington D.C. along with 12,000 flights canceled due to airport closures.
The National Weather Service is providing updated forecasts and maps regularly on its website.
