November 5, 2012

The death toll from the massive storm that started out as Hurricane Sandy stands at 71 people in the Caribbean, 110 in the United States, and 2 people in Canada. The storm left at least 40 people dead in New York City. More than 1.8 million homes and businesses remain without electric power in the states of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, down from a peak of 8.5 million on October 30.

New York City’s 1.1 million public school students returned to class today. However, 57 school buildings are too damaged to be reopened, forcing some 34,000 students to be reassigned to other schools. At least 29 schools remain without electric power, and 8 buildings that normally house 24,000 students are currently being used as shelters for people left homeless by the storm.

The strong winds in hurricanes can push huge amounts of water onto land in a storm surge. Sandy's massive storm surges caused widespread devastation in parts of New York and New Jersey. (AP/Wide World)

An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 New Yorkers remain homeless, according to the office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg. At least 20,000 of the total were residents of public housing. In New Jersey, more than 5,000 people remain in shelters, and tens of thousands of people who evacuated are known to be living with friends or relatives.

Hurricane Sandy made landfall in the United States near Atlantic City, New Jersey, in the early evening of October 29. A record storm surge caused enormous damage along the Jersey Shore and in New York City, particularly in Queens and on Staten Island. As the storm moved inland, it collided with two other weather systems, including a burst of cold air sweeping down through the Canadian Plains. The combined storm brought high winds, freezing rains, and heavy snows to parts of West Virginia. In Pennsylvania, it caused power outages and flooding and forced numerous closures of roads, schools, and businesses. The storm left at least seven people dead in Pennsylvania and five dead in West Virginia.

Additional World Book articles:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• The Forecast: Better Weather Prediction Ahead (a special report)
• How the Ocean Affects Climate (a special report)