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New York recovers as Irene passes | New York recovers as Irene passes |
(40 minutes later) | |
Life in New York is returning to normal as flood waters brought by Tropical Storm Irene recede. The feared devastation failed to materialise. | Life in New York is returning to normal as flood waters brought by Tropical Storm Irene recede. The feared devastation failed to materialise. |
Despite being downgraded from a hurricane, the storm still battered the city with fierce winds and rain. | Despite being downgraded from a hurricane, the storm still battered the city with fierce winds and rain. |
But the city's mayor said evacuation orders affecting 370,000 people would end at 15:00 local time (19:00 GMT) and stock exchanges would open on Monday. | But the city's mayor said evacuation orders affecting 370,000 people would end at 15:00 local time (19:00 GMT) and stock exchanges would open on Monday. |
However, air travel and the city's subway system remain suspended. | |
Power cuts | Power cuts |
At least 11 deaths have been linked to the powerful storm, which destroyed buildings in North Carolina and Virginia, and left millions without power. | |
The storm was classified as a category three hurricane, carrying winds of more than 120mph (192km/h), when it swept through the Caribbean last week but later weakened. | |
Despite the downgrade, the US Hurricane Center said maximum wind speeds were still registering 60mph (105km/h) as it reached New York. Irene is expected to weaken further before hitting Canada on Sunday night. | |
US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that while there was still a way to go with Irene, the "worst of the storm has passed", adding that the precautions taken had "dramatically decreased" the threat to lives along the eastern US. | US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that while there was still a way to go with Irene, the "worst of the storm has passed", adding that the precautions taken had "dramatically decreased" the threat to lives along the eastern US. |
'Good shape' | |
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared: "All in all, we are in pretty good shape because of the measures we took." | |
He said the subway system would remain closed until safety inspections were complete and admitted Monday's would be a "tough commute". Officials said air travel would remain suspended until late afternoon on Monday at the earliest. | |
Mr Bloomberg appealed for patience from those desperate to get back to homes and defended the measures taken to protect citizens. | |
"We're just not going to take any risks with people's lives. The best scenario is that you take the precautions and they're not needed." |