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US East Coast braced for Hurricane Sandy US East Coast braced for Hurricane Sandy
(about 4 hours later)
People along the East Coast of the US are preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy which has left more than 40 people dead across the Caribbean. People along the East Coast of the US are preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy which has left over 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.States of emergency have been declared in Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and a coastal county in North Carolina.
Sandy briefly weakened as a tropical storm before gathering strength again with maximum sustained winds of 75mph (120km/h). Sandy weakened as a tropical storm but quickly regained strength with maximum sustained winds of 75mph (120km/h).
The storm - now a category-one hurricane - is expected to hit the US late on Monday. It is now a category-one hurricane and expected to hit 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.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 08:00 EDT (12:00 GMT), Sandy was about 335 miles (539km) south-east of Charleston in South Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center.At 08:00 EDT (12:00 GMT), Sandy was about 335 miles (539km) south-east of Charleston in South Carolina, 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.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.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.
"We're expecting a large, large storm," said Louis Uccellini, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Center for Environmental Prediction."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 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.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."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.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.Officials are already considering closing down public transport before the storm hits.
There is concern that the bad weather could affect the presidential elections on 6 November by causing power cuts or preventing people from getting to the polls.There is concern that the bad weather could affect the presidential elections on 6 November by causing power cuts 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.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.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.
Meteorologists have warned Sandy could merge with a winter storm over the sea, creating what they have dubbed "Frankenstorm".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.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".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.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.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.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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