7:00AM EDT/NYC - UPDATE: It is estimated that at least SIX MILLION Americans are now without power as a result of Sandy - a storm system that, to give context on its size, would have covered most of Europe. The death-toll is beleived to be sixteen. Though the waters has fallen again, they will likely rise again with the next sequence of tides. Several subway lines are flooded with salt water, buildings are on fire, the stock exchange remains closed for a second day (almost unprecedented), all filming in the city has been cancelled, schools remain closed and a crane is hanging precariously above the streets of Manhattan. It is likely the clean-up operation, whenever it can be started, may take many days to get the city back to a relevant normal - with more pressure because of the US 2012 Presidential Elections taking place in a week's time.
Further news: http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/hurricane-sandy-threat-delays-winters-tale-start/
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As warned in the last few days, New York and much of America's Eastern/North-Eastern Seaboard is currently being hit by one of the strongest storms the country has seen in years, causing over 375,000 people to be evacuated from parts of New York and millions expected to be hit by black-outs, consistent 80mph+ winds, areas of flooding and tide surges and possibly blizzards when the hot and cold fronts meet.
Fictional entertainment probably doesn't mean a thing to people facing the real practical hazards going on at present, but at last one US TV network, aware that people will be glued to news channels (and many suffering some power outages) has decided to pull the new episodes of dramas due to air tonight. CBS has pulled Hawaii 5-0 and comedies such as How I Met Your Mother and live NYC-based chat shows such as David Letterman, The Daily Show and Jimmy Kimmel will either air repeats or broadcast with no studio audience. At time of posting, such shows as Castle (ABC) and new drama Revolution (NBC) may air as planned, depending on any breaking news if things get worse as the storm moves inland.
As of 9:00pm local time, the tides/water-levels were still rising to record-levels with 'high-tide' times yet to be reached and areas of subways rumoured to be hit. The likes of CNN, Fox, the BBC and other continue to broadcast regular updates...
Impact wishes all its East-Coast friends well and hopes you're out of the weather and safe on higher ground.
