“A state-by-state look at the East Coast superstorm by the Associated Press – 15 minutes ago 

“Hurricane Sandy is churning off the East Coast and is expected to join up with two other weather systems to create a huge and problematic storm affecting 50 million people. Here’s a snapshot of what is happening or expected, state by state.

“CAROLINAS: storm lashed barrier islands, several homes and businesses nearly inaccessible, about 90 miles off the coast, a tall ship carrying 17 people was in distress. CONNECTICUT:  power outage increased quickly, hundreds without electricity, many Long Island residents heeded warnings, evacuated. DELAWARE: Hundreds fled to shelters, rough surf pounded the coast, water covered some roads. KENTUCKY: Snow expected in mountainous areas.MAINE: forecast: coastal flooding and beach erosion, utility crew brought for anticipated power failure. MARYLAND: Baltimore opening six shelters; several city intersections closed due to flood threats. Early voting canceled for Monday. MASSACHUSETTS: Utilities brought in for anticipated power failures, most schools and colleges canceled classes. NEW HAMPSHIRE: 100 National Guard soldiers on active duty, two shelters set up, some schools closed. NEW JERSEY: Sandy’s center to make landfall here late Monday. By daybreak, thousands of homes and businesses were without electricity. Thousands of people evacuated low-lying areas, many inland towns hit by flooding from storm Irene last year issued evacuation orders. NEW YORK: Many residents left low-lying flood evacuation zones,  subway system shut down Sunday night, storm surge of 11 feet possible, highest of all coastal areas being hit by Sandy, New York Stock Exchange other U.S. financial markets shut down for at least the day, thousands of flights canceled at major airports. OHIO: Residents of low-lying areas and along Lake Erie told to watch for flooding; utilities anticipate high winds that could blow down trees and poles. Snow forecast in some areas. PENNSYLVANIA: Many schools closed,  Philadelphia shut down mass transit system, hundreds of flights canceled, dozens took shelter at evacuation centers. Thousands of members of the National Guard ready for deployment. RHODE ISLAND: Several communities ordered mandatory evacuations, many schools closed for the day, big waves  to cause floods along Narragansett Bay, which bisects the state, prep for long periods without electricity. TENNESSEE: Snow is expected in higher elevations, freeze warning issued, high winds expected. VIRGINIA: About 2,000 customers lacked power, about a million could ultimately lose electricity, many residents of Chincoteague Island, popular with tourists, shrugged off the idea of evacuation. VERMONT:state of emergency declared for access to National Guard troops. WASHINGTON DC:  transit system shut down rail service for the first time since 2003, Smithsonian Institution closed for the day. WEST VIRGINIA: forecast:  2 to 3 feet snow in mountainous areas, and floods in some areas. Several shelters on standby, power crews prepped.”