Summary of Sandy's effects, state by state

I want to preface this post with thanks.to the Associated Press ("AP") and Reuters.

You'll note that my last post was simply passing along a Reuters report via ABC TV news on the Sandy disaster and the threat that a new gathering storm is posing the water-logged American northeast.  This post is simply passing along an AP report carried by CBS TV news -- CBS and ABC being two of the three "free" (no charge for viewing) national American "broadcast" television networks.  (NBC is the third.  PBS, 'public television,' supported by private and public money, being a fourth free national news outlet. PBS gets many of its news feeds from the BBC).

This is not the time to ask why American television and press have become so dependent on AP and Reuters, or to ask whether it's good idea for news gathering to become consolidated in a few organizations.  Both questions are important, but right now is the time to say that I don't know what Americans would do without AP and Reuters and their veritable armies of reporters, writers and editors.  They have done a tremendous job of reporting on Superstorm Sandy and the storm's aftermath. 

Need I add that the lifeblood of a genuine democracy is accurate information on major events in a nation?

The following hardly explains the extent of the devastation left by Sandy, which is best conveyed in photographs, personal accounts and in-depth reports. But it conveys at a glance Sandy's range in the United States.         

A state-by-state look at superstorm's effects
AP via CBS News website
November 3, 2012, 11:41 PM EDT (updated 11:40 PM(

The massive storm that started out as Hurricane Sandy slammed into the East Coast and morphed into a huge and problematic system, killing at least 107 people in the United States. Power outages now stand at more than 2.2 million homes and businesses, down from a peak of 8.5 million. Here's a snapshot of what is happening, state by state.

CONNECTICUT
Memorial held for firefighter hit by falling tree. Deaths: 3. Power outages: 85,000, down from a peak of 625,000.

MASSACHUSETTS
Ship heading to Elizabeth, N.J., to house emergency workers, power crews and others. Deaths: None. Power outages: none, down from 400,000.

NEW JERSEY
Rationing system for auto fuel takes effect in northern New Jersey, creating confusion and frustration. State allowing displaced residents to vote by email or fax. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announces she will visit Sunday. Deaths: 23. Power outages: 1.1 million, down from 2.7 million.

NEW YORK
Lights go back on in lower Manhattan after days of darkness while resentment builds in hard-hit, still-powerless outer boroughs. Children go back to school Monday. Deaths: 48, including 41 in New York City. Power outages: 900,000, down from 2.2 million.

PENNSYLVANIA
Between 250 and 300 polling places remained without power just days before Tuesday's election. Red Cross closes all but two of its shelters. Deaths: 15. Power outages: 100,000, down from 1.2 million.

RHODE ISLAND
President declares a major disaster, freeing up federal funding for recovery efforts. Volunteers in Westerly work to clear away debris. Deaths: None. Power outages: none, down from more than 122,000.

WEST VIRGINIA
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano visits and pledges resources for state to recover from heavy snowfall. Deaths: 6. Power outages: 65,000, down from 270,000.

OTHER STATES WITH STORM-RELATED DEATHS
 Maryland (4), New Hampshire (1), North Carolina (3), Ohio (2), Virginia (2).

To help victims of Sandy, donations to the American Red Cross can be made by visiting Red Cross disaster relief, or you can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.