Storm damage was projected at USD 10 billion to USD 20 billion, meaning it could prove to be one of the costliest natural disasters in US history.
The deaths were reported from across seven states—New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina and West Virginia.
New York City, which saw a four-metre storm surge, expects the toll to rise, said Mayor Bloomberg.
“In addition to the lives we lost, the damage we suffered across the city is clearly extensive and it will not be repaired overnight,” Bloomberg told reporters.
“This was a devastating storm, maybe the worst that we have ever experienced,” he said.
In Staten Island, a large tanker ship ran aground.
