Here are the latest developments as Hurricane Sandy churns towards the New Jersey coastline:
- The storm is now about 200 miles southeast of Atlantic City New Jersey and her winds have strengthened to 90 mph. New York City will likely see the worst effects around 8 p.m. Authorities are concerned an 11-foot wall of water could swamp Lower Manhattan, including low lying areas of the Lower East Side.
- The New York Public Schools will be closed for a second day tomorrow. In a news conference that wrapped up a short time ago, Mayor Bloomberg said the continued shutdown of mass transit made the decision to cancel Tuesday classes inevitable.
- Forecasters fear winds in New York City could exceed 100 mph by 9 p.m. The mayor guessed that up to 50% of those living in the mandatory evacuation area have remained in their homes. He indicated the time for evacuation had nearly come to an end. This afternoon it will be too dangerous for people to be making a move to a shelter, he said.
- State Senator Dan Squadron tweeted a few moments ago that the shelter at Seward Park High School is only 60% as full as it was during Hurricane Irene.