Good morning. Here’s the latest satellite image, via the Weather Channel. We’re experiencing light rains at this hour — winds gusting to about 19 m.p.h. The winds will pick up to 35 m.p.h. or so in the next couple of hours and we’re likely to see about a half inch of rain by mid-day. Forecasters are still expecting Sandy to come ashore tonight in New Jersey. Right now the storm is 425 miles southeast of New York City. Top sustained winds are 85 m.p.h. and hurricane force winds extend 170 miles from the center of the storm.
An evacuation order is in effect for Zone A, which includes a sizable swath of the Lower East Side waterfront. A seawater surge of anywhere from 6-11 feet could swamp sections of this neighborhood. Subway and bus service have both been suspended. MTA officials say it could be Wednesday before public transit is back online. By last night, more than 300 people had checked into a shelter at Seward Park High School. We’ll have storm updates throughout the day. Let us know what you’re seeing and hearing.
