Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc on parts of the U.S. East Coast a month ago Thursday after tearing through the Caribbean. In the weeks since, the storm's scope has come into sharper focus. DEATHS Sandy killed at least 125 people in the United States. That includes 60 in New York — 43 of them in New York City — 34 in New Jersey and 16 in Pennsylvania. At least seven people died in West Virginia, where the storm dropped heavy snow. Sandy killed 71 people in the Caribbean, including 54 in Haiti. LOSSES Sandy is being blamed for about $62 billion in damage and other losses in the U.S., the vast majority of it in New York and New Jersey, a number that could increase. It's the second-costliest storm in U.S. history after 2005's Hurricane Katrina, which caused $128 billion in damage in inflation-adjusted dollars. Sandy caused at least $315 million in damage in the Caribbean. DAMAGE Sandy damaged or destroyed homes and businesses, more than 72,000 in New Jersey alone. In New York, 305,000 housing units were damaged or destroyed and more than 265,000 businesses affected. In Cuba, the number of damaged homes has been estimated at 130,000 to 200,000. DISASTER AID The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are mounting a united effort to get federal aid for the region. New York is seeking $42 billion, including about $9 billion for projects to head off damage in future storms; New Jersey wants $37 billion, including $7.4 billion for future projects; and Connecticut seeks $3.2 billion for the future. Continued... |