US begins recovery after storm
Reports of long lines, dark stations and empty tanks circulated across the region, with some station owners unable to pump fuel due to a lack of power. Others quickly ran their tanks dry because of intensified demand and logistical problems in delivering fresh supplies.
The lack of working gasoline stations is likely to compound travel problems in the region. Gasoline stations on New York's Long Island and the city borough of Staten Island also reported shortages, while lengthy lines were seen in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. Commuters may see higher prices at the pumps in the coming days, though oil traders said it will also dampen demand for fuel and increase stockpiles in the region.
In New Jersey, where half of all businesses and homes were still without power, more than 80 per cent of filling stations are unable to sell gasoline, said Sal Risalvato, head of the New Jersey Gasoline, Convenience, Automotive Association.
"It's going to be an ugly few days until we can see both power and supplies restored," Mr Risalvato said.
New York City's subway system will resume operating on a limited basis tomorrow, four days after shutting down ahead of the arrival of Sandy, New York governor Andrew Cuomo said.
Limited service on suburban commuter rail lines serving Long Island to the east and Westchester County and Connecticut to the north would resume this afternoon, Mr Cuomo said at a press conference.
Trains were to begin operating on the Long Island Railroad and Metro North Railroad systems at 2pm (1800 GMT) today.
Mr Cuomo said the restored subway service would be supplemented by a "bus bridge" between Manhattan and Brooklyn, given that four of the seven tunnels connecting the two boroughs under the East River remain flooded. Three of the seven tunnels were now clear of water, he said.
In Manhattan, there would be no subway service south of 34th Street, Mr Cuomo said.
New York City counts an average of 5.3 million subway commuters each weekday. The system, which runs around the clock, comprises 21 subway routes linked by 468 stations, and stretches across 660 miles (1,062km) of track.
Mr Cuomo said officials faced a huge task to restore not only transportation services but other key portions of the city's infrastructure damaged when Sandy swept a record storm surge of nearly 4.3m over southern Manhattan and other low-lying waterfront areas..
John F Kennedy and Newark airports reopened with limited service after thousands of flights were canceled, leaving travellers stuck for days.
New York's LaGuardia Airport, the third of the airports that serve the nation's busiest airspace, was flooded and remained closed.
The storm killed 27 people in New York state, including 22 in New York City, and six in New Jersey. Seven other states reported fatalities, meanwhile. One disaster-modelling company said Sandy may have caused up to $15 billion in insured losses.
More than 8.2 million homes and businesses remained without electricity across several states after trees toppled by fierce winds tore down power lines.
Sunday's New York marathon is set go ahead as scheduled, but tonight's Halloween parade through Greenwich Village was postponed.
Guardian service/Agencies
