As Post-tropical Storm Cyclone Sandy moves further inland, highway officials in some states are re-opening some routes. However, many highways and bridges in the affected region remained closed this morning, while the storm dumps snow, closing more highways further inland.
Cities from North Carolina to Maine were all affected by the massive storm, which made landfall in New Jersey Monday evening. At least 15 people so far are known to have died, and millions of customers are without power. The Manhattan skyline was dark Monday.
Governors have declared states of emergency. President Obama has signed emergency and disaster declarations for many states, paving the way for federal assistance.
Most major tunnels and bridges in New York City were still closed this morning.
Pennsylvania highway officials lifted the speed-limit and vehicle restrictions that were in place on roadways in eastern and south central Pa., including the Delaware River Bridge and Fort Washington Interchange. Due to high wind speeds, a 45 mph speed limit remains on Interstate 90 in Erie County and Interstate 79 in Erie and Crawford counties until this afternoon.
In Connecticut, the governor has lifted the restriction banning cars and trucks from state highways.
As Hurricane Sandy headed toward the Jersey coast, it converged with a cold-weather system that turned it into a "superstorm" or "Frankenstorm" hybrid of rain, high wind, and even snow.
The storm is expected to move into western Pennsylvania today, then shift north into western New York tonight and move into Canada Wednesday. Further inland, Sandy could dump 1 to 3 feet of snow West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, in the mountainous areas along the North Carolina-Tennessee border and in far western Maryland.
Authorities closed nearly 50 miles of Interstate 68 on either side of the West Virginia-Maryland state line because of blizzard conditions. Eastbound lanes in Maryland were later reopened.
