MAJOR US cities including New York and Washington were braced last night for a superstorm that threatened up to 50million Americans.
Hurricane Sandy was heading north from the Caribbean — where it left nearly five dozen people dead — to meet a winter storm and cold front, plus high tides and a full moon.
Experts predicted the resulting rare hybrid storm could be the “worst ever” to hit the US mainland.
Yesterday 375,000 residents of low-lying areas of New York were told to evacuate — and Governor Chris Christie urged New Jersey locals: “Don’t be stupid. Get out.”
As rain from the leading edges of the monster hurricane began to fall, the 12 casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, shut down for only the fourth time in the 34-year history of legalised gambling there.
Sandy was expected to hook left towards the mid-Atlantic coast and hit land late Monday or early Tuesday — most likely in New Jersey.
Forecasters said giant waves and high tides made worse by the full moon could drive an 11ft wall of water towards New York City, Long Island and northern New Jersey.
From above ... horror clouds
They also warned the superstorm could bring nearly a foot of rain, a potentially lethal storm surge and punishing winds stretching hundreds of miles. It could even dump up to 2ft of SNOW in Kentucky, North Carolina and West Virginia.
States of emergency were declared across the threatened area. New York and Philadelphia shut down their subways, buses and commuter trains last night and announced schools would be closed on Monday. Boston, Washington and Baltimore also cancelled school.
Warning ... signs to keep public out of water
Some experts feared flooding could knock out the underground network of power, phone and high-speed internet lines in New York.
Wary shopkeepers boarded up their premises in readiness for the arrival of the storm.
Meanwhile thousands of British tourists were left stranded after airlines cancelled flights to and from the east coast of America.
Ready ... boarded-up shop in Delaware
More than 3,000 international flights to cities including New York, Washington, and Boston were axed due to the weather.
Despite the dire warnings, some locals were still refusing to leave.
Jonas Clark, of Manchester Township, New Jersey — right in the area where Sandy was projected to come ashore — stood outside a shop, calmly sipping a coffee.
Video: Hurricane Sandy: 375000 to be evacuated from New York
NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg warns residents of dangers of predicted storm
The 73-year-old said: “People are getting themselves into a tizzy. I’ve seen a lot of major storms in my time. There’s nothing you can do but take precautions and ride out things the best you can.”
