Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York • Page A1

HURRICANE SANDY. STORM UPDATES ONLINE AT PRESSCONNECTS.COM A GANNETT COMPANY PRESSCQNNECTS.COM BINGHAMTON, Y. PRESS SUN-BULLETIN TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012 SAN DY STRI KES Hundreds of thousands evacuated; more than 1 million lose power 1 hs 7. Flooding and high winds arrive Monday along North Michigan Avenue in Atlantic City, N.J. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain, ap photothe press of Atlantic city, michaelein By Katie Zezima Associated Press New York City and much of the Eastern Seaboard hunkered down Monday as megastorm Sandy slammed into the coast with an 800-mile-wide swath of destruction, torrential rain and gale-force winds.

The nation's largest city is likely to take the brunt of the storm's brute force. Most major bridges and tunnels were closed Monday night after nearly 400,000 residents were ordered to evacuate ahead of storm-surge flooding that could cripple the area's transportation, power grid and infrastructure for days. Nearly 60 million residents of 23 states were under some sort of storm watch Monday as Sandy downgraded from hurricane status but still one of the largest storm systems to ever strike the U.S. hit the New Jersey coast. More than 14,000 flights were canceled.

Trading on the New York Stock Exchange was suspended, and dozens of school districts canceled classes through today. Direct hit Facing a direct hit from Sandy, Atlantic City and other coastal cities were al ready under water early this morning and about 1 million residents were without electricity. Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore and Boston were bracing for a prolonged round of heavy rains, severe winds and widening power outages. Higher-elevation regions of Virginia and West Virginia were facing blizzar- See SANDY, Page 7A Storm surge has N.Y.'s attention Preston: 'Anything is open with this storm' FOLLOW THE STORM By Steve Re illy nnett.com Getandsharethe latest news: Follow us on Twitter: Opressconnects Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com pressconnects Tweet the storm: Use tiersandy to tweet the storm as it affects the region. By Jessica Bakeman jbakemangannett.com ALBANY The state closed several major New York City tunnels and bridges and deployed more than 2,000 National Guard soldiers to deal with the impact of Hurricane Sandy, Gov.

Andrew Cuomo said Monday. New York City's Holland Tunnel and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, formerly known as the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, closed Monday afternoon. The Tappan Zee Bridge and several other bridges, including the Throgs Neck and the George See NYC, Page 6A ever seen as far as a wind storm," Broome County Executive Debbie Preston said. "I don't think there's any power line that's going to be safe.

Anything is open with this storm." As the storm approached, state and local officials, as well as residents of the storm-weary Binghamton area, spared no detail as they prepared for the crushing winds. Preston ordered a state of emergency for Broome County beginning at 4 p.m. Monday, extending it indefinitely, prohibiting travel on public roads except for health care workers, public utility, public works, essential government employees and first responders. "This is a region that's been hit very See PRESTON, Page 5A Downed utility lines, closed roadways and widespread power outages are expected to bring life across the Southern Tier to a virtual halt today, officials warned on Monday as the Southern Tier braced itself for Sandy's inland push. "This storm is going to be the biggest that we've Sign up for text alerts: htt ywww.

ressco nects mtexta I erts For more information: Goto www.pressconnectssandy201 2 for tips on surviving the storm and more. The Binghamton Press Co. YOUR DAILY INSIDE 52 42 DOSE OF HUMOR PAGE For subscription or customer service, please call 1-800-253-5343 Ask how you can save with EZ-Pay! Sandy 5A-7A Comicspuzzles 2B-3B Local State 3A Lotteries 3A Nation World 1B Obituaries Sports Television Viewpoints Weather 4A-5A 8B 4B 8A 2A bob "4 2B-3B Details on 2A $L00 For home delivery pricing, see Page 2A WINDOWS SIDING GUTTERS DOORS GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICING Industry's Strongest Warranty Including Glass Breakage Hp 01 "Simply the Best for Lees'" InoiallSiH II in I III HOUSEKEEPING iiiamiiDU-; Maxjmjmsize4fLx6fL Askfbrdetails..