Fresh storm threatens Sandy-battered parts of USA

New York, Nov 7: With the US struggling to overcome the effects of last week's Hurricane Sandy, officials have aired caution about a fresh nor'easter bearing down on New York and New Jersey. Residents were told that the storm might cause further damage to areas that were ravaged by the previous hurricane.

The National Weather Service said the new storm, named 'Athena', would be accompanied by strong winds and coastal floods. Snow fell across New York city on Wednesday and more snowfall was forecast in parts of New England.

While Long Island Rail Road suspended all services on Wednesday evening, Metro-North suburban trains ran at lesser speeds due to slippery railway tracks. City parks, playgrounds and beaches were shut while construction work was stopped. Some nursing homes in the battered Rockaways area of Queens were evacuated. Residents were encouraged to evacuate and seek shelter elsewhere mainly because of the prevailing debris and weakened trees that could threaten lives.

The new storm is expected to give a heavy blow to several people who are still without power as a result of Sandy's onslaught. In New York City, over 60,000 people were still without power and authorities said a major hurdle to power restoration was salt water which affected wires and switches.

OneIndia News