Sandy aftermath: NY slowly regaining power

NEW YORK (KABC) -- As recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, New York is slowly regaining power.

Fewer than 1 million customers in New York were without power Saturday, the lowest the number has been since the storm hit. There was also some good news on the gas front.

Join ABC7 and the American Red Cross at relief drives to raise money for the victims of Superstorm Sandy

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that 8 million gallons of gas has been delivered to New York, with another 28 million gallons on the way. Cuomo said temporary fuel trucks are being sent to key locations in New York City and suburban Long Island for emergency vehicles and the public.

This is good news for thousands of people who have been waiting hours in long lines to fill their tanks.

In New Jersey, gas was being rationed starting noon Saturday, with drivers being allowed to buy it only every other day - based on odd/even license plate numbers. Gov. Chris Christie said he hopes the rationing will ease long wait lines at gas stations and prevent fuel shortage.

Meantime, the New York Marathon, the world's largest marathon, remains canceled. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg made that decision Friday because it was creating division. Critics argued that supplies and water needed for the event should be used for the recovery effort.

Five days after Superstorm Sandy, the northeast is slowly regaining its footing. In addition to New York regaining more power, Christie in New Jersey said that he would make public a list of when utility companies intend to restore power to each community. Even if they end up working faster or slower, he said, residents will have a sense of when they will have power restored so they can plan their lives a bit better.

Subscribe to ABC7 reporter Rob McMillan on Facebook for live updates from New York

President Barack Obama met with top aides and government officials early Saturday morning to assess the recovery progress, announcing that he has put together a team to get power back to the victims as soon as possible.

Even amid these steps for recovery, forecasters say a nor'easter may be headed that direction. The National Weather Service says the weather system wouldn't be as bad as Sandy and isn't tropical. However, it could include snow in interior New England and New York, beach erosion and high winds for areas hit by Sandy, and moderate or heavier rainfall.

You can help victims of the storm by sending relief checks for the American Red Cross to ABC7. Checks can be made out to: American Red Cross, with Sandy Relief in the memo line. Send checks to:

Superstorm Sandy Relief
P.O. Box 5967
Glendale, CA 91221

See photos of superstorm Sandy along the East Coast

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Get more WEATHER »

superstorm sandy, storm, hurricane, tropical storm, flooding, weather, q mccray

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•