Sandy Victims Warned Over New York Cold Snap

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has warned residents of the risk of hypothermia as temperatures plunge amid the aftermath of superstorm Sandy.

Temperatures are set to plunge to 2C overnight in the area as some residents remain without gas for heating or electrical power.

Mr Bloomberg said that the Long Island Power Authority (Lipa) "has not acted aggressively enough" to restore power to storm-hit residents in the region.

He called it "unacceptable" that the worst-hit areas were not given priority for repairs after some residents were told it could take two weeks to restore power.

The Red Cross said it was stepping up its efforts in the face of the new storm, which is expected to bring cold winds, rain and possibly snow.

Charley Shimanski, senior vice president of disaster services, said: "We're working closely with emergency operations centres to stand up warming facilities, warming shelters, and stocking those with additional blankets, pillows and everything needed."

Electrical power has been restored to many residents

Mr Bloomberg's attack on the power company comes just hours after US President Barack Obama showed reporters a photo of a US Air Force transport plane being used to bring electrical utility cherry-picker trucks from other parts of the country to the damaged areas.

Mr Bloomberg also warned residents that fully resolving the shortages at petrol stations could take a few days.

Long lines of vehicles and pedestrians formed after governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the US Department of Defence was opening the mobile fuel stations in New York City and on suburban Long Island.

The government then asked the public to stay away from the locations until emergency responders get their fuel tanks filled.

National Guard Colonel Richard Goldenberg said on Saturday afternoon that people who were already at the distribution sites would not be turned away.

Residents get into arguments over gasoline supplies

Energy companies have said they were working around the clock to restore power to parts of New York devastated by the powerful storm.

In the last 24 hours, engineers in Manhattan have managed to repair 11 power grids damaged by the high winds and storm surge.

But around 5,800 homes were still without electricity in Manhattan as of Saturday morning.

The worst-hit area of New York remains Queens - with 81,000 people still without power. Brooklyn and Staten Island both have 31,000 and the Bronx has 25,000 without electricity.

A statement from energy firm Con Edison said it had now restored power to 70% of customers - around 645,000 homes.

New Jersey governor Chris Christie stopped gas to the Barrier Islands

It said: "The hurricane is the worst natural disaster to strike Con Edison's customers in the company's history.

"Crews are facing thousands of downed wires in New York City and Westchester County.

"Some cannot be re-energised since they are in flood zones with damage that bars the safe re-introduction of electricity."

Earlier on Saturday, New Jersey governor Chris Christie announced a decision to cut natural gas supplies to the Barrier Islands, due to the risk of explosions caused by gas leaks.

Some residents of New Jersey have been moved to tents set up by a utility company due to the length of time they are expected to be homeless due to the storm that hit the east coast last Monday.

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