New York plunged into darkness and despair

US: The fury of “Frankenstorm” plunged New York into darkness, desperation and panic.

Superstorm Sandy left the the Wall Street financial district and the rest of lower Manhattan without power and no firm idea when the lights will be turned on again.

The streets, many waist deep in floodwater, were eerily quiet after the storm, with the only sound coming from distant sirens and the only light cast by candles in apartment windows and the blue and red flashes of police cars.

“It's kind of scary. There is no light in the street, no people in the street,” said Ilona, a 22-year-old student from Russia, as she looked out over the murky water. Even the traffic lights were out. Special generator trucks were ordered in, and authorities reopened the George Washington bridge so some could be driven in from neighboring New Jersey.

AFP