Tourists shield themselves from driving rain in Times Square as Hurricane Sandy makes its approach in New York October 29, 2012. Hurricane Sandy began battering the U.S. East Coast on Monday with fierce winds and driving rain, as the monster storm shut down transportation, shuttered businesses and sent thousands scrambling for higher ground hours before the worst was due to strike. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly (UNITED STATES – Tags: ENVIRONMENT DISASTER TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Hurricane Sandy has led to a major shutdown in New York City, where mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered evacuations in low-lying areas.
The BBC’s Barbara Plett lives in Brooklyn, her office—that’s the United Nations—is closed Monday and she says many important meetings with heads of state just won’t happen.