Sandy Death Toll Hits 90

А handout photograph provided by the US Air Force on 31 October 2012 shows aerial views of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy to the New Jersey coast. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The death toll from Sandy is continuing to rise, as swathes of the US East Coast battle to recover from the massive storm that hit three days ago.

At least 90 people are now known to have died in the US, 38 in New York City alone, and others are missing. The number could continue to rise as rescuers search house-by-house, especially in Staten Island.

About 4.5 million people in 12 states are still without power, and chronic fuel shortages persist.

The National Guard is to deliver a million meals and bottled water to New Yorkers affected by the storm.

The number of dead in the US has exceeded the toll from the Caribbean, where 69 people were killed by Sandy.

The storm could cost the USD 50 B, according to forecasting firm Eqecat, doubling the previous estimate.