storm

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the death toll in the city from the huge storm is up to 10. In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie says the sudden middle-of-the-night flooding of two towns was the result of a tidal surge that sent water overflowing a natural berm.

The National Hurricane Center said early Monday that the storm has top sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph), with higher gusts. It is moving toward the north-northwest at 20 mph (32 kph).

Forecasters say Hurricane Sandy is about 310 miles (505 kilometers) south-southeast of New York City, and the center of the storm is expected to be near the mid-Atlantic coast on Monday night.

The Coast Guard has rescued 14 members of the crew forced to abandon the tall ship HMS Bounty caught in Hurricane Sandy off the North Carolina Outer Banks.

Forecasters say there's still quite a bit of uncertainty about the path that will be taken by Hurricane Sandy.