(Newser)
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The death toll from Hurricane Sandy has spiked to at least 72 in eight states, the Wall Street Journal reports, a figure that is of course expected to rise as cleanup efforts continue. At least 30 of those deaths occurred in New York City, according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Most are likely to be drownings, the city's medical examiner says. As of yesterday, about 6 million homes still had no power, the Journal adds. Elsewhere:
- In terms of overall damage, New Jersey is emerging as clearly having fared the worst, the New York Times reports, noting that the storm decimated whole neighborhoods.
- Sandy likely caused billions of dollars in damage to the state, a quarter of whose residents were still without power yesterday, and NJ.com notes that utility officials are saying it could take two weeks or more to get the lights back on. In Hoboken, water "filled the city like a bathtub," says its mayor.
- Fearing looting—which has hit Brooklyn and Long Island—a number of areas have established curfews.
- Gov. Chris Christie has waived rules preventing gas stations from buying fuel out of state, NJ.com reports, as limited supplies are facing long lines after the hurricane closed key pipelines and refineries.
- On a lighter note, Long Island's Billy Joel and New Jersey sons Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi are to give a benefit concert on NBC tomorrow at 8pm, notes the AP. Lineup also includes Christina Aguilera, Sting, and Jimmy Fallon.
