East Coast Preps for ‘Frankenstorm’

Just in time for Halloween, Mother Nature is unleashing a weather monster. Hurricane Sandy has already claimed at least 41 lives in the Caribbean and is barreling toward the U.S., where it could bring a horrifying mix of high winds, heavy rains, extreme tides, and even snow as early as Sunday. At least $1 billion of damage is anticipated as the storm creeps up the East Coast, with officials lining up out-of-state work crews in preparation for expected power outages and destruction, governors declaring states of emergency, and New York City officials considering closing down mass transit ahead of landfall.