Hurricane Sandy, a rare hybrid super-storm

It's hot today. Humid too. Outside there is not even a hint of a gentle breeze as there is no movement in the trees. It would feel like a pressure cooker outside but thanks to the aircond, indoors is a much-preferred space to be.

Still, the heat and humidity is nothing compared to what New Yorkers or residents of the U.S. east coast regions are going through at this moment.

A rare, hybrid "super storm", Sandy, as it is called has hurled a record-breaking 13-foot (43-feet) surge of seawater at New York City on Monday, roaring ashore after washing away part of the Atlantic City boardwalk. On CNN last night, the camera showed New York City was deserted as people have been asked to stay safe.

U.S. stock markets were closed for the first time since the attacks of September 11, 2001, and will remain shut on Tuesday. The government in Washington was closed and school was cancelled up and down the East Coast.

This image from The Star shows Hurricane Sandy, one of the biggest storms ever to hit the United States, battered the densely populated East Coast on Monday, shutting down transportation, forcing evacuations in flood-prone areas and interrupting the presidential election campaign.

Meteorologists say Sandy is a rare, hybrid "super storm" created by an Arctic jet stream wrapping itself around a tropical storm.

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More pictures on CNN.

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