PICTURES: Hurricane Sandy Hits New York & New Jersey

 As the hurricane gets closer, tens of millions of people in the East Coast of the U.S, prepare Monday for torrential downpours and storm surges that authorities warned could bring devastation unlike anything they’ve seen.

Hurricane Sandy could affect as many as 60 million people. PHOTOS INSIDE

“This is the most catastrophic event that we have faced and been able to plan for in any of our lifetimes,” Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy said.
An expected storm surge at midnight could raise water levels to 11 feet above normal high tide, bringing “the potential to cause unprecedented damage.”
As of Monday afternoon, 116,000 customers are without power in seven states.