Evacuation, Winter Storm | featured news

Hundreds of thousands of people were told to flee low-lying areas, New York and Washington shut down their subways, federal offices and local schools closed, and presidential candidates curtailed their campaigning as Hurricane Sandy roared ever closer to the Eastern Seaboard on Sunday, promising epic storm surges, howling winds and drenching rain across much of the Mid-Atlantic region and Northeast.

Crews waded through thigh-high mud to check for gas leaks and survey damage as evacuated residents waited to find out if they could return to their homes.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa urged hundreds of Californians to heed evacuation orders and flee their homes before a dangerous storm hits their area Wednesday morning.