Hurricane Sandy: Death Toll Passes 50, Millions Still Without Power, Air Footage of Devastation

Officials and East Coast residents are still busy taking stock of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. At least 50 people have died in the U.S. as a result of the storm and 8.2 million households, in 17 states, are still without electricity.  See video of the devastation in New Jersey.

But there is a bit of good news. The New York Stock Exchange will open today after being closed for two days for the first time since a blizzard in 1888.

However, New York City's mass transit system continues to be shut down and the power that's out around New York may take up to a week to restore, according to Consolidated Edison.

Sandy continues to cause trouble in other areas. The storm dumped up to two feet of snow in parts of West Virginia, with up to four-feet in the Great Smoky Mounts National Park on the Tennessee-North Carolina boarder.

Back on the East Coast, images of the devastation continued to spread via the Internet and TV, including the washed out Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey and a roller coaster from Funtown Pier rolling out to sea.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie spoke about possibly rescheduling Halloween, called the clean up "a huge job" and vowed he wouldn't let the politics of the presidential election get in the way of getting the job done, praising President Obama for his response.

New York Mayor Bloomberg held a press conference to update everyone on the progress recovery efforts.  Despite the devastation left from Hurricane Sandy, Bloomberg says the NYC marathon will go on as planned Sunday.

Damage from Hurricane Sandy is estimated at between $20 and $45 billion.

Source: AP