Hurricane Sandy: A Midwest View from Afar

Here in the midwest, we can only see from afar what being in the middle of Hurricane Sandy is like right now. The powerful storm has brought a reported 39 fatalities as of Tuesday afternoon.

The hurricane is also expected to incur a record-breaking $20 billion in property damage on the eastern seaboard, Huffington Post reported.

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A post-tropical cyclone Sandy continues to affect air travel throughout the United States, weakening as it moves westward, the National Weather Service reported. 

Chicago's O'Hare International Airport issued an airport emergency advisory and warned service will be limited due to severe weather in the east until 2 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 31). Travelers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

As of Tuesday, O'Hare canceled 500 flights and Midway cancled 70.Thousands more were expected to be grounded before mid-week, according to Huffington Post.

Follow the latest Sandy-related weather advisories, visit the National Weather Service. 

The National Weather Service has issued a lakeshore flood warning along the Lake Michigan shoreline in effect to 4 p.m. Wednesday. 

Strong wind gusts of up to 35mph and 40mph will continue to prevail across Lake Michigan, keeping waves along the Cook County shoreline in the 8-foot range and increasing the risk of flooding for the next several days.

Visit Ocean City, NJ Patch to view the Sandy photo and video gallery.

On Tuesday afternoon, Conneticut Governor Dannel Malloy tweeted this ominious advisory, CNN reported: "If u find urself surrounded by water, call 4 help if u can, then get 2 highest level of home. Hang a white sheet out a street-side window."

Find out where to donate to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

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