USA: Irene Batters New York, Causes Multi-Million Dollar Losses

Washington, Aug 29. -Politicians and insurance companies predict multi-million dollar losses as a consequence of hurricane Irene hitting the East Coast of the United States.In statements to the press quoted by NBC television, Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, noted the damage is equivalent to billions of US dollars.

On Friday, the US-based Kinetic Analysis Corp. disclosed that the storm could cause losses equivalent to 10 billion US dollars.

Although hurricane Irene downgraded to storm category when it hit New York, the phenomenon will continue affecting the already damaged U.S. economy.

Ocean water has streamed into streets in New York's Queens district, while streets in Brooklyn's Coney Island were also under water, the local television shows.

In Manhattan, water from New York Harbour lapped onto pavements in Battery Park, and about one feet of water washed over the wall of the marina in front of the New York Mercantile Exchange in lower Manhattan.

The storm has been blamed for the deaths of two children, as well as seven other people killed by falling trees, road accidents and high waves, in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Florida. (Prensa Latina)