Photos: Hurricane Sandy Wreaks Havoc

UPDATE (10-30-12 @ 8:30 a.m.): Hurricane Sandy has been downgraded from a hurricane, but the massive storm still has the norhteast in its grips this morning as crews just begin to survey the damage.

Here's the extent of the situation:

• Six million people in 7 states without electricity;
• At least 16 people dead, 7 in the New York area;
• The storm spread out 485 miles from its center at its strongest;
• New York City subways may be closed up to four days following widespread flooding.

This is a breaking news update. Check back for more details. The original story follows.

The sun was begining to set Monday as the worst of Hurricane Sandy was comng ashore with a direct collision with New Jersey between between Atlantic City and Wildwood.

The storm's size, its combination with a cold front and the large population centers it was to hit, has forecasters and officials fearing the worst.

"Sandy is unfolding as the Northeast's Katrina in terms of impact," said AccuWeather's Expert Senior Meteorologist Steve Wistar.

Conditions continually worsened Monday, but the worst of the storm was expected to reach land in the evening hours and into Tuesday.