Big Apple left battered but worst is over

IRENE charged into New England yesterday as it weakened to a tropical storm after racing across New York city leaving the East Coast stunned, with at least 16 dead, widespread flooding and power outages for four million homes and businesses.

As waves continued pounding the Connecticut shore east of America’s biggest city, New York city mayor Michael Bloomberg lifted the evacuation order for the 400,000 residents in low-lying areas, mainly Lower Manhattan Queens and Brooklyn.

New England residents were now feeling the brunt of the diminished but still-dangerous storm. It was expected to move over eastern Canada last night.