New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the storm surge was higher than the highest forecast, but he expected the waters to start receding from midnight local time.

BBC: Storm Sandy causes severe flooding in eastern US

Midnight blue lakes reflect the huge forested canyons in their flawless waters, crystalline waterfalls flow from the mountain tops and exquisite orchids and rhododendrons weave threads of colour through the greenery of the forest floor.

BBC: The return of China��s wild panda

John Waters, the writer and director who emerged from the midnight movie circuit of the 1970s, has earned his status as a social critic.

WSJ: John Waters