Live Update: CNN’s Quick Piece on Weather Reporters, and Sandy’s Significant Movement

*UPDATE: 8:11 PM – Hurricane Sandy is now “Superstorm Sandy.” 

According to the Associated Press’ Erin McClam, Sandy “was stripped of hurricane status, but the distinction was purely technical, based on its shape and internal temperature. It still packed hurricane-force wind, and forecasters were careful to say it remained every bit as dangerous to the 50 million people in its path.”

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(6:10 PM)

The above image is from NASA’s Earth Observatory website, where it is being reported that Hurricane ‘SANDY’ has begun to pick up speed, with gusty winds now reaching maximum reads of 75 mph, a significant increase from local News 12’s report as of 6:17 PM of wind and rain blowing between 30 to 60 mph.

Meanwhile, there is a damaged crane that has partially collapsed due to the hurricane, and New York City officials have been scrambling within the last few hours to evacuate the area surrounding the building with the crane, as the building itself is under construction with a lot of potential debris that can easily drop and scatter all over the perimeter.

(Photo credits)

(7:00)

New York officials are continuously anticipating a possible fall in regards to the dangling crane, and Hurricane Sandy is now categorized as a Post-Tropical Storm.

In Westchester, while the area was relatively calm around 6 pm, the winds have now picked up speed and is noticeably stronger. Certain parts of the county, such as in New Rochelle have lost power (this has been going on since this morning), and some are now experiencing flood.

(7:20)

Sandy is reportedly making landfall, and over 300,000 have been evacuated in Connecticut (according to CNN).

To the weather reporters now braving Sandy, goodness be with you.