Post Sandy New York and New Jersey under attack from fresh storm

Tens of thousands of residents in New York and New Jersey have again lost power as a winter storm hit areas still recovering from Sandy's devastating impact.

For the second time in a handful of weeks, people were again forced to leave their homes and public transport was affected.

Winds gusted at up to 60mph (100km/h) bringing down trees and power lines.

New Jersey state governor Chris Christie reportedly said "I am waiting for the locusts and pestilence next."

Power companies in the two states report more than 100,000 customers suffered power outages.

Some 650,000 buildings were already without power one week after storm Sandy struck, killing more than 100 people.

But the damage from the latest storm was less than had been feared.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said low-lying areas had not been flooded at high tide on Wednesday afternoon, while expressing particular concern about the security of those areas where flood defences had not yet been repaired.

Storm Sandy had previously closed parks and beaches and temporarily halted outdoor construction.

However the New York Major said there was no need for mandatory evacuations because the storm was not expected to be as strong as Sandy.

Newly re-elected President Obama spoke to the governor of New York and New Jersey on Wednesday, with the discussions focussed on the continuing fuel shortages in the region.

Major airlines cancelled flights in and out of New York and New Jersey ahead of the storm.

So far 95,000 people have registered for emergency housing assistance in New York and New Jersey after Sandy, according to the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.

It added that it was ready to deploy additional resources if needed.