Officials are reporting that the storm killed at least 43 people in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut and left millions without power.

States of emergency remained in effect across the region by midday Thursday.

NY Gov. Kathy C. Hochul put it bluntly:

“We did not know that between 8:50 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. last night that the heavens would literally open up and bring Niagara Falls-level water to the streets of New York.” 

“Al Gore gave us a wake-up call 20 years ago and no one paid attention,” said Frank Feingold, 76, a retired probation officer.

Everyone is paying attention now.