It's a superstorm, all right: Here's how Hurricane Sandy measures up for destructive potential

NEW YORK – Here's a by-the-numbers look at Hurricane Sandy its expected impacts:

THE HURRICANE

— As of midafternoon Monday, sustained winds were reaching 90mph.

— It was moving northwest at 28 mph.

— Winds of tropical force extend almost 500 miles from Sandy's center.

— Its central barometric pressure reached a record low for the Northeast, 940 millibars, indicating a lot of energy and wind potential.

HUMAN RESPONSE

— More than 7,000 flights have been grounded.

— Some 375,000 people were told to evacuate in New York City.

— The Federal Emergency Management Agency has about 490,000 meals in place in the Northeast, along with more than 150,000 gallons of water.

PREDICTIONS

— The storm could leave 2 to 3 feet of snow in mountainous areas of West Virginia.

— Storm surges in Long Island Sound and New York Harbor could reach 6 to 11 feet above ground. Between Long Island Sound and the Delmarva Peninsula, which includes parts of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, surges could reach 4 to 8 feet above ground level.

— Winds of gale force are expected for nearly one-third of the nation, as far west as Ohio.

— Rainfall of up to a foot is expected in some places, especially west of the storm.