Super-storm Sandy has made landfall on the east coast of the United States, bringing hurricane force winds, flooding and claiming as many as 13 lives.

In New York, Lower Manhattan was sunk into total darkness following power failures, while flooding was also seen in subway and road tunnels.

Some 50 million people have been affected by the storm, with five million without electricity.

Sandy has killed dozens of people as it carved a path of destruction through the Caribbean over the past few days.

Public transport has been halted in several eastern US cities, and thousands of flights have been grounded across the east of the country.

The New York Stock Exchange will stay shut on Tuesday.

Both President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney cancelled campaign appearances little more than a week before the presidential election.

The storm made landfall close to Atlantic City in New Jersey at about 20:00 local time, packing winds of more than 80mph.

Nearly 5,000 flights have been cancelled today as a result of the storm, with some airlines not expected to return to the skies until late on Wednesday.

This brings to 15,000 the total number of flights cancelled since the storm disruption began earlier this week.