It's finally getting windy in Manhattan's East Village and Lower East Side, as Hurricane Sandy approaches the city.
By early Monday afternoon, only a sprinkling of rain has fallen on the east side of Lower Manhattan, but gusts of wind blow down the narrow streets.
Parts of both neighborhoods lie in Zone A, which Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered evacuated on Sunday.
Many people who evacuated during Hurricane Irene last year have decided to stay put and ride out this storm. The nearest evacuation center is in Chinatown, and some families, particularly those with young children, prefer to take their chances in their apartments.
Plenty of businesses are still open, especially grocery stores and restaurants.
EV Grieve has a huge list of stores that are open today.
Whole Foods and Starbucks are closed. Gracefully on Avenue A is out of bread and eggs, but Key Foods has bread.
The iconic deli and Lower East Side sausage kitchen Katz's is open and packed.
Police are shooing away picture takers along the East River, and FDR Drive is slick and empty.
Slainte on Bowery has half-priced happy hour drinks, including hurricanes.
No reports of anyone losing power, phone reception or internet yet, though that might change tonight, when the main force of the storm is expected to hit.
Bodegas, 7-11 and most corner stores are open, though many are low on water.
ATMs on Avenue C are running out of cash, as nervous patrons stock up on an emergency supply.
Train service in the entire city is shut down, and all schools are closed both today and tomorrow.
ConEdison power company trucks are lining up in Union Square, ready to respond to power outages.
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