Obama warns Sandy could cause fatalities

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama warned Monday that Hurricane Sandy was a powerful storm that could cause deaths, and said his concern for now was the safety of Americans and not next week's election.

"This is going to be a big and powerful storm and all across the Eastern Seaboard I think everybody is taking the appropriate preparations," he told reporters after having a briefing on the storm in the White House Situation Room.

Obama said those in the region affected by the Hurricane should listen to local and state officials on whether or not to evacuate, and expressed confidence that emergency crews are prepared to tackle the storm preparations and clean-up that will be needed in the coming days.