Nor'easter Sets Back Recovery From Superstorm Sandy

Nov. 8, 2012— -- A nor'easter's wind, rain and snow has knocked out power to many Northeast residents who'd only recently gotten it back after superstorm Sandy battered the region last week.

For many frustrated residents in New York and New Jersey, who had just dried off after being inundated with the superstorm flood waters, the Wednesday nor'easter was the last thing they needed.

"I am waiting for the locusts and pestilence next," New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday.

The storm brought wet snow, sleet, rain and wind gusts that reached up to 54 mph on Long Island, N.Y., Wednesday afternoon through the evening.

Con Edison said the nor'easter had knocked out power to at least 11,000 customers by Wednesday evening, some of whom had just gotten it back in New York City. Tens of thousands more were expected to lose power overnight.

The Long Island Power Authority said by evening the number of customers in the dark had risen from 150,000 to more than 198,000.

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In New Jersey, Christie had ordered evacuations along the southern coastline before the storm. "We may take a step back in the next 24 hours," he said. "You need to be prepared for that. I'm prepared for that. I hate setbacks. I don't tolerate them usually very well but this one I can't control."

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered all parks, playgrounds and beaches closed and all construction sites to be secured. Tuesday evening, Bloomberg ordered three nursing homes and an adult-care facility evacuated from Queens' vulnerable Rockaway peninsula.

"It is a good idea to stay indoors," Bloomberg warned Wednesday. "Hurricane Sandy weakened trees and storm debris blow around dangerously."

The nor'easter is winding down this morning for New Jersey and New York, but snow will continue today for parts of New England, where an additional 2 to 6 inches are possible.

New Haven, Conn., was walloped Wednesday with more than 10 inches of snow while more than 4 inches fell in Central Park and 6 inches in Newark, N.J.

READ: Eerie Scenes From Classic NJ Shore Town Ravaged by Sandy

The highest recorded wind gust was 76 mph in Buzzards Bay, Mass.

For New York residents of the Rockaways, living in a cold home with no power has become a part of everyday life and the nor'easter added insult to injury.

"It's like a sequel to a horror movie," resident James Alexander said.

Donation sites in the Rockaways made room for people to sleep as temperatures dropped overnight into the 30s. Shelters stocked up on food, water and blankets, with hypothermia a serious risk for those still without power and heat.

More than 1,700 New York City-area flights have been canceled since Wednesday after Sandy caused about 23,000 flight cancellations last week.

ABC News' Ginger Zee, Max Golembo and The Associated Press contributed to this report.