NYC Construction Crane Snaps in Hurricane Sandy, Prompting Evacuation Orders

A mangled construction crane that was dangling from a New York City high-rise buffeted by Hurricane Sandy's powerful winds, prompted fire department officials to order guests at one of Manhattan's luxury hotels to evacuate their rooms.

Fire department officials went door to door at the posh Parker Meridien hotel, located at West 56th Street, near Central Park, and ordered all guests to assemble in the lobby with their belongings and wait for instructions on where they would be sent.

Earlier today, city officials responded to reports of a partially collapsed construction crane atop another New York City luxury high-rise building, One57. The crane had buckled in the high winds from Hurricane Sandy, prompting officials to order residents in nearby buildings to evacuate.

One57 is a 1,004-foot luxury residential tower under construction near Central Park at 57th street, between 6th and 7th avenues.

"Due to a crane collapse at 157 West 57th Street in Manhattan, all occupants of buildings on West 57th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues must immediately move to the lower floors of your building and make contact with your building safety representative," an email alert from the city said.

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Credit: Courtesy Susan Aranson

The collapsed part of the crane swayed in the wind for hours, as wind speeds from Hurricane Sandy expected to reach to 45 mph this afternoon and 80 mph by tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

City officials first responded to a report of a crane collapse at the 90-story building around 2:50 p.m. ET today. Police placed a cordon, about four blocks wide, as people stopped to gawk at the mangled metal wreck.

Upon completion, One57 will be New York City's tallest residential building. The private building hosts nine full-floor luxury apartments, including two duplexes under contract for more than $90 million each and seven others ranging from $45 million to $50 million, according to the New York Times, which called One57 "the global billionaires' club."

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ABC News' Brian Ross and Jean-Nicholas contributed to this report