STORM

New York City was slowly getting back to business as usual on Monday after Hurricane Irene but hundreds of thousands of people who normally travel in from the surrounding area faced a hellish commute as flooding knocked out some transit routes.

Tropical Storm Irene battered Vermont state with heavy rains late on Sunday, forcing hundreds of evacuations even as the storm's winds lost strength.

In the wake of Hurricane Irene, airlines are struggling to resume a normal schedule, particularly in New York City.

Investors appear to be relieved that the destruction wrought by the storm turned out to be less than feared.

Hurricane Irene, which ravaged through 10 states on the East Coast, left countless communities from North Carolina to New Jersey damaged, flooded and sans power as photos of the aftermath emerged.

Not disguising his complete aversion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 2012 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul said he believes the country would be better off without it.

Hurricane Irene could cost U.S. state and local governments billions of dollars in damages, but funds from the federal government might ultimately cover much of this expense.

Hurricane Irene prompted a death toll of at least 25 across eight states, the Associated Press reported. States of Emergency were declared in Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Maryland, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.

Claims by Michele Bachmann and Glenn Beck that last week's earthquake and hurricane were merely attempts by God to get our attention aren't funny. Nevertheless, Bachmann says her quote was only made in jest. Some of us aren't laughing, however.

President Barack Obama said Monday he is continuing to direct Hurricane Irene recovery and rebuilding efforts, as federal, state, and local officials assess damage in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, even as Northeast states like Vermont and New Jersey continue to get people out of harm's way of rising flood waters.

The effects of Hurricane Irene have not been as dire as expected, but the storm did wreak havoc on universities throughout the Northeast, many of which shut down part or all of their campuses or postponed student move-in dates.

After finding out that I'd finally get my hands on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt -- but during the weekend of Hurricane Irene's assault on the East Coast -- major concerns filled my head.

With the city in good shape after Hurricane Irene’s visit to New York, one person has scored a big political victory: Michael Bloomberg.

Hurricane Irene and the earthquake that recently rumbled through Washington, D.C. were God's way of telling Washington to reduce spending, according to GOP presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann.

Vermont sustained massive flooding from Irene, with may bridges -- including several scenic/historic bridges -- washed away along with roads. Heavy rain deluged the southern and central portion of the state Sunday, swelling rivers and in some cases cut off inundated communities.

New York reopened for business Monday, as subways got back into operation, though the city is moving slow getting back into full swing. Yet 25 lives were claimed by Hurricane Irene's destructive path, and millions remain without power. Hurricane Irene 2011 may not have been as damaging as some forecasts predicted, but from North Carolina, to Philadelphia and New Jersey, the storm's impact was severe, and weeks if not months may be required for full recovery.

The Virginian-Pilot newspaper reported that 35 percent of the fire had been contained on Friday, just before the storm arrived.

Hurricane Irene was not nearly as catastrophic as expected; were the precautions necessary?

With Hurricane Irene damage less than expected in the New York area, Monday’s air travel is slowly returning to normal.

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann told Florida voters on Sunday that Hurricane Irene and the recent earthquake were manifestations of God's desire to cut back government spending.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, Chase bank has found a heart for potential suffering customers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut: Staff will be increased, banking hours will be extended, and that banking overdraft fees and credit card late fees will be waived.