Hurricane Sandy has forced Google to cancel an event in New York at which its latest Nexus products may have been unveiled.
The company had issued invitations to the event with the vague one-line caption: "The playground is open."
News was soon abuzz of an Android-related announcement from the tech giant.
One rumour claimed a new version of the operating system would be revealed, while another suggested it would relate to Google Now, the company's intelligent personal assistant app.
Others suggested a hardware launch.
According to gadget website T3, Google had been expected to show off its new Nexus 4 smartphone as well as the Google Nexus 10, which is being produced by Samsung.
The much-anticipated 10in tablet is being touted as a key rival to Apple's newly released iPad with Retina Display.
But, whatever the truth of the rumours, Hurricane Sandy had other plans.
The storm, which currently has winds of up to 85mph, could develop into one of the largest storms the US has ever seen.
Some 50 million people are in the path of the 1,000-mile-wide storm.
Nine US states have declared states of emergency, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered the evacuation of 375,000 people in low-lying areas of the city.
Tech website The Verge pointed out that the event had been scheduled to take place on a waterfront pier that falls within the city's evacuation zone.
Google issued a statement saying: "We are cancelling our Monday morning event in New York due to Hurricane Sandy.
"We will let you know our plans as soon as we know more."
