Sandy: 150,000 Homes Still Without Power

More than 150,000 homes and businesses are still waiting for the lights to come back on two weeks after superstorm Sandy.

The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) in New York has about 130,000 customers still without power.

Most of the remaining homes without power are located in New Jersey.

The totals do not include the tens of thousands of homes that are too damaged to have electricity restored.

Consolidated Edison, which serves New York City, said damaged equipment, affecting thousands of people, had to be inspected and repaired before power can be returned.

The prolonged lack of electricity, as well as a dearth of information about when it will be restored, has angered residents and government officials.

On Saturday, hundreds of residents gathered outside the LIPA office in Hicksville, New York, to complain about the slow response to the power cuts.

"We are sitting in a cold house. No one comes by," said John Mangin of Levittown, New York.

"There should be criminal charges against the CEO and the executive board of LIPA for failure to do their jobs."

LIPA chief operating officer Michael Hervey said he was aware that customers had not received the information they needed, partly because of an outdated information technology system which is in the process of being updated.

"I certainly feel the frustration of customers whose power remains out. Our hearts go out to them," Mr Hervey said.

But he said workers were repairing the unprecedented storm damage as quickly as possible.