Key developments as mega-storm approaches US

Here are the key developments as the US East Coast braces for the potentially devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy:

— Sandy takes aim for the Eastern Seaboard after claiming 66 lives in the Caribbean

— President Barack Obama urges Americans to take the storm “very seriously”

— Hundreds of thousands ordered evacuated from coastal areas in New York, New Jersey and Delaware

— Forecasters warn of “life-threatening” storm surges of six to 11 feet (1.8 to 3.3 meters) in waters around New York City and northern New Jersey

— States of emergency declared in seven states, plus the US capital

— Public schools closed Monday in seven states, for two million children

— Airlines cancel more than 5,000 flights Sunday through Monday

— New York City, Philadelphia and New Jersey shut down trains, subways and buses

— Amtrak cancels service in the northeast corridor from Sunday night

— Government gives non-emergency federal workers Monday off

— Maryland suspends early voting for the presidential election on Monday

— Both campaigns stop sending fundraising emails to likely affected states

— Broadway cancels Sunday, Monday shows; New York public parks closed from Sunday evening

— UN headquarters in New York to be shut on Monday, meetings cancelled

— New York Stock Exchange will remain open on Monday, but for electronic trades only

— Casinos shut in New Jersey’s Atlantic City from Sunday