Powerlines block Ocean Drive in Longport, New Jersey the day after Hurricane Sandy hit. NewsWorks Photo/Tom MacDonld

The Jersey Shore received a blow of historic propositions as Sandy roared ashore. The Category 1 hurricane eradicated beaches, obliterated dunes, stranded stragglers and darkened millions of homes. This morning, bulldozers are trying to push the sand back toward the beaches, and officials are assessing damage that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie termed “incalculable.”

This morning on the Today show,  Christie reported that at least three people died in the Garden State as Sandy ravaged the Jersey Shore from end to end.

Associated Press reports a total death toll of 18 in the eastern United States.

Our partners at NewsWorks have the latest updates and photos of Sandy.