Death toll from super storm Sandy continues to rise

(FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – Parts of the subway system are back up and running, but the transportation system is still a nightmare in New York City, where bus lines wind around city blocks.

The death toll from the super storm is rising and patience is wearing thin.

There are huge challenges ahead for cities trying to recover, including fuel shortages and more than three million customers still without electricity.

You can imagine the frustration with the lines of people in New York City waiting for buses. There are long lines for gas, too - 14 blocksat some stations - easily a mile or more. The Associated Press is reporting a guy in Queens even pulled a gun on someone who complained when he cut the line.

Drivers are being asked to carpool with three or more people to try to cut down traffic.

The backbone of transportation in New York City - the subway system - is showing signs of improvement, but water in the East River's tunnels means only trains above 34th Street are up and running and even those are still on a limited schedule.

Crews from Massachusetts are doing what they can to help. Mass Maritime is reportedly sending a boat to serve as a floating hotel for relief workers.

An 80-member search and rescue team from Massachusetts is working around the clock in New York and New Jersey. On top of all that frustration and so much sadness, the bodies of two little boys were found on Staten Island. A 2-year-old and his 4-year-old brother were on their way to Brooklyn with their mom tried to escape the storm, but rising flood waters  forced them onto the roof and the boys were swept away by large waves.

So with all this in mind, there are questions heading into the weekend about the New York Marathon. Many who lost everything and are dealing with no basics like power and water say cancel it. But Mayor Bloomberg is pushing ahead. Marathon organizers tried to curb backlash by launching a program called "The Race to Recover" and putting in $1 million.

What do you think? Should the marathon still go on? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook.

Click here for complete Sandy coverage.

Cox Media Group