Hurricane Sandy lay waste to a large section of Atlantic City's iconic Boardwalk, with the storm itself still several miles off shore.

The city, which lost power a short while ago, was under a mandatory evacuation, but some stayed behind and several business remained open.

New Jersey governor Chris Christie had some harsh words for Atlantic City mayor Lorenzo Langford, who allowed residents to remain in shelters on the island, effectively stranding them until the storm's passage.

At least one of those shelters is now flooded, according to Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Matt Katz.

[photo via @twcMariaLaRosa, video via ABC News]