Rain

Billions of dollars in damage. Millions left without power. Dozens of deaths. Those are the most serious numbers blamed so far on superstorm Sandy. Here are some of the meteorological stats, from wind gusts, rainfall totals and, amazingly, even snow. A couple of winters ago at least one blizzard was colorfully called a "snowicane. " Sandy was closer to really being one. The highest measurements, according to the National Weather Service, as of 5 a.m. today: Gust: 90 m.p.h.

The final numbers weren't in this morning, but preliminary ones give a rough idea of how much wind and rain was experienced around the region during Hurricane Sandy's onslaught. The most rain reported was 11.62 inches at Wildwood Crest - just by 8 p.m. Monday - followed by 10.24 in North Wildwood, as measured by spotters, according to the National Weather Service. In Southeastern Pennsylvania, among a smattering of prelimary reports, the high was 4.2 inches measured as of 10 p.m. at Garnet Valley in Delaware County.

An angry Hurricane Sandy landed hard on Philadelphia and its suburbs Monday night, forcing evacuations and closures and frazzling nerves during what authorities said could be a once-in-a-lifetime storm. People across the region listened warily as winds rose to window-rattling intensity and stayed there for long seconds, and rain came down in sheets. Creeks and waterways rose, trees fell, streets closed, and, in places, power died. High winds shut the Schuylkill Expressway, I-95, and other major highways and closed the major bridges across the Delaware River.

On the Jersey Shore, there are generally two kinds of storms: the punishing ones that leave destruction in their wake, and the purifying ones that scour souls as well as beaches. Movies about extreme weather are slightly more varied. On Sunday, after refrigerators were stocked with water, pantries with staples, and flashlights with D batteries, the e-mails started coming in to my inbox: Which movies paired best with a hurricane? Well, exactly what kind of storm are we talking about?

Here's a breakdown of what to expect from Hurricane Sandy, as this "Frankenstorm" rips through the region today. The odds were put at 100 percent that the entire region will get sustained tropical storm force winds today. That means 39 m.p.h. or more - and at the Shore, much more - and these damaging, even devastating winds are likely to last for hours. Atlantic City was expected to have sustained winds of 50 to 60 m.p.h. all afternoon and early evening, with gusts of up to 80 m.p.h.

ST. LOUIS - Carlos Beltran limped to the trainer's room, taking the St. Louis Cardinals' biggest clutch October bat with him. Turns out they had the perfect substitute. Matt Carpenter hit a two-run homer after subbing for Beltran and the Cardinals chased Matt Cain before a 31/2-hour rain delay in the seventh inning of a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night for a 2-1 NL Championship Series lead. Beltran strained his left knee running out a double-play ball in the first inning and the Cardinals said he was day-to-day.

DETROIT - One win from the World Series. Rainy or not, the Detroit Tigers will have to wait. Game 4 of the AL Championship Series between the Tigers and New York Yankees was postponed because of a stormy forecast Wednesday night - although Comerica Park was still dry when the decision was made. "They kept saying it was going to come, and it never came," Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer said. "So go figure. " With the Tigers leading the best-of-seven series, 3-0, and seeking a sweep, Game 4 was rescheduled for Thursday at 4:07 p.m. New York will send ace CC Sabathia to the mound against Scherzer.

DETROIT - Game 4 of the AL Championship Series between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees was postponed by bad weather in the area - although Comerica Park itself was still dry when the game was called. Wednesday night's game was rescheduled for Thursday at 4:07 p.m., when Game 5 was originally slated to be played. Detroit leads the best-of-seven series by three games to none. The first pitch had been scheduled for 8:07 p.m., but shortly before then the crowd was informed of the delay.

A cold front moving through today could bring a half-inch of rain to Philadelphia and its suburbs. Some rain could begin before noon, but the odds in Philadelphia are highest - about 80 percent - this afternoon and early evening. The rain is likeliest along the I-95 corridor and to the east. The Jersey and Delaware shore areas could even see thunderstorms and gusty winds this afternoon and evening. After hitting the low 70s today, highs should dip into the mid 60s Tuesday and Wednesday, then return to the 70s Thursday and Friday, when showers are again possible.

Explore the rain forests of South America at Delaware Museum of Natural History's "Rain Forest Adventure" exhibition through Jan. 6. The exhibition will allow visitors to learn though activities such as becoming a research assistant, wearing a lab coat, and using microscopes and slides to examine bugs from the rain forest, including a blue iridescent butterfly and other creatures. Via video display, families will meet children who live in the rain forest as they discuss the challenges they face.