States along the East Coast were pummeled by post-tropical storm Sandy on Monday as it approached and then struck land.

It officially moved ashore along the coast of southern New Jersey, but the large storm is affecting a much wider area.

By Monday night, more than 2.8 million customers were without power across 11 states and the District of Columbia, according to the latest CNN estimate.

Here's a look at how coastal states are dealing with the storm:

CONNECTICUT

Gov. Dan Malloy said authorities are worried about high tides -- particular the one at midnight Monday, which could be up to 11 feet above the normal high tide and "has the potential to cause unprecedented damage."

"The potential loss of life and loss of property in Connecticut, if these numbers are hit, will be extremely high," he said. "This is the most catastrophic event that we have faced and been able to plan for in any of our lifetimes. And we continue to do anything in our power to be ready."

Due to dangerous driving conditions, all state highways were closed to nonemergency vehicles starting at 1 p.m. Monday, the governor said in a statement.

President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency for Connecticut.

DELAWARE

Parts of the Delaware coast have experienced significant flooding.

By early Monday, the National Guard and local authorities were responding to residents who did not evacuate and "need to be rescued from flooding," Gov. Jack Markell said in a Twitter post.

Markell ordered the evacuation of all coastal communities and a flood-prone area in southern Delaware.

Shelters opened beginning Sunday afternoon to accommodate those who have left their homes but have nowhere else to go. Statewide, 500 people spent the night in five shelters, Markell said Monday.

"The biggest concerns, the rain and the wind together make driving conditions absolutely miserable, so we put in a driving restriction today," he said.

The restrictions mean only "essential personnel," such as core government employees and those who provide health care services, should be driving.

Obama declared a state of emergency in the state Monday, the White House said.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

The city's mass transit system, known as the Metro, stayed idle Monday.

All Washington public schools were closed Monday, Mayor Vincent Gray announced. "The district is preparing in earnest" for the storm's effects, which could include heavy rain, street flooding, strong winds, power outages and storm-surge flooding along the Potomac River and its tributaries, Gray said.

All federal buildings were closed to the public Monday, and will be Tuesday as well.

Obama declared a state of emergency in the District of Columbia on Sunday.

MAINE

The Maine Emergency Management Agency warned Sandy could create "significant problems" such as high surf, fierce winds and coastal erosion.

Flooding is also possible in areas where rain is heaviest, emergency officials said.