Apple stores batten down their hatches for Sandy
Like countless East Coast retailers, Apple is bracing for the "storm of the century" by closing and protecting its stores.
Apple is among countless retailers striving to defend their East Coast stores against the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy.
The company has already closed some stores in New York and four other states, as well as in Washington, D.C., and is bracing for potential flooding and other damage, says blog site ifoAppleStore.
At least 35 Apple stores are within the hurricane's landfall zone as predicted by the National Weather Service, ifoAppleStore said, while another 15 are right outside the zone, including those in New York City and areas north of the city.
Apple stores across Manhattan were closed as of Sunday night. But Apple staffers were still busy placing sandbags around the stores to defend against possible flooding. Employees at the city's Fifth Avenue store also wrapped plastic around the display tablets to protect the products from damage.
Stores in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other nearby states reportedly closed early Sunday, while employees were told that they might be closed Monday and Tuesday, according to 9to5Mac. But damage could extend as far north as Canada, where Apple has some stores in and around Toronto.
CNET contacted Apple for comment and will update the story if we receive any information.