NY Stock Exchange closes trading floor as Sandy approaches

NYSE Euronext has decided to "suspend physical trading floor operations" and will "trade all NYSE-listed securities on NYSE Arca, the company's fully electronic exchange," a statement said Sunday.

The approaching storm has New York City on high alert, with Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordering evacuations in some areas and shutting down public transport Monday, including the subway.

The world's largest stock exchange said it would make an announcement at a later time as to how long Wall Street will remain shuttered.

"The re-opening of physical trading floor operations is subject to city and state determinations and local conditions; Updates will be forthcoming," the NYSE said in its statement.

It said the decision to close down all but its electronic operations was made in response to "actions taken by New York City and state officials to declare a state of emergency, suspend local New York City transportation beginning this evening, and issue evacuations orders in the proximity of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) building."

Manhattan's Battery Park City near Wall Street is among the at-risk zones under a mandatory evacuation order, with officials urging residents to seek accommodations inland or to shelter in one of more than 70 schools and other buildings serving as emergency shelters.

With the weather expected to worsen rapidly, New York authorities have ordered 1,100 national guard troops into the state, including 200 who will patrol Manhattan streets and 300 in threatened Long Island districts.

Hurricane Sandy was on target to collide with a cold front bearing down from the north, creating what meteorologists have named a "Frankenstorm" which threaten to bring floods, high winds and even heavy snow across many eastern US states.