NY governor: Stormproof power systems post-Sandy

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo is stressing the need to fortify New York's power and telecommunication systems after Superstorm Sandy in his annual State of the State.

The November storm damaged or destroyed 305,000 housing units in New York and more than 265,000 businesses were disrupted in the state. More than 2 million customers lost power.

Cuomo said Wednesday that New York customers cannot afford to face catastrophic power losses every few years when powerful storms hit.

Cuomo has named a series of commission to look at infrastructure issues and is seeking federal funding to upgrade systems.