Jacob Vogelman, Jessie Streich-Kest Die From Fallen Tree In Ditmas Park, 8 Others Killed In NYC During Hurricane Sandy

Two people were killed by a fallen tree in the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn on Monday night, as the superstorm caused by Hurricane Sandy rolled in over New York City, causing widespread damages.

Councilman Mathieu Eugene identified the victims Jessie Streich-Kest of Newkirk Avenue and college student Jacob Vogelman of First Street, The New York Observer reports. They were both 23-years-old.

NYPD discovered the two at 7:55AM on Tuesday morning after receiving phone calls from nearby residents who found their bodies trapped under the tree.

The two were out walking their dog, Max, who survived and is being treated at an emergency veterinarian hospital.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. death toll rose to 38, including 10 in New York City. According to the Associated Press, three were children.

UPDATE: Mayor Bloomberg now confirms that the death toll in New York City has risen to 18.

Among the dead was a 23-year-old woman who stepped into a puddle near a live electrical wire.

Governor Cuomo said 156 rescue missions were made by New York state and city police.

Nearly 700,000 people are still without power in New York City.