The US is marking one year since Superstorm Sandy hit the US east coast, killing at least 117 people.

According to reports, Sandy was the most destructive storm in the US since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

On Monday, historical immigration landmark Ellis Island reopened for the first time since the storm flooded low-lying areas in New York City.

But many communities are still struggling to rebuild amid complaints emergency funds have failed to reach the hardest-hit.

Federal officials have unveiled plans for a second round of disaster relief amounting to $5bn for five states and New York City, and they pledged that the pace of spending would pick up after a slow start.

"In year one, we all agreed the aid flowed too slowly," Senator Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, told reporters.

The damage caused by Superstorm Sandy is still visible along the shoreline

Meanwhile, homes in Oakwood Beach, Staten Island, have been bought out under a state programme that promises to turn neighbourhoods wrecked by Superstorm Sandy into perpetual green space.

Events are being held to mark the anniversary of the storm, including a state-wide prayer service in New Jersey.

Report said the storm also killed scores of people as it swept across the Caribbean and millions of people were forced to flee their homes.