Sandy's stormy action was most vividly captured on photo app Instagram and shared real-time with millions around the world.

Appearing at reportedly 10 photos a second during the actual storm, Instagram's pictorial coverage of Hurricane Sandy's assault on the US East Coast was another pointed case of the power of social media.

As of early Wednesday morning, users of the popular photo app had shared more than 521,000 shots under #Sandy. Another 306,000 were tagged #hurricaneSandy while 39,000 tagged #Frankenstorm.

Some tempted fate by heading out during the storm, some snapped the aftermath, others found a lighthearted way to look at the disaster.

The superstorm, which made landfall in New Jersey on Tuesday morning Singapore time, has claimed at least 45 lives and cut power to over 8.2 million homes.

New York City was the hardest hit, and economists believe Sandy has incurred US$10-20 billion in damage.

Click on the slideshow for the best photos we found on Instagram.