Sandy Survivor From Long Island Wins $33 Million Mega Millions Jackpot
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It looks like the lotto dream has come true for one Sandy survivor.
A Nassau County resident who survived the storm will be presented with a $33 million check on Thursday after winning the Mega Millions jackpot in the Nov. 2 drawing, New York Lottery officials said.
The winning ticket was purchased in Mineola.
Other winners from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Suffolk County will each get a check for a million dollars.
Meanwhile, lottery fever has been heating up in the Tri-State area ahead of Wednesday's Powerball drawing.
The jackpot has risen to $550 million and could grow before the day is done. The prize is the second highest in lottery history.
Sandy survivors have been buying tickets for the big drawing, hoping to catch a break.
Residents in Little Ferry, N.J., who were hit hard by Superstorm Sandy, said winning the jackpot would help their town rebuild.
"We had no Thanksgiving and now no Christmas," said Diane Ruff. "I have no walls, no rugs, no nothing. No furniture. I've been sitting on Home Depot chairs."
Phil Dittmar purchased five more tickets than usual, with big plans if he hits the jackpot.
"I want to take care of the people in Little Ferry. I would make a donation of at least 25 percent of my winnings to the town," he said.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 175 million.
