My Internet Service has been spotty at best. I'm one of the lucky ones. The south and north shores of Long Island, north shore of Queens and south shore of Brooklyn have been hammered really bad. Just Google Breezy Point, Queens or Long Beach, Long Island. They have become symbolic examples of how much of the shoreline has been destroyed. Last year, with hurricane Irene, there was a famous video of the Lifeguard booth being tossed around by waves which had overran the entire beach and pounded the booth into the Boardwalk. But the booth survived and was eventually put back when the hurricane passed. This time around that booth...is gone.
Some people are still cut off from receiving help. Then on the other side I see friends and family posting on Facebook that they have electricity and their neighborhood is slowly coming back to normal. Having grown up in New York City and now living on Long Island and having a wide swath of friends and family in both areas - I cannot and do not feel the cause to celebrate that my house only suffered and still suffers only a loss of power. As far as I'm concerned this entire area is one big neighborhood. Everyone knows someone somewhere.
Power us being restored in certain areas. Some quicker than others. That's normal. But out here on Long Island there is a definite issue with had shortage. Tankers are slow to come in via ports or the hammered tunnels and bridges. Many gas stations on Long Island don't even have electricity to pump the gas. All of this is adding up to a gas shortage. No gas for cars. No gas for generators. 24 hours after the "love and unifying neighborly feelings" is being replaced by "I'm getting my gas - screw you!" Close neighbors and extended friends are all checking in and helping, but out side of that...it's getting very spicy.
This was the plan in case of disaster? This was the prescription for help the ones who do survive the immediate disaster survive? Generators are being stolen from homes. Stores and evacuated homes are being looted. Most traffic lights still out. Tons of cars on the streets. The sounds of police and ambulance sirens passing through your town all day and night.
And now your waiting up to two or more hours for gas? This is a prescription for secondary disasters taking effect. Long Island has been pushed back into the late 19th century and parts of NYC has been pushed back into the 16th century. We are on a precipice. We are being taught a lesson. There is a divide. The haves and the have nots. Or the haves and the completely cut offs. How can the Mayor of NYC even contemplate hosting the NYC marathon this Sunday? Who in NYC is going to watch or volunteer to help?
I hope those who can read this and live outside the 18 states can help voice your opinions to the Mayor of NYC. I hope you can make a small donation down the road to help those here who are in desperate need. My mother and sister live in Lower Manhattan and are completely cut off from power and supplies. And according to the news reports, they may continue to be cut off for up to an additional week. They live 13 stories up and my mother is an amputee. I have not heard from them since Tuesday.
If this was the plan we came up with after Katrina...then we need a better plan.
Some people are still cut off from receiving help. Then on the other side I see friends and family posting on Facebook that they have electricity and their neighborhood is slowly coming back to normal. Having grown up in New York City and now living on Long Island and having a wide swath of friends and family in both areas - I cannot and do not feel the cause to celebrate that my house only suffered and still suffers only a loss of power. As far as I'm concerned this entire area is one big neighborhood. Everyone knows someone somewhere.
Power us being restored in certain areas. Some quicker than others. That's normal. But out here on Long Island there is a definite issue with had shortage. Tankers are slow to come in via ports or the hammered tunnels and bridges. Many gas stations on Long Island don't even have electricity to pump the gas. All of this is adding up to a gas shortage. No gas for cars. No gas for generators. 24 hours after the "love and unifying neighborly feelings" is being replaced by "I'm getting my gas - screw you!" Close neighbors and extended friends are all checking in and helping, but out side of that...it's getting very spicy.
This was the plan in case of disaster? This was the prescription for help the ones who do survive the immediate disaster survive? Generators are being stolen from homes. Stores and evacuated homes are being looted. Most traffic lights still out. Tons of cars on the streets. The sounds of police and ambulance sirens passing through your town all day and night.
And now your waiting up to two or more hours for gas? This is a prescription for secondary disasters taking effect. Long Island has been pushed back into the late 19th century and parts of NYC has been pushed back into the 16th century. We are on a precipice. We are being taught a lesson. There is a divide. The haves and the have nots. Or the haves and the completely cut offs. How can the Mayor of NYC even contemplate hosting the NYC marathon this Sunday? Who in NYC is going to watch or volunteer to help?
I hope those who can read this and live outside the 18 states can help voice your opinions to the Mayor of NYC. I hope you can make a small donation down the road to help those here who are in desperate need. My mother and sister live in Lower Manhattan and are completely cut off from power and supplies. And according to the news reports, they may continue to be cut off for up to an additional week. They live 13 stories up and my mother is an amputee. I have not heard from them since Tuesday.
If this was the plan we came up with after Katrina...then we need a better plan.
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