The Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy is devastating to say the least! I been glued to my chair since the Hurricane was heading up our way on the East Coast. It hit New Jersey and New York on October 29th with winds that knocked down several trees at once in many areas, knocking down power lines and causing power outages - which looked like a "black out." The storm surge which caused massive flooding, to the point where high-rise buildings in the NYC area were in 6-9 feet of water; completely submerged basements and water rising to first floor apartments. Homes floated out to sea and/or winds that relocated homes to another area. Shores lines no longer existed in the Jersey Shore, Far Rockaway, Coney Island and other bay areas - not to mention Atlantic City swallowed in water. In one area in Queens - Breezy Point, after flooding began and while the water/ storm surges began to rise > power lines went down and caused a massive fire that spread to 111 homes! It is just pictures after photos with horrifying scenes of an apocalyptic nature. Temporary shelters had to be evacuated because of additional flooding and/or lack of power; not to mention hospitals had to be evacuated as well because of these same concerns, with back-up generators failing due to the floods.
In these days after the Hurricane, it is just as chaotic. MTA put up a contingency plan that allowed buses to bring riders/customers to and from the city - for free; which resulted in lines of an hour or more. In a few days after the MTA transit plan, there is now a gas shortage, but not entirely. The gasoline stations have no electricity to pump fuel into vehicles and the ones that did have gas, ran out quickly because people were using the gas to fuel their generators. The shortage of gas came when fuel trucks had no way to enter the two states (NJ/NY) by land or sea. The harbors that would receive fuel/gas by sea, were closed because of potential dangers and a lack of a shore-line. Then came the weather conditions with plummeting temperatures around 30 degrees, which can cause hypothermia especially in a home without power, heat or hot water.
In the meantime, residents of NY & NJ screaming and crying for HELP! They ALL needed assistance with food, water, and shelter - our basic necessities. Some residents saying they have not had food or water for days; not to mention the power outages which are said to last an additional week or two, already without power/electricity for a week. A lack of power/ electricity meant food spoiling in the refrigerator, no gas to cook, no water to bathe or drink, and no heat with the temperatures going down to below 30 degrees. The homes that were flooded were completely destroyed! Installation had to be removed because of the molding , sheet-rock crumbling because of the dampness, and non-perishable food items had to be thrown away as well, as no clothing to keep warm - everything has to be thrown out. Another important factor, debris everywhere has to be removed which are blocking people's homes and roadways/streets.
Although the Red Cross has been providing food, water and clothing - there are not enough volunteers to go around to distribute these items to so many areas at once. FEMA also have been going to these devastated areas to help with financial assistance because so many people have to be relocated and find temporary shelter for probably several months.
It is hard to imagine this total devastation and to see these areas by media footage does not serve it justice! I however, are one of the "lucky" few that remained with power, electricity/gas, heat, water, food and TV! This is the one time in our life where we as a nation of people need to display our ultimate sacrifice of humanity by helping one another and donating - either money, time, or food/clothing items.
I truly pray for the victims of Hurricane Sandy and all the affected people during this Aftermath ...
I did Steve - Thanks!
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