‘We Need Food, We Need Clothing’: Staten Island Residents Plead for Help 3 Days After Sand

[GunnyFreedom]

From Drudge:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/11/were-going-to-die-staten-island-residents-plead-for-help-3-days-after-sandy/

‘We Need Food, We Need Clothing’: Staten Island Residents Plead for Help 3 Days After Sandy


The residents of Staten Island are pleading for help from elected officials, begging for gasoline, food and clothing three days after Sandy slammed the New York City borough.

“We’re going to die! We’re going to freeze! We got 90-year-old people!” Donna Solli told visiting officials. “You don’t understand. You gotta get your trucks down here on the corner now. It’s been three days!”

More at link (http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/11/were-going-to-die-staten-island-residents-plead-for-help-3-days-after-sandy/
)

[MelissaWV]

The temperature is concerning. There are a lot of elderly living in multistory apartment buildings that now have no elevators. They are, in some cases, essentially trapped without heat or any number of other conveniences, or access to food, medication, or communication.

[ninepointfive]

is fema preventing private charity from operating this time around?

[presence]

//

[GunnyFreedom]

The temperature is concerning. There are a lot of elderly living in multistory apartment buildings that now have no elevators. They are, in some cases, essentially trapped without heat or any number of other conveniences, or access to food, medication, or communication.

I agree. Going all "Lord of the Flies" is probably not going to help.

[GunnyFreedom]

is fema preventing private charity from operating this time around?

Rumor has it that Romney tried to bring food, blankets, volunteers, and supplies into the disaster area (I am under no illusions as to the sincerity here) and FEMA told him no, we only want cash. Of course you can't eat cash, but you may be able to burn it for heat....

Sounds about right for government waste.

[presence]

Rumor has it that Romney tried to bring


Its turning into a rally call for the left:


Romney's Hurricane "Relief Effort" Was as Fake as Ryan's Soup Kitchen Photo Op
http://truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/item/17612-romney-s-hurricane-relief-effort-was-as-fake-as-ryan-s-soup-kitchen-photo-op

"Soup, Charity, and the American Way" (a.k.a. What's Wrong with Mitt's Approach to FEMA)
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/30/1152743/--Soup-Charity-and-the-American-Way-a-k-a-What-s-Wrong-with-Mitt-s-Approach-to-FEMA

Austerity before aid.
http://www.knoxviews.com/node/19280

[CrissyNY]

My family is in a hard hit area of Long Island and when I talked to my brother today he said the cops and national guard are everywhere.

There is also a 6pm curfew and the cops tried to order my family to leave their business or be arrested.

I don't know what my dad said to them, but they were allowed to stay.

My brother told me "they won't let us help each other, it's really weird"

Like they had a neighbor with debris piled up and were going to help him move it, but the national guard guys said no, it was they're job.

[Anti Federalist]

My family is in a hard hit area of Long Island and when I talked to my brother today he said the cops and national guard are everywhere.

There is also a 6pm curfew and the cops tried to order my family to leave their business or be arrested.

I don't know what my dad said to them, but they were allowed to stay.

My brother told me "they won't let us help each other, it's really weird"

Like they had a neighbor with debris piled up and were going to help him move it, but the national guard guys said no, it was they're job.

Nothing new there.

Katrina redux.

Won't surprise me to hear reports of cops gunning down people trying to get off the island via the Outerbridge or VZ.

Plenty of cops to hut hut around and enforce curfews and boss people around, but none to rescue old folks freezing in flooded out apartments.

[presence]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MrOMKWm7OA

Bob Marley, Curfew

[MelissaWV]

Nothing new there.

Katrina redux.

Won't surprise me to hear reports of cops gunning down people trying to get off the island via the Outerbridge or VZ.

Plenty of cops to hut hut around and enforce curfews and boss people around, but none to rescue old folks freezing in flooded out apartments.

Whaaaaaaaaa? Did you use the "K" word after that other thread where you went out of your way to say how this was NOTHING like that?

:p

[Pisces]

My family is in a hard hit area of Long Island and when I talked to my brother today he said the cops and national guard are everywhere.

There is also a 6pm curfew and the cops tried to order my family to leave their business or be arrested.

I don't know what my dad said to them, but they were allowed to stay.

My brother told me "they won't let us help each other, it's really weird"

Like they had a neighbor with debris piled up and were going to help him move it, but the national guard guys said no, it was they're job.

That's really strange that they won't let people help their neighbors. After Hurricane Ike in our neighborhood everyone was helping out clearing debris, cooking and sharing their perishable food, etc. Many of the restaurants actually gave away food rather than see it go to waste.

FEMA was in the area giving away water, ice and MRE's from these stations they called "Pods" but if they were all we had to rely on, we'd have been in bad shape. Much of the time, they didn't have what you really needed at the "Pod" so you would 20 minutes in line to get ice only to find that they were out of it. They would still ask you to pop your car's trunk so they could give you a bunch of MRE's. They would insist you take the MRE's even though we already had tons of them and had only really waited in line for ice.

[Anti Federalist]

Whaaaaaaaaa? Did you use the "K" word after that other thread where you went out of your way to say how this was NOTHING like that?

:p

Yah yah yah, so ya caught me in an inconsistency.

The level of destruction is in no way comparable, but the police state's reaction sure as hell is.

[kahless]

Sandy cleanup continues in Connecticut.
http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/16/00/43/3672260/7/628x471.jpg

Members of the National Guard stand at the intersection of Warren Street and Railroad Avenue Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012 in Bridgeport, Conn.
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/slideshow/Sandy-cleanup-continues-in-Connecticut-51465.php#photo-3672260

[Pericles]

Sandy cleanup continues in Connecticut.
http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/16/00/43/3672260/7/628x471.jpg

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/slideshow/Sandy-cleanup-continues-in-Connecticut-51465.php#photo-3672260

Bet that they don't have any ammunition.

[tod evans]

Any time the feds get involved in anything it turns into a clusterfuck.

The locals need to take charge, churches, fire dept., softball team, somebody without a badge and gun who knows the neighborhood.

[Anti Federalist]

Sandy cleanup continues in Connecticut.
http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/16/00/43/3672260/7/628x471.jpg

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/slideshow/Sandy-cleanup-continues-in-Connecticut-51465.php#photo-3672260

Yah, lots of cleaning up getting done there.

[GunnyFreedom]

Sandy cleanup continues in Connecticut.
http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/16/00/43/3672260/7/628x471.jpg

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/slideshow/Sandy-cleanup-continues-in-Connecticut-51465.php#photo-3672260

I am sure this will help matters. :rolleyes:

[GunnyFreedom]

Yah, lots of cleaning up getting done there.

GMTA

[thoughtomator]

3rd day into this and people are already resorting to semi-desperate measures just to eat. NYC is going to get real ugly over the next couple of weeks. They should be trucking in vast quantities of food right now to prevent chaos, and I don't see that happening.

[Pericles]

3rd day into this and people are already resorting to semi-desperate measures just to eat. NYC is going to get real ugly over the next couple of weeks. They should be trucking in vast quantities of food right now to prevent chaos, and I don't see that happening.

Nothing to worry about as nobody is allowed to have guns in order to prevent violence.

[Anti Federalist]

Nothing to worry about as nobody is allowed to have guns in order to prevent violence.

The scoops are on the way.

[Anti Federalist]

GMTA

And when you look at that picture, I see no signs of flooding or damage at all.

[matt0611]

Just imagine this country when things get really bad, this is nothing. Just imagine if we had serious economic crisis, hyperinflation, etc

Sends chills up my spine, this is a good reminder to be prepared, and stay away from cities if at all possible.

[GunnyFreedom]

3rd day into this and people are already resorting to semi-desperate measures just to eat. NYC is going to get real ugly over the next couple of weeks. They should be trucking in vast quantities of food right now to prevent chaos, and I don't see that happening.

all true.

[mad cow]

And when you look at that picture, I see no signs of flooding or damage at all.

That large tree in the background appears to have had all the leaves blown off of it.

[jmdrake]

Nothing new there.

Katrina redux.

Won't surprise me to hear reports of cops gunning down people trying to get off the island via the Outerbridge or VZ.

Plenty of cops to hut hut around and enforce curfews and boss people around, but none to rescue old folks freezing in flooded out apartments.


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4062150873526199969

[UpperDecker]

Its turning into a rally call for the left:


Romney's Hurricane "Relief Effort" Was as Fake as Ryan's Soup Kitchen Photo Op
http://truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/item/17612-romney-s-hurricane-relief-effort-was-as-fake-as-ryan-s-soup-kitchen-photo-op

"Soup, Charity, and the American Way" (a.k.a. What's Wrong with Mitt's Approach to FEMA)
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/30/1152743/--Soup-Charity-and-the-American-Way-a-k-a-What-s-Wrong-with-Mitt-s-Approach-to-FEMA

Austerity before aid.
http://www.knoxviews.com/node/19280

Wow, so this is what this election has finally stooped to? Look, I am not a Romney fan whatsoever but has it really come down to shitting all over him for the way that he donated to the victims of the storm? I swear, I will never understand the liberal mindset. These state-tit sucking, FEMA worshiping idiots drive me nuts.

[pacelli]

I guess all of those PREPPERS are a bit more comfortable during this disaster even though the media has painted them out to be lunatics. Remember that the whole "have 3 days / 72 hours worth of food" was a FEMA guideline. Clearly that is not working out too well.

Anyone else worry that this situation in NYC & NJ is going to escalate?

Does anyone know if UPS/FedEx/US Mail is making deliveries in NJ ?

[XNavyNuke]

Meanwhile, non-unions crews told to cool their heels.

Nonunion Ala. crews turned away from Sandy recovery (http://www.waff.com/story/19981857/some-nonunion-ala-crews-turned-away-from-sandy-recovery)


Crews from Decatur Utilities and Joe Wheeler out of Trinity headed up there this week, but Derrick Moore, one of the Decatur workers, said they were told by crews in New Jersey that they can't do any work there since they're not union employees.

The crews that are in Roanoke, Virginia say they are just watching and waiting even though they originally received a call asking for help from Seaside Heights, New Jersey.

*I see this is a double post. Anyway, the comments by the locals are pretty good.
XNN

[specsaregood]

Does anyone know if UPS/FedEx/US Mail is making deliveries in NJ ?

Yes they are, although I'm sure some areas aren't. Hell, the eye went right by us and we never missed a day without USPS delivery. The mailman was out there delivering our daily allotment of junkmail the day of and after sandy.

[AuH20]

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/anarchy-along-the-jersey-shore-and-on-long-island-in-the-aftermath-of-hurricane-sandy

[ghengis86]

If this isn't a wake up call to get prepared, I dont know what is...

[malkusm]

Apparently, the NYC marathon is going to be held as scheduled on Sunday. Not only that, they are diverting resources which were being used to aid disaster victims in Staten Island and elsewhere, and placing those resources in Central Park for the marathon.

Seriously, could this city be more backward?

[Todd]

If this had happened in the Summer and the emergency response was as poor as Katrina...........Obama would be screwed next week.

[tod evans]

I have a hard time believing that there aren't semi's full of gas and food trying to help these folks.

Why can't they get through?

[AuH20]

http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/shock-72-hours-after-grid-down-starvation-supply-shortages-food-lines-no-clean-water-no-gas-transportation-standstill-independent-reports-pics-and-video_11012012

[CaptUSA]

Anyone else worry that this situation in NYC & NJ is going to escalate?

Yep. And worried that it will spill over. The power restoration efforts are the slowest I've ever seen. Too many of these people are conditioned to wait for someone to take care of them. If the temperatures drop. If the fuel lines are not restored. If the people aren't shown flashy lights on a box in their living rooms to keep them placated soon...

[AuH20]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2226757/SANDY-We-Katrina-Brooklyn-residents-fury-say-help-following-super-storm-directed-Manhattan.html

[kathy88]

Yes they are, although I'm sure some areas aren't. Hell, the eye went right by us and we never missed a day without USPS delivery. The mailman was out there delivering our daily allotment of junkmail the day of and after sandy.

Romney mailers are getting through. Have no fear.

[asurfaholic]

My family is in a hard hit area of Long Island and when I talked to my brother today he said the cops and national guard are everywhere.

There is also a 6pm curfew and the cops tried to order my family to leave their business or be arrested.

I don't know what my dad said to them, but they were allowed to stay.

My brother told me "they won't let us help each other, it's really weird"

Like they had a neighbor with debris piled up and were going to help him move it, but the national guard guys said no, it was they're job.

Wow thats way fucked up.

I remember all the hurricanes ive been thru, it was never like that. The govt is creating the problems when they act like this. People tend to band together and help each other out when stuff like this happens. Preventing that should be a crime. It is disgusting. I hope you city dwellers are learning your lessons... Time to move.

[phill4paul]

Driving around yesterday I noticed several churches with trailers loaded with supplies waiting to roll.

[tod evans]

Driving around yesterday I noticed several churches with trailers loaded with supplies waiting to roll.

Go figure, without appropriate government issued papers they won't be permitted access.

[phill4paul]

Go figure, without appropriate government issued papers they won't be permitted access.

I would say they learned this lesson from Katrina. They were out in full force back then. Afterwards many complaints about getting held up once they arrived in the vicinity. In any event I have an excess of some winter clothes and some little worn shoes and cans of food I can give them.

[tod evans]

I would say they learned this lesson from Katrina. They were out in full force back then. Afterwards many complaints about getting held up once they arrived in the vicinity. In any event I have an excess of some winter clothes and some little worn shoes and cans of food I can give them.

How do you get to "them"?

Something tells me giving stuff to government employees might not turn out so well..

[phill4paul]

How do you get to "them"?

Something tells me giving stuff to government employees might not turn out so well..

Like I said they seem to be waiting for some kind of 'all clear' notice before they drive up there. From my understanding the churches work closely with each other and drop the supplies off up there then come on back. I dunno. I'll ask when I make a donation drop. I just remember many of these trailers had moved out a few days after Katrina but now seem to be waiting as several seemed full and ready to go.

[Elwar]

From Drudge:
‘We Need Food, We Need Clothing’: Staten Island Residents Plead for Help 3 Days After Sandy


Ok...so what happened to these people's clothing?

[AuH20]

Think about this. A category 1 hurricane devastated the "greatest city in the world" sending the denizens into a frenzy in mere hours. This is not an encouraging harbinger.

[kathy88]

I wonder how the dry lit side of the city is faring? I have family on Central Park West. I wonder if people are making their way up there in search of whatever they need.

[foxtrotterz]

Anyone else think this is a social experiment or a dry run to see how the people will react?

[specsaregood]

Think about this. A category 1 hurricane devastated the "greatest city in the world" sending the denizens into a frenzy in mere hours. This is not an encouraging harbinger.

Makes you think how strong the people that have lived for years under the dangers of our bombs really are. I bet they are laughing at us.

[thoughtomator]

Ok...so what happened to these people's clothing?

probably still in their destroyed homes or the surrounding debris field

[malkusm]

Think about this. A category 1 hurricane devastated the "greatest city in the world" sending the denizens into a frenzy in mere hours. This is not an encouraging harbinger.

In all fairness, a 13 foot storm surge is rather atypical of a category 1 hurricane (more akin to a cat 3).

[mike6623]

Yep. And worried that it will spill over. The power restoration efforts are the slowest I've ever seen. Too many of these people are conditioned to wait for someone to take care of them. If the temperatures drop. If the fuel lines are not restored. If the people aren't shown flashy lights on a box in their living rooms to keep them placated soon...
Really? June 29th in Ohio we had a derecho with hurricance force winds, it was 100 degrees and most of just my city had no power for 2 weeks.

[mike6623]

Ok...so what happened to these people's clothing?
Oh I don't know....maybe the fact that maybe their home...including clothes got flooded or completely destroyed?

Did anyone think maybe why some are not allowed to drive into the area is because there are powerlines down everywhere where they cannot be seen? Everything is not a conspiracy. Geeze. I love this forum, but christ I feel like Alex Jones is telling people what to write in here sometimes. People have already died from stepping in puddles with powerlines in them, in which people could not see

[mike6623]

Anyone else think this is a social experiment or a dry run to see how the people will react?

no

[specsaregood]

Oh I don't know....maybe the fact that maybe their home...including clothes got flooded or completely destroyed?

Did anyone think maybe why some are not allowed to drive into the area is because there are powerlines down everywhere where they cannot be seen? Everything is not a conspiracy.

You are incorrect. This is the slowest power restoration I have seen as well, and I've been through a bunch of hurricanes. There was almost no damage, no trees or powerlines down in my area and yet everybody lost power and we didnt' see any signs of any utility trucks until 2 days after it was passed. In FL, where I went through a bunch of hurricanes you saw utility workers all over within hours of the storm passing through, nearly chasing the storm.

I'm not saying it is a conspiracy, just what you get when you have a union-run, socialist inept govt, like NJ.

[Nirvikalpa]

I guess all of those PREPPERS are a bit more comfortable during this disaster even though the media has painted them out to be lunatics. Remember that the whole "have 3 days / 72 hours worth of food" was a FEMA guideline. Clearly that is not working out too well.

Anyone else worry that this situation in NYC & NJ is going to escalate?

Does anyone know if UPS/FedEx/US Mail is making deliveries in NJ ?

yes they are, in certain areas. I just got my internet back. They have been the past 2 days.

The Red Cross is on the ground in staten island now.

[kahless]

You are incorrect. This is the slowest power restoration I have seen as well, and I've been through a bunch of hurricanes. There was almost no damage, no trees or powerlines down in my area and yet everybody lost power and we didnt' see any signs of any utility trucks until 2 days after it was passed. In FL, where I went through a bunch of hurricanes you saw utility workers all over within hours of the storm passing through, nearly chasing the storm.

I'm not saying it is a conspiracy, just what you get when you have a union-run, socialist inept govt, like NJ.

It was very odd. Although we had allot of trees and lines down there was a lack of utility trucks and workers the first few days. Everyone I spoke to noticed it in my area and callers into our local county station were all saying the same thing.

We were speculating here that maybe it has something to do with our power company, Orange and Rockland merging with Con Ed. That before they would take care of our own here in the county but now as part of Con Ed the city - Con Ed areas would take priority.

[mac_hine]

Big Box to the Rescue
Jeffrey Tucker · October 30, 2012

In past natural disasters, it made for interesting reading to see how Home Depot, WalMart, Lowes, and others, swung into action to deliver water, generators, wood, batteries, and so much more, even as FEMA bureaucrats ordered people around and otherwise did very little by way of helping actual people.

With Sandy, I’ve seen far fewer stories of this sort of thing going on, so far. I’ve puzzled why. Did FEMA do a good job this time? Did the big box companies fall down on the job? On the contrary, what happened is something I would not have anticipated. The retailers learned their lessons from past experiences and have figured out how to redirect massive resources to storm preparation in the areas likely to be affected. By acting ahead of time, they were able to get essential goods to consumers before the disaster. This is so advanced that government could not have even thought of it.

The Wall Street Journal reports that WalMart:

staffed up an emergency operations center at its headquarters last Thursday and began routing shipments of goods to 10 disaster distribution centers along the storm’s projected path. As the storm clears, Wal-Mart will dispatch trucks from the disaster warehouses to stores in the areas hit by the storm.

Meanwhile, big box home improvement chains Home Depot, Inc. and Lowe’s Cos. are rolling truckloads of supplies to stores in the storm zone.

Home Depot tells the WSJ’s Banjo that they learned some lessons from their experiences during the East Coast’s last brush with a tropical storm.

The company pre-loaded trucks with supplies and sent the trucks to locations in New Jersey, New York and Maryland before the storm. Last year, when the East Coast was threatened by Hurricane Irene, Home Depot shipped goods to distribution centers as far away as Virginia.

“The big difference is the speed we are able to deliver products to the market,” said Aaron Flowe, president of Home Depot’s Northern Division. “We started sending trucks into stores at 6 a.m. this morning”

Home Depot said it was able to get 1500 truckloads of water, flashlights, generators and other supplies to stores at a much faster pace than it was able to during last year’s Hurricane Irene because of operational changes to how it transported supplies.

Even so, preparations are never perfect, so starting the morning after, the stores deployed more. “Home Depot said it has roughly 100 truckloads of post-storm merchandise out on the roads with about 650 on hand and in the process of moving out,” reports a second piece in the Wall Street Journal. “Lowe’s said hundreds of truckloads of emergency-relief supplies are being distributed to stores across the affected areas.”

Why do the big box stores do this? A cynic would snarl: profit!

Well, profit plays a role for sure. Profits are better than losses. Profits indicate that resources are being used well, that a company is doing the right thing. It is a sign and signal of success. Profit permits companies to pay workers and stockholders. It allows expansion. It confirms that a company is on the right course. All of this is true, but it still doesn’t fully explain the question of why. I have no problem in answering the obvious answer: because it is wonderful to help people. It is even more wonderful to help people in a way that is economically sustainable and progressive. The profit signal shows the way toward helping others and doing the right thing from an economic point of view.
http://lfb.org/blog/big-box-to-the-rescue/

[specsaregood]

It was very odd. Although we had allot of trees and lines down there was a lack of utility trucks and workers the first few days. Everyone I spoke to noticed it in my area and callers into our local county station were all saying the same thing.

We were speculating here that maybe it has something to do with our power company, Orange and Rockland merging with Con Ed. That before they would take care of our own here in the county but now as part of Con Ed the city - Con Ed areas would take priority.

We are PSEG and noticed the same thing. It was a stark difference in response from experiencing hurricanes in the south. and we even went out looking to see where they were and couldn't find any. Heck, the nursing home my MIL manages went 2 days with no power and a couple hundred residents in the 80-100 range before a truck showed up to "assess the situation", once again, no damage near/around them and they were supposedly on the priority list. They finally got it back late last night -- restored by the same georgia crew that restord our power earlier in the day.

[CaptUSA]

They're going to respond to locations with live wires down first. Once those are de-energized, they can move onto priority restoration. Sometimes, you can pick up customers ahead of that just by isolating the outage and throwing a switch. Once you get to actual restoration, emergency services are first, then where you can get the most services easily, then eventually to single services.

The isolation phase of this storm took longer than I've ever seen. Including the derecho. The problem with the derecho was that it knocked out transmission lines not just distribution. I'm not sure the state of transmission in the affect area this time, but I'd imagine it's not in good shape. This is going to be a long road.

[mike6623]

Go figure, without appropriate government issued papers they won't be permitted access.


You are incorrect. This is the slowest power restoration I have seen as well, and I've been through a bunch of hurricanes. There was almost no damage, no trees or powerlines down in my area and yet everybody lost power and we didnt' see any signs of any utility trucks until 2 days after it was passed. In FL, where I went through a bunch of hurricanes you saw utility workers all over within hours of the storm passing through, nearly chasing the storm.

I'm not saying it is a conspiracy, just what you get when you have a union-run, socialist inept govt, like NJ.
So, it has been 4 days. One of the worst hurricanes in that area in a very long time. So, they should all have power back after 4 days? Like I said, we lost it in Ohio for 2 weeks.

[Brian4Liberty]

Meanwhile, non-unions crews told to cool their heels.

Nonunion Ala. crews turned away from Sandy recovery (http://www.waff.com/story/19981857/some-nonunion-ala-crews-turned-away-from-sandy-recovery)


One of the big stories on one of the network morning shows was "beware contractors without proper licenses and permits". Like that is important for cutting up fallen trees and clearing debris. :rolleyes:

[thoughtomator]

I think part of the problem is a deteriorating engineering knowledge base. When we had power out here early in the summer, it took 10 days for them to fully restore power. Now this was a particularly bad storm and it ripped up a lot of stuff, but it seems to me that a delay like that just can't happen unless the skills are simply not available.

Gender studies graduates couldn't fix an electrical break if their lives literally depended on it.

[AuH20]

I live in Nassau County and I believe we have the highest taxes in the nation. Yet 90% of the county is currently without power. I would definitely trade those high taxes and regulations for a slow to nonexistent utlility response, but we get hammered with the "best" of both worlds.

[CaptUSA]

I think part of the problem is a deteriorating engineering knowledge base. When we had power out here early in the summer, it took 10 days for them to fully restore power. Now this was a particularly bad storm and it ripped up a lot of stuff, but it seems to me that a delay like that just can't happen unless the skills are simply not available.

Gender studies graduates couldn't fix an electrical break if their lives literally depended on it.
To be honest... it's fear of lawsuits that slows things down.

Before you can start restoration, you have to make sure any known live wires are de-energized - you know so no one gets fried and their family sues the power company.
Then, once you have all the known lines taken care of, you have to make sure you're not turning power onto a house that is damaged - you know, so they don't sue the power company for burning their house down.
Then, once you have everything isolated and the distribution system is working, all the damaged houses must be inspected by the state - you know, so the power company isn't sued for energizing faulty equipment.

ETA: Oh, and I should throw in all those people who have generators running that don't shut their open their breakers. You know transformers work in the opposite direction as well... Your little household generator can be lethal once the juice is stepped up! Gotta test all the lines for that, too.

[Brian4Liberty]

Just be patient, Central Services will eventually get to you...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teufz17PqoY

[kathy88]

Like above. I read a comment on one of the stories about not letting non-union people in to do the work and some idiot was defending that saying, union guys obviously have the right certifications, etc.....

[specsaregood]

So, it has been 4 days. One of the worst hurricanes in that area in a very long time. So, they should all have power back after 4 days? Like I said, we lost it in Ohio for 2 weeks.

You can believe what you want and I've gone for weeks without power from hurricanes and ice storms.
But what I'm telling you from experience and others are also saying is that the response was delayed much longer than other places that went through hurricanes. I've seen quick responses and this was not an example.

On the derecho, how much warning did you get? did you have a week where you knew it was gonna hit and could prepare or at least plan?

[kathy88]

This might be a great opportunity to chip people.

[AuH20]

Actually I was wrong. Westchester edges out Nassau:


Top 15 Counties in Median Real Estate Taxes Paid, 2010

1. Westchester County, New York: $9,003

2. Nassau County, New York: $8,711

3. Hunterdon County, New Jersey: $8,523

4. Bergen County, New Jersey: $8,489

5. Rockland County, New York: $8,268

6. Essex County, New Jersey: $8,117

7. Somerset County, New Jersey: $7,801

8. Morris County, New Jersey : $7,707

9. Passaic County, New Jersey: $7,544

10. Union County, New Jersey: $7,443

11. Putnam County, New York: $ 7,331

12. Suffolk County, New York: $7,192

13. Monmouth County, New Jersey: $6,917

14. Hudson County, New Jersey: $6,426

15. Lake County, Illinois: $6,285

Source: American Community Survey

If I hear another dumb blonde blather to me that this is the price we pay for great schools and services, I'm going to put a bullet in my head. lol How is that working for you today, lady??

[mike6623]

You can believe what you want and I've gone for weeks without power from hurricanes and ice storms.
But what I'm telling you from experience and others are also saying is that the response was delayed much longer than other places that went through hurricanes. I've seen quick responses and this was not an example.

On the derecho, how much warning did you get? did you have a week where you knew it was gonna hit and could prepare or at least plan?
I realize that hurricans and ice storms are a lot worse, but even with the warning they received, it still will take time to restore power to that many. Not saying it is happening as fast as it could, but it is a little too early in my opinion to say it is too slow, but if Romney wins, better believe this will all be his fault.

[Nirvikalpa]

Actually I was wrong. Westchester edges out Nassau:



If I hear another dumb blonde blather to me that this is the price we pay for great schools and services, I'm going to put a bullet in my head. lol How is that working for you today, lady??

Dude, I am top 10 on that list and we have some of the shittiest schools in the state. :p

[AuH20]

Dude, I am top 10 on that list and we have some of the shittiest schools in the state. :p

More is less. :)

[AuH20]

this guy is a moron, but 15 years, if he is sentenced to the maximum?!?

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/02/14879329-cops-new-york-man-pulls-pistol-after-cutting-in-line-for-gas?lite

[AuH20]

everything is fine, up here in the civilized northeast. :)

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/02/bridgeport-utility-workers-report-having-objects-thrown-at-them-by-residents/#ixzz2B5Gwdnxu


Angry residents pelted utility crews with eggs as they tried to restore power in Bridgeport, Conn., after the mayor claimed the local power company had "shortchanged" the state's largest city as it tries to recover from superstorm Sandy.

United Illuminating workers reported eggs and other objects being thrown at them a day after Mayor Bill Finch said the utility was taking care of wealthy suburbs while his constituents suffered. The unrest caused United Illuminating to pull its workers out until the city agreed to provide police protection.

"Citizens began throwing things at the crews," Michael West, a spokesman for United Illuminating, told FoxNews.com. "It started to get pretty hairy. They did not feel safe."

West said it started with verbal abuse and escalated.


"It started to get pretty hairy. They did not feel safe."
- Michael West, spokesman for United Illuminating

"We communicated with the city and said if you don’t provide police support, we can't have our crews there in harm's way," he said.

[Athan]

You know this all reminds me of that one black fire fighter on that show "Doomsday Preppers". I wonder how he is doing and how he isn't looking that crazy anymore to his neighbors. Probably at home eating a normal meal all relaxed and ready for action.

I hope FEMA doesn't attack him because he prepped.

[phill4paul]

You know this all reminds me of that one black fire fighter on that show "Doomsday Preppers". I wonder how he is doing and how he isn't looking that crazy anymore to his neighbors. Probably at home eating a normal meal all relaxed and ready for action.

I hope FEMA doesn't attack him because he prepped.

would be interesting to see that show revisit him.

[AuH20]

Watch your step..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reUi7ncHduQ


so much for the frontier mentality..

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2012/11/02/Staten-Island-Resident-Confronts-Chuck-Schumer-We-Are-Gonna-Die

[twomp]

I agree with a lot of the people here but of the comments in this thread are stupid as hell. Yes, this must be a government created Hurricane used as a test run to see how people react. And yes these people suffering now must be from the left/democrats because Republicans don't ask for help and would have found a way to stop the Hurricane from doing so much damage.

Some of you here fail to grasp that sometimes SHIT happens and people need assistance. WTF is wrong with some of you.

[lx43]

If there wasn't laws against price gouging I'd buy 20,000 gallons of gasoline to take up to the needed areas and charge $7.00 to $8.00 a gallon to make a descent profit and I would take the generators I own up there to sale for several times what I paid for them. Yes I know I'm evil for even thinking about making a profit at a time like this off of people in the storm ravaged north but if there wasn't laws against price gouging you would quickly see the mile long gas lines disappear with people coming in to feel the gasoline/power needs of the people. Also the profits incentive would quickly disappear as the supply increase and demand returns to normal over the coming weeks.

[Barrex]

Makes you think how strong the people that have lived for years under the dangers of our bombs really are. I bet they are laughing at us.

I am not laughing but..... I thought that Americans are "soft" before... now I think they are waaay beyond "soft". Its been only few days and the things I see in news and over web are simply unbelievable to me. I am sorry that you went through that... I guess I feel a little bit like ants felt in that story about ants and cricket. It took only few days for your society to collapse and what is worse you (people) knew that this is coming. This is harsh but my evil brain thinks: sheeps. What did those people do before storm? They didnt run away and they obviously didnt prepared them self? I simply don get it. How much a fucking failiure father you are if you let your family starve after just 3 days after disaster you nwe it was coming? I cant even begin to comprehend what the hell is going on there. How people could allow them selfs to become so unprepared and... Ill stop I realzed that this is emotional for you and I dont want to insult people.


People that bash Red Cross I dont understand either. Red Cross doesnt have teleporters.

I believe this disaster will get more people to become second amendment supporters. "You dont need guns government will protect you" phrase meets reality. Same will happen with "nanny state" and a lot of stuff like that.

[Seraphim]

3 days and they panic. Welcome to Boobus Land.

[malkusm]

I simply don get it. How much a fucking failiure father you are if you let your family starve after just 3 days after disaster you nwe it was coming? I cant even begin to comprehend what the hell is going on there. How people could allow them selfs to become so unprepared and... Ill stop I realzed that this is emotional for you and I dont want to insult people.

I understand what you're saying, and it's one thing if you just didn't prepare and ran out of food. But if your house looks like this, I don't think it matters how much you prepared beforehand:

http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr04/2012/11/1/13/enhanced-buzz-27324-1351790950-5.jpg

http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr04/2012/11/1/13/enhanced-buzz-27994-1351791013-2.jpg

http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr04/2012/11/1/14/enhanced-buzz-32681-1351793189-0.jpg

[Demigod]

http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr04/2012/11/1/13/enhanced-buzz-27324-1351790950-5.jpg

http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr04/2012/11/1/13/enhanced-buzz-27994-1351791013-2.jpg

http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr04/2012/11/1/14/enhanced-buzz-32681-1351793189-0.jpg


When I see houses made out of drywall and boards it always reminds me of the story about the 3 pigs and the wolf.

[HOLLYWOOD]

The rectangular Zombification(yea, I made it up) Box aka TV... has turned people's minds to mush.

Then again, I'm speaking from the view point of all the survival and post nuclear apocalypse schooling I was trained to live through.

Check this out: http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2012/11/restaurants-will-trade-food-for-gas.html


Restaurants Turn to Bartering Food for Gasoline


11/2/12 at 1:25 PM


http://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/daily/grub/2012/11/02/02-mad-max-poster.o.jpg/a_250x375.jpg
We need Tina Turner.Photo: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_Beyond_Thunderdome)

"I'm almost out of gas and it's like Mad Max out there," says King Phojanakong, who owns the restaurants Umi Nom (http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/umi-nom/) in Bed-Stuy and Kuma Inn (http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/kuma-inn/) in the LES, which is temporarily closed (http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2012/11/how-new-york-chefs-are-dealing-with-sandy-damage.html). Because the trains aren't running, Phojanakong has been picking up and dropping off his employees since Tuesday, starting in Woodhaven and Inwood and ending at his Bed-Stuy restaurant.

There may be millions of gallons docking right now (https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo/status/264387133211549696), but the pumps are empty and gas stations have attracted both long lines and confrontations (http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/11/good-luck-getting-gas-new-york-new-jersey.html). So while he can still do business and afford to pay his employees, Phojanakong says he will consider bartering meals for gas.
He isn't the only one. While the Red Hook Lobster Pound (http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/red-hook-lobster-pound/), which lost of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and equipment, put out a call for gasoline while the cleanup continues (https://twitter.com/Redhooklobster/status/264356726504030208), at Bubby's (http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/bubbys/) in Tribeca, owner Ron Silver has taken to Twitter to set his terms. "We are in need of six gallons of gas in order to keep serving food tomorrow," Silver wrote yesterday (https://twitter.com/bubbys/status/264197533885161473), seeking to keep his generators, and the restaurant, powered in exchange for pies and pancakes. One of the restaurant's supporters has even been checking in at fuel pumps in Harlem, but no one has been successful (https://twitter.com/bubbys/status/264343547644358656).
Good Luck Getting Gas in New York and New Jersey (http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/11/good-luck-getting-gas-new-york-new-jersey.html) [Daily Intel]

Related: Coping When They Should Be Cooking: The Impressive Resolve of New York’s Hard-Hit Chefs (http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2012/11/how-new-york-chefs-are-dealing-with-sandy-damage.html)

[Barrex]

I understand what you're saying, and it's one thing if you just didn't prepare and ran out of food. But if your house looks like this, I don't think it matters how much you prepared beforehand:

It matters.

My whole country looked worsethan that after a week. What is the percentge of houses being destroyed in devastated area?






When I see houses made out of drywall and boards it always reminds me of the story about the 3 pigs and the wolf.



Totally agree.



P.s.



What is that writing in your signature?

[Lucille]

I truly hope this a lesson for people to prepare for things like this, and not rely on the govt empty promises. For all the wealth its stolen, you'd think things wouldn't be this bad so many days later.


When I see houses made out of drywall and boards it always reminds me of the story about the 3 pigs and the wolf.

They say hemp makes a great brick. Too bad the fedgov banned it, and you need to get a special permit to build with it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il7yw0JFs5c

[Brian4Liberty]

Watch your step..

so much for the frontier mentality..

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2012/11/02/Staten-Island-Resident-Confronts-Chuck-Schumer-We-Are-Gonna-Die

Yep, going without power is one thing. When the plumbing goes though, it's a bad situation.

Are there a lot of places where the water is off right now?

[Tpoints]

In a city as prosperous as NY can be so fragile in ONE hurricane, in LESS THAN ONE WEEK. Why do we have idiots asking us "what's a few degrees hotter gonna matter (long term)" when it comes to climate change?

[tod evans]

Yep, going without power is one thing. When the plumbing goes though, it's a bad situation.

Are there a lot of places where the water is off right now?

You'd think even city dwellers understand toilets take water to flush...

[Lucille]

In a city as prosperous as NY can be so fragile in ONE hurricane, in LESS THAN ONE WEEK. Why do we have idiots asking us "what's a few degrees hotter gonna matter (long term)" when it comes to climate change?

It’s Official: No Global Warming Since 1997
http://blog.independent.org/2012/10/27/its-official-no-global-warming-since-1997/


The Daily Mail of London has reported that despite its support for global warming alarmism, Britain’s National Weather Service (U.K. Met Office) has quietly unveiled a report admitting that there has been no warming from January 1997 through August 2012. (Here also are the data sets for the report as well as an analysis from the Global Policy Warming Foundation of the findings.)

[jclay2]

I hope this is a good reminder and lesson for those not affected to get prepared!!!!

[Tpoints]

It’s Official: No Global Warming Since 1997
http://blog.independent.org/2012/10/27/its-official-no-global-warming-since-1997/

the writers of that article clearly didn't read the article they are point at, which ends with.

So let’s be clear. Yes: global warming is real, and some of it at least has been caused by the CO2 emitted by fossil fuels. But the evidence is beginning to suggest that it may be happening much slower than the catastrophists have claimed – a conclusion with enormous policy implications.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217286/Global-warming-stopped-16-years-ago-reveals-Met-Office-report-quietly-released--chart-prove-it.html#ixzz2B7C3aSyg
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[Anti Federalist]

In a city as prosperous as NY can be so fragile in ONE hurricane, in LESS THAN ONE WEEK. Why do we have idiots asking us "what's a few degrees hotter gonna matter (long term)" when it comes to climate change?

Meh.

The climate changes with or without us.

Where I'm sitting right now was under 30 feet of ice 100,000 years ago.

And 100,000 years, geologically, is a blink of an eye.

Giving up more freedom and control to world government sure isn't gonna stop it.

[Tpoints]

Meh.

The climate changes with or without us.

Where I'm sitting right now was under 30 feet of ice 100,000 years ago.

And 100,000 years, geologically, is a blink of an eye.

Giving up more freedom and control to world government sure isn't gonna stop it.

forget about stopping it, how about being prepared for it? And I don't care how time is geologically, I only get to live another 40 years.

[jtstellar]

you all know how Tienanmen Square happened right.. the local military was giving concerns to higher ups who gave orders that they wouldn't be willing to open fire on locals and neighbors, so they brought in troops from out of state/province in the case of china (think federal military) and they basically got the things rolling and got blood into the streets.. when people say they have confidence military won't open fire on american people i actually believe there is that potential for the federal force, whereas if you talk about local armed forces, i might believe in those reservations. you can tell by how federal forces came in and were more worried about photo-ops and their image, helping obama weeks from election, rather than letting locals help each other. from the first few posts of this thread from locals you can clearly tell this is the case. this is why they ordered locals not to help each other but instead let fema and the guards handle it