Tag: Frankenstorm

The Politics of Devastation

decisionsformyfamily2 Comments

The storm may be gone but the scope of the mess left behind is still not fully realized.  Many areas of the south Jersey shore were allowed to return to the area today although there is still no power in many spots.  For my sister though, no homecoming yet.  Her area is still without power and now is experiencing a sewage issue.  In areas further north no power, water issues and now a shortage of gasoline causing cars to line up for waits not seen in this country since the 1970’s.  Thousands of New Yorkers line up to wait for buses since the subway system is either damaged by flooding or out of power.  

Of course with only a few days left until the presidential election, we can not allow anything to go by without jumping on it for political gain.  The President toured NJ the other day, many reporters referred to it as a “Campaign” stop.  The Mayor of NY has jumped out to use the opportunity to talk about climate change and endorse Obama.  All of this while everyday New Yorkers dumpster dive for food. Areas of Staten Island are still searching home by home looking for missing people.  The Mayor of NY still seems set to make it look like everything is fine and insists that the Marathon scheduled for this weekend will go on as scheduled.  Those New Yorkers living without running water and power are organizing saying they will rush the water stations along the marathon route if it is held, resources would be pulled from the community to ensure the race goes smoothly.  Priorities?

A shore town in my own fine state has turned away power workers who came from as far away as Alabama to help because they are non-union. Really?  Unbelievable.  They should be the last to get power restored!

NBC has rushed to get a “benefit” concert on air tonight.  Maybe I am just a little jaded but if the election was not just a few days away, would there have been such a rush?  Those held for Katrina and 9/11 were not done so quickly.  How many “stars/musicians” will preach to me about global warming and which candidate stands where on the issue?  The answer is none for me I will not be watching nor will the millions on the east coast who have yet to have power restored!

We can argue that there was plenty of warning of the storm and people should have been more prepared, I myself stocked up with 8 cases of water, batteries etc.  But, hindsight is 20/20 and these people are now without power and unable to find assistance.  Why?  I guess their mayor is too busy writing newspaper editorials.

 

So Long Sandy

decisionsformyfamily1 Comment

Well Sandy spared my home any damage but she defiantly left her mark on the state as well as many others.  My sister is still at my house and will be for the near future.  She had minor flooding at her house but the house stands.  Damage does not seem too bad in her neighborhood but they have no electricity nor do they exact it for days and they have banned anyone from returning due to unsafe conditions.  There is major damage due to trees and downed wires.  Many homes have seen severe damage.  There are some areas that have seen total devastation.

For my area life begins to get back to normal tomorrow.  Schools will reopen, Halloween will go on and most roads and business will be as if nothing ever happened.  For others, removing trees from roof tops, filing of insurance claims and for some the realization that everything is gone.

Waiting for Sandy

decisionsformyfamily6 Comments

So everything is battened down.  My sister has arrived.  We have light winds and have had light rain for a few hours but that is it.  The storm is not due to hit until late tomorrow but it is so large that the powers that be are in overdrive with preparation.  Mass Transit will stop running shortly, the Phila airport will cease operations,and  schools have been closed for Monday and Tuesday.  Even my dentist has sent an email announcing they were closed. All of the local televison channels have the special graphics as they cut in for breaking storm information.

What is different about this storm, the reason everyone is taking it seriously, is the consistency and the alarm.  As these storms come in we typically hear about 1 of 6 possible courses it could take and IF it takes this one we could have issues.  This time there were only really 2 courses for several days, one was bad and the other worse and they have been consistent for at least 3-4 days.  I have friends who typically stay in their homes at the shore and hold parties as the storms role in, they have all evacuated.  My house is about 40 miles inland from the ocean yet there is pure panic around as we are also due to be hit by a major storm.  There is not a bottle of water to be found within miles nor can you find bread or milk.  No batteries or even lighters. The  outcome is yet to be seen but I can tell you this, Sandy or “Frankenstorm” is different.

For some reason I had a flashback yesterday of a trip my family took to Disney World when I was about 12.  It was the biggest trip my family had ever taken and the first time I had ever been on a plane.  We arrived in Orlando and found that our luggage went on to Ft. Lauderdale.  They knew exactly what plane it was on and roughly when it would arrive back. They promised my mother that once it arrived they would deliver it to the Hotel.  For the next several hours my mother went on a ranting panic.  What if?  What if never arrived?  What if we did not get our clothes?  She could not afford to buy new clothes.  What if we all got sick from wearing dirty clothes? What it she did not have a clean pair of underware?  I am not making that up!  It actually stuck with her until she passed.  Every once in a while something would happen and someone would toss in, yes and you may not have clean underware.

I sat in the parking lot of Target yesterday after being amazed at the empty shelves thinking thank god she was not around to see this panic because what if it affected her ability to have clean underware.

So we are all closed in here now for god knows how long, both kids, my sister, husband, 2 dogs and a cat.  Thank god we hit the liquor store!