SUPERSTORM SANDY WILL NOT CRUSH OUR SPIRITS

SUPERSTORM SANDY WILL NOT CRUSH OUR SPIRITS

By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger

Photographer: George Whylie

Videographer: Maxine Nolan

 

Residents of the Northeast are still trying to free themselves from beneath the wrath and fury that Superstorm Sandy bestowed upon them.

It can be said that there is resilience in our hearts, more so in tragic situations, and it has never been more evident than in these last couple of weeks.

It is almost unimaginable to see the destruction and despair left behind in Sandy’s path.  Her winds were clocked at over 100 mph in some areas, seas peaked over 20 feet , sometimes higher and torrential rainfall brought damaging flooding.  While we try to understand the weather “why’s”, cities and towns across the Northeast are looking at what it is going to take to rebuild.

The New York Subway System was paralyzed and is still working towards some sort of normalcy.  Areas of New York and New Jersey were buried beneath feet of water.  Atlantic City, a city once the heart of gambling and entertainment as well as bright lights and a top vacation destination for many, is dark with little left standing on the famous boardwalk to remember it by.

Portions of Rockaways, New York, were burned to the ground with possessions becoming little more than ashes.  Where we always admire trees for their beauty and expansive shade that they deliver, they now served as killing objects falling on people’s houses and cars and crushing instantly.

Staten Island felt forgotten as they waited for a sign that help was soon on the way.  Many are still cold and lost trying to make sense of the drastic situation.

Power crews have been arriving from other parts of the nation and have been working non-stop to try and restore power to areas still living in total darkness and trying to survive in bitter cold temperatures.

The Statue of Liberty only just lit up again yesterday after taking the brunt of Sandy’s anger as it guarded New York City.

Patience has been at a minimum and long lines have become the norm rather than the exception these days.  Whereas at one time gas was a taken for granted necessity, New Yorkers are now being put on an odd/even gas rationing program to combat the gas shortages that are a direct result of Superstorm Sandy.  It isn’t easy to put up with heated tempers, unending lines of vehicles and the panic of running out at the most inopportune time.  Only one-third of the city’s gas stations have reopened to add more problems to the already tough heartache brought on by this savage storm.

At this time there are still over 400,000 customers without power in New Jersey and New York.  Long Island is grappling with trying to get electricity up and running to all parts of the Island.

As residents head back to their homes or what is left of their homes, memories are a reminder of the material belongings that lie in rubble.

But we are a nation undivided and in time of need, we unite even stronger.  Donations are pouring in from across the country and the American Red Cross has created  its largest U.S. relief effort since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.  Concerts are being held to raise money to benefit the storm victims.  President Obama has been monitoring the situation and surveyed the damage first-hand.  He has promised immediate federal aid and it was just announced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg that a FEMA-funded rapid reconstruction program will begin in New York City and will be called ‘New York City Rapid Repair’.

It has been recorded that over $50 billion in damage has been the result of this massive storm and as of November 5th, the death toll from Superstorm Sandy stood at 49 in New York, 24 in New Jersey and 5 in Connecticut.  More deaths were reported in the Caribbean as Sandy began her long and treacherous trek up the Eastern seaboard.

As if all of this has not been enough, another cold and bitter storm hit the New York/New Jersey area in the last couple of days putting some back in darkness.   The weather is expected to get a bit better in the coming days but the bigger question on most minds is how to protect New York City against future storms of Sandy’s magnitude or even worse.  It is already a top priority topic amongst local and state leaders as they solicit the assistance of the scientific community.

All the areas affected, whether large or small, are in our thoughts and prayers and we take solace in the fact that America’s spirits are not easily dampened.

PHOTO CREDITS:  Reuters and A/P