Only yesterday at about 8 I got my internet back; I was without TV/cable until 4 yesterday and the power went out about 6 pm on Monday.
We are in horrible trouble. I'm about 5 miles away from Manhattan; Manhattan and Staten Island were devestated.
There is destruction everywhere, indescribable destruction -- that is more or less permanent, thanks to the surge and the wind and the storm in general.
Scores of homes and businesses and cars and other own-ables are now lost for good.
I can't believe what I saw on TV or the net, once I got my TV and internet back.
A town 5 miles from here is inundated with water; there was a levee that did not hold up; the Hackensack River washed right over it and obliterated the 2 towns in its path.
When you see a Ferris Wheel and a roller coaster swept into the ocean like a tinkertoy, you'd better believe it is very bad.
The terrain is changed -- what is permanent:
The watere level that's there now is there to stay.
This is from the sand and the surge and the storm. IF that beach is gone, it's gone; you can't restore it if you've got water extending far from where the beach's end used to be.
My aunt has a house there. I will bet it is destroyed --- they are 20 feet from the beach and the storm wall that was installed there about 15 years ago meant shit during Irene.
They spent close to a year repairing the damage; they are trying to sell it. That's the end of the house; I can't reach my cousin to find out what's what -- their cell phone service is gone.
There are roads wiped out and there is not much gas available. No power = no gas being pumped and the stations with gas are running out of gas.
There are gas lines, just like the ones in 1973.
How the heck is food supposed to get through to supermarkets, in a case like this? There is plenty of food now but wow, is that going to hold up if the power stays out and trucks can't get through?
There was already looting on Coney Island. Get your asses home and off the damn streets.
I have pages and pages full of info and news about what I saw on the web going on in various towns --- here is a town down the shore with easily 8 feet of sand on the street! There is a photo of a street sign and there is only about 2 feet between the sand and the top of the sign.
I am glad you are ok too. What happened is terrible. I have been worried about my friend that lives in New Jersey. I heard from her a few days ago but I haven't heard from her since Monday night.
I didn't realize you were so close, Tarpon. I'm glad you're okay.
Neon- A good part of NJ is without power. I would assume that she is safe but has a lot to deal with right now. I'm sure she'll get in touch when she can.
There is no gas anywhere. Luckily, deliveries are starting to get through and the stores are able to restock today, so there is some food on the shelves.
There is one gas station in town with gas. Huge line and 3 cop cars. Probably to maintain order.
The only other 2 stations that are open are up on Route 17. And each had a line a quarter of a mile long.
The guv is in Moonachie.
And the pictures are still rolling in. Very bad indeed.
There is supposed to be a kids' art ehxibit this month at the library; I just got done having an exhibit.
I don't have the heart to ask should I take my stuff down; the library is being used for relief efforts only --- FEMA is in the room upstairs where we have the exhibits.
They have their hands full.
I hope the kids have their exhibit. We need something we can look forward to; it'll help the kids, too.
Right, Mags? And where are all these out of town people going to stay? The hotels are full of in town people, either because they are displaced or because their flight has been cancelled 500 times. Ugh. I'm sure it makes much more sense to divert the city's human resources to a road race instead of clean- up, restoration, and security for those that just lost their homes.
I keep wishing there was something I could do besides donate money. I wish I could fly out and help clean up. I don't think I can even fully wrap my mind around how different NJ is now compared with when I left. No matter how many years I've been gone, I think I'll always think of it as home. My heart goes out to everyone in NJ.
Found out that one of my cousins lost both cars, but the water didn't get into the house. Not sure how most of my other relatives are, we haven't been able to get in touch with everyone yet but figure that's probably largely related to the lack of power. My grandma is still without power too, and her 90+ year-old friend is okay but was crying a lot when my grandma talked to her.
And ugh, they should just cancel the damn NYC marathon.
We need something positive to look forward to Ratables will come into the city and so will tourists It costs money to put the marathon on Lots of these athletes have traveled miles and miles to get here, both distance wise and training wise.
We need the Marathon.
The Macy's T-Day Parade is coming up; that won't be cancelled, either.
I have not been able to reach family in Brigantine and Mays Landing. Does anyone know how that area faired? I'm so scared for them. Brigantine is an island just outside of AC.
I cannot reach my cousin in Navesink, either. The cell phone is still out; all I get is a fast busy signal.
Brigantine did not fare well. Most of the Jersey Shore did not make it, so to speak.
Wishing you well -- if you know of a ham radio opeator (or try the net and look for the AARL; that's a ham radio organization) they might be able to help you out. GL.
There's [pages and pages of events and mishaps and other news that I can report on, about the storm.
There is at least 9 feet of sand int he streets in some places. A photograph showed a street covered with sand; there was a street sign there where there was maybe 2 feet between the top and where the sand piled up!
It looks like a kid's sandbox with Matchbox cars thrown into it.
I have not been able to reach family in Brigantine and Mays Landing. Does anyone know how that area faired? I'm so scared for them. Brigantine is an island just outside of AC.
As far as I know, all those islands have been completely evacuated. No one has been allowed to return. I hope your family contacts you soon. They are going to need a lot of love. I'm sorry, Dynamoo.
TM- I have to disagree. Those resources need to be distributed elsewhere right now. By Sunday, it will look like a different picture to a lot of people, but not those that were hit the worst.
Also- there is nowhere for these people to stay right now. Hotels are full past capacity.
I would try to do some more research first. Get on the phone. Call the AC mayor's office. Call around to shelters. The streets are bad. Traffic is bad. Everything is bad.
Thanks guys. Would it be crazy to drive down there? I'm thinking about doing this and asking around for them. If anyone knows Brigantine, everyone knows each other. Really small island so I'm sure people are congregated in shelters/family/friends places and know of each other's well being. I hope. IDK. I have a pit in my stomach. Especially knowing that certain relatives have refused to leave in past storms. Frack.
You may not be permitted in.
The roads in may be impassible.
And I have just heard that the proceeds from the marathon will be going to the Sandy rescue effort/victims.
My bro and I wanted to take a trip in to see my aunt's house. the house is 20 feet from the ocean; its a strong possibility that the house may be destroyed.
I have no idea if you will get through or not, but it's worth a try. They should know if the island was entirely evac'd and what shelters they are using.
Electricity would be something positive. We do not need more people in an area that can not provide for the peoplewho are already here. People are running out of food ....we don't have gas to run generators.... Its cold....we don't have water in some parts and we are going to take 10000 more people into the area?
It is not a good idea for anyone to come to the area...it is horrific. If you get here you may not be able to leave There is no gas to be found. Brigatine had mandatory evacuations and I believe they said everyone left.