Susan's Perspective on Superstorm Sandy

This e-mail may be more stream of consciousness than anything else but I'll do my best to organize my thoughts.  I'll also include video links where I can.

• Citizens did not follow the mandatory evacuation order because 
  • When they evacuated for Irene, they found that the places to which they evacuated were hit hard whereas the homes they left behind were fine.
  • Many residents live in highrises and feel that as long as the water doesn't reach their apartment, they'll be safe.  They stock up on batteries, food, water, and medication for a few days but not enough to sustain them for over a week without power.
  • Folks living in houses figured that if things got really bad, they could flee at the last minute.  They did not expect the water to flow in in such a violent fashion nor did they expect the water levels to rise as quickly nor as high as they did.  A friend of mine thought she was prepared because parked her car in her driveway facing outward.  I haven't been able to speak with her since Monday morning, but my guess is that her car is totaled and possibly has floated away.
• Immediate concern was lack of communication with power outages and compromised cell phone service; communities with their own power grids were back on line quickly (or didn't go down at all)
• Greatest concerns now are natural gas leaks and dropping temperatures.
• Desire to maintain sense of normalcy and get back to work ASAP
• Some schools closed indefinitely; NYC teachers go back tomorrow (Friday)(If they can get in) and school resumes Monday.
• Highlighted communities (media) 
  • Breezy Point
    • We discussed this community last night - tightly knit - first responders - homes handed down from generation to generation - lost residents in 9/11 - subsequent plane crash in November 2001 in community of Rockaway which is just next door 
    • 120 homes burned
    • My friend was the luckiest of all the residents.  Basement fully flooded but just trickle of water on first floor.  Only lost his car.  Is staying with his mom in Brooklyn. 
  • Staten Island 
    • Two horrific stories highlighted by the media - I can't even type this with dry eyes.  Here are the links
      • http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/01/bodies-of-two-missing-staten-island-brandon-moore-connor-moore_n_2059596.html?utm_hp_ref=new-york
      • http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/31/artur-kasprz-nypd-officer-drowns_n_2049107.html
    • 3 days for FEMA to arrive - controversy brewing over their response and their funding
    • Mayor Bloomberg's controversial decision to move forward with the NYC Marathon this Sunday
  • Atlantic City - the iconic boardwalk washed away
  • Seaside Heights - 'governor Christie's last stand'  - the true definition of 'The Jersey Shore' - NJ residents watched their childhood be swept away.
  • Manhattan
    • Hospital evacuations
    • Power outage south of 26th st  http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/superstorm-hurricane-sandy-2012-york-city-post-storm-17615293?tab=9482931&section=4765066
    • Carpool rule Thursday and Friday
    • Senior citizens in high-rises being cared for by Visiting Nurse Service of NY (walking up flights of stairs to get to these folks 'cause elevators are out) and Meals on Wheels.  National Guard is helping.
    • Unimaginably long lines for buses.
  • Long Beach - another barrier island
    • Boardwalk destroyed and washed up into the streets
    • Will not know for another few days when residents in these buildings will be allowed back in
    • Cars buried in sand in front of their homes
    • National Guard has handed out meals and water
    • 
• Misc thoughts & concerns
  • Patience starting to run low (re power outage) as temperatures are dropping and by the weekend will drop towards freezing levels at night
  • One case of looting reported on CNN (items taken from lawn where they were put out to dry)
  • Will people be able to vote?
  • Will there be enough rental cars available as so many people lost their cars
  • Petrol stations running out of gas for generators; NY & NJ ports are closed so petrol delivery impossible