Hurricane Sandy

[Barb135]

To everyone in the path of this storm, I do hope you've made preparations for at least 3 days of food, water, batteries, candles, etc.

We're already hearing hundreds of thousands w/o power and I know that crews from my power company are on their way to help your crews restore power.  Our crews will sit just outside the danger area until it's safe to go in; you'll be surprised how quickly things get done.  We saw this in 2004, when we had crews from all over the country helping us get power back on.  It was amazing and very touching that crews from nearly every state in the country would come to help us.

Please be safe and check in here, as soon as you can, after the storm has passed your area, so we know you're safe.  

Blessings to all.

[Barb135]

Thanks for that update; I do hope things continue to improve.  The devastation is some areas is astronomical and we certainly can understand how hard the recovery will be.

[teko]

I am glad to hear things are improving. After seeing all those homes go up in smoke on television, it makes sense to turn the electric off with an oncoming storm doesn't it? I cannot even imagine, you take care! And thanks, for giving an update. me worried....

[ILADVOCATE]

  Yes thanks. Some of the city itself was not affected as regards the loss of electricity as the lines are buried underground (the main areas affected had it turned off as a precautionary measure) but outlying areas regularly lose power in storms as their electrical system is above ground. I am okay in this regard but as family dont have the electrical system repaired yet and can be reached by phone but not email mostly staying offline.
  The governor has promised that areas without power should have it by the weekend and the subway service was partially up and running as of today. Areas where there were structural damage still need assistance. As well they are making long term plans should this occur again as shifts in weather patterns make it more likely.

[teko]

I didnt see any more posts from you, do you now have electric?

I heard the death toll in the states is at 88 bringing the total of lost lives so far from Sandy to 157

[orphanedhawk]

To donate to help the victims of hurricane Sandy:

http://www.redcross.org/charitable-donations

Over 30 years ago my town was flooded. We had 5' of water in our home.
The first people to group into town offering help was the red cross. They gave vouchers out, no questions asked. The red cross is  there when needed.

[Barb135]

I don't think they "over forecasted"......  if you've never been through a hurricane, you wouldn't know that there's really no such thing, because no one has any idea how much the storm will diminish once it hits land.

Living in a hurricane prone area and having to prepare, too many times, for things that didn't happen, I'd much rather see people "over prepared" than not prepared at all. These storms are so unpredictable, it's impossible to forecast, exactly, where they will hit and with how much force.

[Barb135]

I know it's hard to be without power, but your family's safety is the biggest concern. Thanks for checking in, to let us know you're okay.  

[ILADVOCATE]

  Thanks. Was offline in case the power went off and I needed the text to speech on the laptop. I am safe as is family. Some family members are still without power. One had to be evacuated from the area due to being next to the open ocean. From what I am reading it will take some time for things in the immediate area as well as the surrounding area to be brought back to normal:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/10/28/nyregion/hurricane-sandy.html?hp

[Barb135]

Being the moderator of this group, I have the ability to "sticky" things to the top, when I think it's warranted.  

I felt, and still do, that the "task at hand" is make sure all our members and their families are safe.  I definitely thought it was warranted to ask our fellow members to check in, as they can, so we know they are safe.

We hear from nursegirl and all is well - thank God.  MrsP posted a few hours ago, so is it safe to assume that you escaped the wrath, as well, or had it not started for you yet?  Please check in again.

Any members in the NE part of the country, please let us know you are okay.  

[nursegirl6572]

You aint kidding teko!  Counting my lucky stars, for sure!  Thanks!

[teko]

NG, Im glad all is well with you and yours. If all you got was a leaky roof, you are lucky! lol

[adgal]

I'm glad to hear everyone is well that was in the path of this storm.  My family in the east also got through it unscathed, with only minor damage to homes.  My mom said that the winds were going 100 km/h though, and it was a bit scary at times, but all is well.  

So sad that there were deaths - I believe 16 is the count?  Sounds like first responders did a fantastic job in getting people to safety.  So glad for that.

[brice1967]

God Bless everyone affected... but some of this looks like a little bit of over forecasting.  They just showed the "Battery Tunnel" flooded in New York.  Every time it rains, every railroad underpass floods in Las Vegas.....

Fear.... the worlds greatest motivator!

[nursegirl6572]

We are okay.  The roof leaked all night in our master bedroom, and with great timing, our washer leaked down into the gameroom (the rubber drum bellow ripped).  Other than that, just some scary gusts of wind, we even managed to keep our power.  The forecast was definitely much more severe than what we ended up getting.

STILL raining though, luckily we're not in an area where our home would flood, but people are definitely dealing with that.  Our creek down the hill is HUGE!

I'm counting my blessings.  My thoughts and prayers go out to those on the coast who were hit hard.  

[brice1967]

Man, I am confused... the keep saying on the news how catastrophic this storm and was, and they are talking about air ports being opened later today or first thing tomorrow... people are complaining about 28 hour layovers?  Yeah, that ***** but I've had a layover in Green Bay for well over that and that kind of happens on a regular basis.

[el_em_en_oh]

Hunker down and it'll pass.

I feel bad for the folks in the path of the storm, but Mother'Nature is a b*tch, and you've gotta roll with the punches she throws your way.

Let's get back to the task-at-hand, shall we? The 2012 presidential election!!!

(If you're a CE-Forum member, and in the path of the storm or effected by it in any way, I wish you the best of luck. My thought are with you, just as your thoughts have been with us here in the South, every time Mother'Nature rears her butt'ugly head. ~LMNO)

[MrsPincince]

That's because Barb Tacked it on top. Its because this post is a very important and informative one...Your post should be next in line...

[el_em_en_oh]

Why did this post not get bumped DOWN the list?

I just posted something, that should have dropped this one down the page, but it appears it's stuck at the top.

Am I missing something?

[orphanedhawk]

Report Hurricane Sandy Outages, Local Infrastructure Issues

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/29/report-hurricane-sandy-issues_n_2038138.html

Are you seeing outages and government service lapses related to Hurricane Sandy where you live?

HuffPost is collaborating with SeeClickFix to help you report what is happening in your neighborhood.

SeeClickFix is usually used for non-emergency local issues. In a storm, you can use SeeClickFix to report problems such as flooding, power outages, downed trees and lost pets or to ask neighbors for emergency supplies like batteries, food or water. SeeClickFix will try to alert your local authorities as well as those neighbors also using the platform.

HuffPost is collecting photos and stories on our Stormwatch Map and by email at ***@****.

[desrt]

An inverter for your laptop, a good power port for it in your vehicle, and a phone company with lots of propane for their backup generator.
Priceless.

[specialmom]

I just really want to wish all those that are affected by this storm the very best of luck for their safety and that of their family and friends.  I am very worried about you all and will pray for you.  

[Barb135]

Great idea, teko; I'd not thought of that.. you could also freeze bags of water (if you have time) and use them to keep food cold in coolers, fridges, etc. Yes, the water frozen in the bags will be suitable for drinking, provided that you got it before the water system went down.

Safety to all.

[teko]

You can also fill gallon size freezer bags with water and keep em in the fridge, it help insulate and you will have additional water if needed. Stay safe.

[Barb135]

'We're watching, as the storm travels ........ not fun........ anyone in the path, I hope you have your preparations made.

Check in whenever/as often as you can.......