I am SO happy to have power back at the house. This doesn't, however, compare to the devastation that many of my coworkers faced from Hurricane Sandy. It is unreal the amount of damage that some areas sustained. We helped one friend dig out all his belongings to try to salvage ANYTHING in his basement apartment. Thankfully he was safely out of town and did not have to ride out the storm. All his possessions were covered in mud and salt water with little hope of being saved. The volunteers that were walking the streets was a warm welcome to many families in the area that had no food or water. Even clothing was being delivered door to door to those who needed it.
Once we finished clearing out his entire apartment (even the walls were beginning to cave in in the basement) we moved on to another friend who lived down the street on Staten Island. He faired a bit better, but both of them lost two cars in the storm due to flooding. There were so many cars that had been pushed into yards, houses, and all over that the streets were impassible. The second house was not as bad, but they did see flooding up to about 4 feet and it was so sudden, the water rose in less than 5 minutes to that level. The family was safely upstairs and they didn't loose too many possessions and the water was clear without any mud or sewage.
So many other homes and people in the area did not make it though and the damage was so widespread. Other friends out on Long Island in the Rockaways and Breezy Point lost so much more. Entire families evacuated from their homes and everything was lost. It is heartbreaking to know so many people affected by the storm and still feel helpless to give them any assistance. Many still have not been allowed back into their communities because it is too dangerous. Then tack on the looting that is occurring all around the city and anything that was left may well have been taken. It is appalling how disgusting some people can be and amazing how wonderful others are. The U.S. Navy landed in Rockaway Beach today (before FEMA or the Red Cross) and began delivering much needed supplies and help via helicopter and amphibious vehicles.
While I was able to stay in touch with many people through the magic of Facebook, we had yet to view the horrific images on TV until just last night. It is amazing the amount of damage this storm caused for such a widespread area. Steve's parents did not have luck on their side at the shop either. The building took on over 7 feet of salt water and touched the bottom of the tires of the cars up on the lifts. All the cars in the surrounding area outside were destroyed and almost all the electronics in the shop were damaged beyond repair. We spent time helping them to clean the oil that had spilled from the force of the water off all the tools and surfaces in the shop. It was a terrible sight! I am so happy that people came out from everywhere to help my in laws to make their struggle a bit easier.
I am thankful that all we lost was power here and for the teams of electricians and workers from Minnesota that left their families to help us out and get us back on the grid again. I wanted to get them a cup of coffee for their efforts but by the time Dunkin Donuts was open again, they were all done and had already left!! This Thanksgiving we will have much to be thankful for and have many people on our minds.
Once we finished clearing out his entire apartment (even the walls were beginning to cave in in the basement) we moved on to another friend who lived down the street on Staten Island. He faired a bit better, but both of them lost two cars in the storm due to flooding. There were so many cars that had been pushed into yards, houses, and all over that the streets were impassible. The second house was not as bad, but they did see flooding up to about 4 feet and it was so sudden, the water rose in less than 5 minutes to that level. The family was safely upstairs and they didn't loose too many possessions and the water was clear without any mud or sewage.
So many other homes and people in the area did not make it though and the damage was so widespread. Other friends out on Long Island in the Rockaways and Breezy Point lost so much more. Entire families evacuated from their homes and everything was lost. It is heartbreaking to know so many people affected by the storm and still feel helpless to give them any assistance. Many still have not been allowed back into their communities because it is too dangerous. Then tack on the looting that is occurring all around the city and anything that was left may well have been taken. It is appalling how disgusting some people can be and amazing how wonderful others are. The U.S. Navy landed in Rockaway Beach today (before FEMA or the Red Cross) and began delivering much needed supplies and help via helicopter and amphibious vehicles.
While I was able to stay in touch with many people through the magic of Facebook, we had yet to view the horrific images on TV until just last night. It is amazing the amount of damage this storm caused for such a widespread area. Steve's parents did not have luck on their side at the shop either. The building took on over 7 feet of salt water and touched the bottom of the tires of the cars up on the lifts. All the cars in the surrounding area outside were destroyed and almost all the electronics in the shop were damaged beyond repair. We spent time helping them to clean the oil that had spilled from the force of the water off all the tools and surfaces in the shop. It was a terrible sight! I am so happy that people came out from everywhere to help my in laws to make their struggle a bit easier.
I am thankful that all we lost was power here and for the teams of electricians and workers from Minnesota that left their families to help us out and get us back on the grid again. I wanted to get them a cup of coffee for their efforts but by the time Dunkin Donuts was open again, they were all done and had already left!! This Thanksgiving we will have much to be thankful for and have many people on our minds.
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