Hurricane Sandy (1 Viewer)

[Uruk-Hai]

Marathon postponed.

New York City Marathon Postponed The New York City Marathon is no longer on for this Sunday, WNBC reported. The decision to postpone the race comes after Mayor Michael Bloomberg faced an onslaught of criticism for vowing to push ahead with the annual event, just days after a massive storm caused millions of dollars in damage to the city's five boroughs. "If they take one first responder from Staten Island to cover this marathon, I will scream," New York City Councilman James Oddo said on his Twitter account. "We have people with no homes and no hope right now." Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer echoed Oddo's concerns, saying that people in the area should be helped first. Emergency workers continue to wade through flooded homes to look for survivors in the area. Millions of people remain without power in the Northeast, as the death toll from Superstorm Sandy swelled to 95. At least 37 of those deaths were in New York City. Get More at NBC News

I know some will scream about this, but sometimes the plus/minus scale doesn't apply. Whether they should or not, emotions have a say, and running across the Mafia Bridge into Richmond County while so many are suffering is rubbing those folks' noses in it.

 

[Billy Bats]

Marathon postponed.

New York City Marathon Postponed The New York City Marathon is no longer on for this Sunday, WNBC reported. The decision to postpone the race comes after Mayor Michael Bloomberg faced an onslaught of criticism for vowing to push ahead with the annual event, just days after a massive storm caused millions of dollars in damage to the city's five boroughs. "If they take one first responder from Staten Island to cover this marathon, I will scream," New York City Councilman James Oddo said on his Twitter account. "We have people with no homes and no hope right now." Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer echoed Oddo's concerns, saying that people in the area should be helped first. Emergency workers continue to wade through flooded homes to look for survivors in the area. Millions of people remain without power in the Northeast, as the death toll from Superstorm Sandy swelled to 95. At least 37 of those deaths were in New York City. Get More at NBC News

I know some will scream about this, but sometimes the plus/minus scale doesn't apply. Whether they should or not, emotions have a say, and running across the Mafia Bridge into Richmond County while so many are suffering is rubbing those folks' noses in it.

He really had no choice. What were they going to clear the roads of electric trucks, tree removal and the other heavy machinery for a jog thru the city? Suprised it took them this long.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

The NFL should have move the Giants game to Pittsburgh as well. Holding the game in NY/NJ will take valuable resources away from people that desparately need them. Very dumb decision.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Marathon postponed.

New York City Marathon Postponed The New York City Marathon is no longer on for this Sunday, WNBC reported. The decision to postpone the race comes after Mayor Michael Bloomberg faced an onslaught of criticism for vowing to push ahead with the annual event, just days after a massive storm caused millions of dollars in damage to the city's five boroughs. "If they take one first responder from Staten Island to cover this marathon, I will scream," New York City Councilman James Oddo said on his Twitter account. "We have people with no homes and no hope right now." Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer echoed Oddo's concerns, saying that people in the area should be helped first. Emergency workers continue to wade through flooded homes to look for survivors in the area. Millions of people remain without power in the Northeast, as the death toll from Superstorm Sandy swelled to 95. At least 37 of those deaths were in New York City. Get More at NBC News

I know some will scream about this, but sometimes the plus/minus scale doesn't apply. Whether they should or not, emotions have a say, and running across the Mafia Bridge into Richmond County while so many are suffering is rubbing those folks' noses in it.

He really had no choice. What were they going to clear the roads of electric trucks, tree removal and the other heavy machinery for a jog thru the city? Suprised it took them this long.

I think it was a good move to wait until there were just no other options. They wanted to see if they could pull it off and they can't. Sometimes leaders can put the kobash on things too early.

 

[culdeus]

The NFL should have move the Giants game to Pittsburgh as well. Holding the game in NY/NJ will take valuable resources away from people that desparately need them. Very dumb decision.

Giants got the benefit of the Saints that one time right? Time to return the favor, plus they play better on the road.

 

[Billy Bats]

He really had no choice. What were they going to clear the roads of electric trucks, tree removal and the other heavy machinery for a jog thru the city? Suprised it took them this long.

I think it was a good move to wait until there were just no other options. They wanted to see if they could pull it off and they can't. Sometimes leaders can put the kobash on things too early.

Yea I can appreciate that view. Just glad they did.

 

[NJ]

Does NJ still have that law where you can't pump your own gas?

As far as I know we do, but both times I've gotten gas this week, I was asked to pump it myself, so not sure if its been suspended or if the attendents just don't care because they are overwhelmed. On a side note, if anyone in Western Monmouth or Ocean County NJ is looking for gas the Wawa on Rt 537 right next to Great Adventure has been open the past few days and the wait isn't too bad, got gas in ~25 min today.

 

[squidrope]

It doesn't matter. We clearly will not agree on this. I have lived through disasters with anti-price-gouging laws and without. I greatly prefer the former. I'll leave this discussion along until another time, when it's not interspersed with news of someone's neighbors dying. Apologies to the thread.

I'd agree with you if things were live/die. They aren't like that. There are shelters. Let the market dictate the price and if some people choose to pay $20- a gallon so be it.

 

[TLEF316]

I honestly think that I could have built my own power plant at this point

 

[belljr]

The NFL should have move the Giants game to Pittsburgh as well. Holding the game in NY/NJ will take valuable resources away from people that desparately need them. Very dumb decision.

I have no issue with this OR move it to the LINC. It's not being used.Would be kind of funny having the Giants playing a "home game" in Philly but would probably be a Steelers home game....

 

[Sebowski]

Re: price gouging

During the great San Diego Blackout of 2011 a couple local shops price gouged. Another one did the opposite. He rounded all prices down and even throw in cheaper stuff for free. That store is a lot more popular than the other ones around here now.

 

[3C's]

Storm next week looking more likely. Nothing too crazy though.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Price gouging may be economically justifiable, but it is immoral IMO

 

[Sebowski]

Price gouging may be economically justifiable, but it is immoral IMO

And not always good business.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

Gas rationing starts in NJ for the counties hit hardest tomorrow in central and northern NJ, according to the NJ Star Ledger.

Governor Chris Christie took action to prevent a fuel shortage and ease the problem of extended wait times and lines at gas stations by signing Executive Order 108, declaring a limited state of energy emergency with regard to the supply of motor fuel and implementing odd-even rationing for gasoline purchases in 12 New Jersey counties. Odd-even fuel sales will take effect in the following counties at noon on November 3, 2012: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren."

"... Once in effect, all retail dealers of motor fuel will be required to only sell motor fuel for use in a passenger automobile bearing license plates, the last number of which is an even number, on even numbered days of each month. Likewise sales will only be permitted to passenger automobiles bearing license plates ending in odd numbers on odd numbered days of the month. Specialized plates – or those not displaying a number – will be considered odd numbered plates."

 

[hammerva]

Has anyone donated any money to the RedCross tonight. I texted REDCROSS to 90999 liked they mention for a $10 donation but haven't seen anything back to verify that they get it. Obviously they are busy but want to make sure they got it.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Pretty good telethon on NBC so far.

But the only thing looking more beat up and battered than the Jersey shore lately is Aerosmith, can we do a telethon for these guys next week?

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Pretty good telethon on NBC so far.But the only thing looking more beat up and battered than the Jersey shore lately is Aerosmith, can we do a telethon for these guys next week?

Has Springsteen performed yet?

 

[Rohn Jambo]

What is going on in Staten Island. Are the National Guards making helicopter food drops there yet?

 

[Jewell]

Re: price gouging

Slate had an interesting article on price gouging a couple days ago...

The Case for Price Gouging

Trying to prevent merchants from hiking prices during disasters is futile and counterproductive.

Even in these polarized times, there are some things politicians of both parties can agree. Price gouging, for example, is wrong. New York Attorney General Eric Scheiderman, a Democrat, wants you to know it. But this isn’t just for soft-hearted liberals. New Jersey’s notoriously tough conservative governor, Chris Christie, also put out a weekend press release warning that “price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal” and that complaints would be investigated by the attorney general. Specifically, Garden State merchants are barred from raising prices more than 10 percent over their normal level during emergency conditions (New York’s anti-gouging law sets a less precise definition, barring “unconscionably extreme” increases).

The bipartisan indignation is heartening, but there’s one problem. These laws are hideously misguided. Stopping price hikes during disasters may sound like a way to help people, but all it does is exacerbate shortages and complicate preparedness.

The basic imperative to allocate goods efficiently doesn’t vanish in a storm or other crisis. If anything, it becomes more important. And price controls in an emergency have the same results as they do any other time: They lead to shortages and overconsumption. Letting merchants raise prices if they think customers will be willing to pay more isn’t a concession to greed. Rather, it creates much-needed incentives for people to think harder about what they really need and appropriately rewards vendors who manage their inventories well.

Consider the case of poor Thakur Gas of Branchville, N.J., which was hit with a $50,000 fine in late September for price gouging charges arising out of Tropical Storm Irene. Christie specifically cited the case over the weekend as a cautionary tale of what awaits New Jersey retailers who try to adjust prices to shifting supply and demand conditions. Thakur’s crime, according to court papers, was raising the prices 17 percent when the storm hit, causing the store’s gross margins to spike.

This seems like a straightforward violation of New Jersey law, but what Thakur did also make perfect business sense. If there’s elevated demand for your product, you try to sell more of it. But if you can’t sell more volume because supplies have been disrupted by a storm, you raise prices. Customers aren’t going to like it (and the need to maintain good will with your customers should be a factor in any business’s decision-making) but they’re also not going to like it if you run out of gasoline by 2 p.m. because it has all been bought up by earlier, stockpiling drivers.

What Branchville, N.J., drivers ought to fear isn’t a few days of high gasoline prices, it’s the risk that station owners might not bother to open the station at all. For customers to suffer from a gasoline shortage even while gasoline sat idle in the storage tanks of local businesses would be absurd. If higher operating margins are what it takes to tempt people to brave difficult driving conditions for the sake of opening the store on a day when customers are likely to be scarce, that’s a small price to pay.

Indeed, many of the problems associated with weather emergencies are precisely caused by the fact that we can’t count on shops to “gouge” their customers. I live in a neighborhood with buried power lines in a building that contains a supermarket on the ground floor. But I nonetheless found myself stuck in line Sunday evening at the Safeway stockpiling emergency supplies just in case something went badly wrong and knocked power out throughout the city. The issue wasn’t that I wouldn’t be able to get to the store in a worst-case scenario, as that I was afraid other people would already have bought up all the stuff. And indeed, by the time I made it, the shelves had been largely denuded of essentials such as bottled water, canned soup, batteries, and Diet Coke. Greater flexibility to raise prices would not only tend to curb overconsumption directly by encouraging people to buy less, it would inspire confidence that shortages wouldn’t arise, reducing the tendency toward panicky preemptive hoarding.

Last but by no means least, more price gouging would greatly improve inventory management. There is a large class of goods—flashlights, snow shovels, sand bags—for which demand is highly irregular. Maintaining large inventories of these items is, on most days, a costly misuse of storage space. If retailers can earn windfall profits when demand for them spikes, that creates a situation in which it makes financial sense to keep them on hand. Trying to curtail price gouging does the reverse.

None of which is to say that people should be greedy all the time. Disasters really are times when people pull together and we see large and small acts of kindness that rightly inspire us. But consider that declining to raise prices in the face of spiking demand and inelastic supply is a very odd form of charity: It doesn’t create any new resources, just allocates them arbitrarily to whoever shows up first. If you feel bad about the idea of earning windfall profits off the misfortunes of others, then donate the money to charity. If that seems too impersonal, give your employees a bonus for showing up under difficult circumstances. But storm or no storm, the best practice is to try to set prices that balance supply with demand. State governments shouldn’t be trying to stop you.

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2012/10/sandy_price_gouging_anti_gouging_laws_make_natural_disasters_worse.html

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Pretty good telethon on NBC so far.But the only thing looking more beat up and battered than the Jersey shore lately is Aerosmith, can we do a telethon for these guys next week?

Has Springsteen performed yet?

on right now. Not a fan, but GB Bruce.

 

[culdeus]

The results of laws against price-gouging, with pics.

Does NJ still have that law where you can't pump your own gas?

Good point. Maybe the reason for the long lines is they simply don't know how to work a gas pump.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Cousin Jon ran Boston this year in about 3 hours (he's 45, so that's not bad). He drove up from GA yesterday to run this w/e, and WTH, might as well try to help - so he borrowed a trailer and brought 6 generators with him. They're running about 3 houses (or rather, refridgerators @ 3 homes) off each one - he brought several reels of 100 foot power cords. Lit up the whole block. Anyway, race canaceled, so now he's volunteering at NJ shelters for the next few days. If you say or act like he's done anything special, he scoffs and looks at you like you have three heads. "You'd do the same for me"

GB good people.

 

[Billy Bats]

Cousin Jon ran Boston this year in about 3 hours (he's 45, so that's not bad). He drove up from GA yesterday to run this w/e, and WTH, might as well try to help - so he borrowed a trailer and brought 6 generators with him. They're running about 3 houses (or rather, refridgerators @ 3 homes) off each one - he brought several reels of 100 foot power cords. Lit up the whole block. Anyway, race canaceled, so now he's volunteering at NJ shelters for the next few days. If you say or act like he's done anything special, he scoffs and looks at you like you have three heads. "You'd do the same for me"GB good people.

Pure awesomeness.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

Gas rationing starts in NJ for the counties hit hardest tomorrow in central and northern NJ, according to the NJ Star Ledger.Governor Chris Christie took action to prevent a fuel shortage and ease the problem of extended wait times and lines at gas stations by signing Executive Order 108, declaring a limited state of energy emergency with regard to the supply of motor fuel and implementing odd-even rationing for gasoline purchases in 12 New Jersey counties. Odd-even fuel sales will take effect in the following counties at noon on November 3, 2012: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren." "... Once in effect, all retail dealers of motor fuel will be required to only sell motor fuel for use in a passenger automobile bearing license plates, the last number of which is an even number, on even numbered days of each month. Likewise sales will only be permitted to passenger automobiles bearing license plates ending in odd numbers on odd numbered days of the month. Specialized plates – or those not displaying a number – will be considered odd numbered plates."

this is going to be a disaster to enforce.

 

[NYCelt]

Well day five with no power or heat. Was getting a bit scared here. Three kids in a house that dropped below 50 degrees past night. My daughter who is 16 months had the crup on Tuesday night but no hot water to run and no power for the humidifier I had to drove her around in the car with it plugged into the outlet in the console. Had to go about ten mph because trees are blocking every other street and lines down all over. Cop pulled me over asking why I was circling and pointed to the back seat. Was really starting to freak out as she ran a fever the next night and cough turned worse. Finally found a pediatrician open today to see her and my parents got power out on eastern LI do got here tonight. From west Nassau to east Suffolk not one gas station has gas . None Even on some local roads they were empty. Thank god I filled up on Sunday. They say we will not get power until at least next weekend. What are people supposed to do? Babies or old people in houses that are getting in the forties. Another storm coming?? People are losing it. Panic city. Thank god we have heat now. Just seeing what happened on the shores and it is heart breaking. What are these families doing to survive. Feel like I was in a coma all week and just woke up to a horror show.

 

[Gawain]

Cousin Jon ran Boston this year in about 3 hours (he's 45, so that's not bad). He drove up from GA yesterday to run this w/e, and WTH, might as well try to help - so he borrowed a trailer and brought 6 generators with him. They're running about 3 houses (or rather, refridgerators @ 3 homes) off each one - he brought several reels of 100 foot power cords. Lit up the whole block. Anyway, race canaceled, so now he's volunteering at NJ shelters for the next few days. If you say or act like he's done anything special, he scoffs and looks at you like you have three heads. "You'd do the same for me"GB good people.

Cousin Jon is good people. Amazing how things like this bring out the best and the worst in people.

 

[Gawain]

Well day five with no power or heat. Was getting a bit scared here. Three kids in a house that dropped below 50 degrees past night. My daughter who is 16 months had the crup on Tuesday night but no hot water to run and no power for the humidifier I had to drove her around in the car with it plugged into the outlet in the console. Had to go about ten mph because trees are blocking every other street and lines down all over. Cop pulled me over asking why I was circling and pointed to the back seat. Was really starting to freak out as she ran a fever the next night and cough turned worse. Finally found a pediatrician open today to see her and my parents got power out on eastern LI do got here tonight. From west Nassau to east Suffolk not one gas station has gas . None Even on some local roads they were empty. Thank god I filled up on Sunday. They say we will not get power until at least next weekend. What are people supposed to do? Babies or old people in houses that are getting in the forties. Another storm coming?? People are losing it. Panic city. Thank god we have heat now. Just seeing what happened on the shores and it is heart breaking. What are these families doing to survive. Feel like I was in a coma all week and just woke up to a horror show.

Hang on there buddy. Still no power here as well. All you can do is bundle the family up good. Amazing how body warmth can keep everyone warm. If there's anything I can do, let me know.

 

[urbanhack]

Can the price gouging #### be taken to another thread???

Seriously. Lot's of folks here giving important updates and information about their situations. No need to wade through the bull #### right now.

 

[urbanhack]

Cousin Jon ran Boston this year in about 3 hours (he's 45, so that's not bad). He drove up from GA yesterday to run this w/e, and WTH, might as well try to help - so he borrowed a trailer and brought 6 generators with him. They're running about 3 houses (or rather, refridgerators @ 3 homes) off each one - he brought several reels of 100 foot power cords. Lit up the whole block. Anyway, race canaceled, so now he's volunteering at NJ shelters for the next few days. If you say or act like he's done anything special, he scoffs and looks at you like you have three heads. "You'd do the same for me"GB good people.

Cousin Jon is good people. Amazing how things like this bring out the best and the worst in people.

 

[Jewell]

Three kids in a house that dropped below 50 degrees past night. My daughter who is 16 months had the crup on Tuesday night but no hot water to run and no power for the humidifier I had to drove her around in the car with it plugged into the outlet in the console.

Wow, man, it's stories like that which really personalize this tragedy. Keep that little doll wrapped in blankets or close to your body for warmth. Best wishes to you and your family.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Can the price gouging #### be taken to another thread??? Seriously. Lot's of folks here giving important updates and information about their situations. No need to wade through the bull #### right now.

There's a balance. Some want to vent. Others (and I've noted your posts this week) are highlighting the positive links and images. And it's the FFA. Some folks like to argue and think it's more important to be right. Takes all kinds to keep the big blue marble spinning.

 

[3C's]

Cousin Jon ran Boston this year in about 3 hours (he's 45, so that's not bad). He drove up from GA yesterday to run this w/e, and WTH, might as well try to help - so he borrowed a trailer and brought 6 generators with him. They're running about 3 houses (or rather, refridgerators @ 3 homes) off each one - he brought several reels of 100 foot power cords. Lit up the whole block. Anyway, race canaceled, so now he's volunteering at NJ shelters for the next few days. If you say or act like he's done anything special, he scoffs and looks at you like you have three heads. "You'd do the same for me"GB good people.

Pure awesomeness.

No doubt.

 

[NYCelt]

My one buddy in massapequa said he and his wife and two lite gis (4,1) at one point were laying in their attic crawl space and TE water was just about half way up the stairs to the second floor. My friend who love in my town begged him to drive up Monday morning but he decided not to. The guy in my town had a tree smash his car in half. It looks like a war zone here and we are 100 times better off than the shore towns. No traffic lights here and still have not seen one lipa truck in five days in.

 

[3C's]

Well day five with no power or heat. Was getting a bit scared here. Three kids in a house that dropped below 50 degrees past night. My daughter who is 16 months had the crup on Tuesday night but no hot water to run and no power for the humidifier I had to drove her around in the car with it plugged into the outlet in the console. Had to go about ten mph because trees are blocking every other street and lines down all over. Cop pulled me over asking why I was circling and pointed to the back seat. Was really starting to freak out as she ran a fever the next night and cough turned worse. Finally found a pediatrician open today to see her and my parents got power out on eastern LI do got here tonight. From west Nassau to east Suffolk not one gas station has gas . None Even on some local roads they were empty. Thank god I filled up on Sunday. They say we will not get power until at least next weekend. What are people supposed to do? Babies or old people in houses that are getting in the forties. Another storm coming?? People are losing it. Panic city. Thank god we have heat now. Just seeing what happened on the shores and it is heart breaking. What are these families doing to survive. Feel like I was in a coma all week and just woke up to a horror show.

Hang in there man. You're doing good and you'll make it out stronger than before.

 

[John Bender]

My one buddy in massapequa said he and his wife and two lite gis (4,1) at one point were laying in their attic crawl space and TE water was just about half way up the stairs to the second floor. My friend who love in my town begged him to drive up Monday morning but he decided not to. The guy in my town had a tree smash his car in half. It looks like a war zone here and we are 100 times better off than the shore towns. No traffic lights here and still have not seen one lipa truck in five days in.

Is there anything FBGs can do for you directly? If you're a prideful guy, PM me. Great story (in the way you presented it, not the facts themselves)

 

[3C's]

My one buddy in massapequa said he and his wife and two lite gis (4,1) at one point were laying in their attic crawl space and TE water was just about half way up the stairs to the second floor. My friend who love in my town begged him to drive up Monday morning but he decided not to. The guy in my town had a tree smash his car in half. It looks like a war zone here and we are 100 times better off than the shore towns. No traffic lights here and still have not seen one lipa truck in five days in.

They'll get there. Been through several extended power outages. Frustrating at times. Tougher with kids. They'll get there though. For everyone and no one at all: Show those guys from the utilities some love. They're out there working long hours in tough circumstances.

 

[NYCelt]

My one buddy in massapequa said he and his wife and two lite gis (4,1) at one point were laying in their attic crawl space and TE water was just about half way up the stairs to the second floor. My friend who love in my town begged him to drive up Monday morning but he decided not to. The guy in my town had a tree smash his car in half. It looks like a war zone here and we are 100 times better off than the shore towns. No traffic lights here and still have not seen one lipa truck in five days in.

Is there anything FBGs can do for you directly? If you're a prideful guy, PM me. Great story.

We are fine. In a house with heat now. But cant go to work next week unless I can find gas over the weekend as I am now an hour drive from work. I am very worried for families with babies in homes approaching 40 degrees. It is not even in the local news forget national. 80% of this county has no power. My one biddy has four familes in his house. My concern are the families with nowhere to go. It might snow here next week. They had some but chasing people with a hammer at a has station in seafood. It is panic city here. Looting getting bad and no news anywhere covering it. People sleeping I houses with a foot of water sewage and god knows what on the first floor with no heat. Iris 38 degrees outside. And all I see is Romney Obama on every news channel. Do I get to vote Tuesday? Where?

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Just donated to the Red Cross. Good luck to everyone affected by this awful event.

 

[NYCelt]

My one buddy in massapequa said he and his wife and two lite gis (4,1) at one point were laying in their attic crawl space and TE water was just about half way up the stairs to the second floor. My friend who love in my town begged him to drive up Monday morning but he decided not to. The guy in my town had a tree smash his car in half. It looks like a war zone here and we are 100 times better off than the shore towns. No traffic lights here and still have not seen one lipa truck in five days in.

They'll get there. Been through several extended power outages. Frustrating at times. Tougher with kids. They'll get there though. For everyone and no one at all: Show those guys from the utilities some love. They're out there working long hours in tough circumstances.

I know believe me. Those guys are working all day all night. They are part of the solution not the problem. But I am just being practical about it. Families are in damp cold homes and will be like that for another ten days minimum. And people are worried about a marathon.The president of the regional gas assoc just said on the news they won't have a significant influx of gas until tuesday. It is crazy right now with brawls at gas stations. Should be a riot by Monday. There was a line of cars a mile and a half long by my office and ateast fifty on foot with cans all for a station that HAD NO GAS! And they all knew it. There is o coverage of this. Mastic beach is a sh/show. Some very scary stuff outside the window.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Sounds like it is getting better in lower Manhattan. Married buddy w/ 4 y.o. just texted they have power at East 4th and Ave A. They've been staying at a shelter all week - came up here Wednesday for showers, recharging devices and trick or treating. Not the worst hit by any stretch but gotta be tough to be going through this with a young family and no extended realtives in the area.

In the five boroughs, we've gone from 2 million out of power to 1 million at lunchtime today to 500K tonight. Getting there. Gov Cuomo taking shots at ConEd and LIPA at every presser.

In laws have no power still mid-island, but one of them has a generator, so communial meals and bathing in shifts. Big tree fell on SILs house but they just sealed off that end of the house until things normalize and they can rebuild.

Minor inconveniences, nothing worth griping over.

 

[NYCelt]

I apologize for all the spelling errors but typing on this phone and have not slept much since Sunday night.

 

[Otis]

This week has gotten brutal.

Last night and today my wife and I hit a low. Last night we brought home our daughter, who is sick, oping to sleep there and get through another night. No power, no heat. The house was downright COLD. I don't think I ever appreciated what 45 degrees meant, because usually it's outside, and I have a coat and hat on, and I can come back inside and get warm. 45 degrees inside a house, for days on end, is just awful. It is cold to the bone. And you can't get warm, no matter how big a fire.

That's one thing, but my daughter being sick is another. My wife and I could survive, but this is different. My wife put her to bed last night at 7 under a few layers of blankets in her crib. We sat in front of the fireplace, pitch black, and demoralized. My wife is pregnant, hormonal, tired, and helpless. She went up to bed. It was 8:30. I eventually met her up there. At about 3am, she came in and I woke up. She was panicked and brought out daughter into the bed. My daughter was absolutely shivering, shaking; my wife bawling. It was just awful. We finally get her warmed up between us in the bed. We slept that way through the rest of the night and I think my daughter slept some. She woke up screaming, 103.6 fever. My sister and brother in law had power nearby, and this was the last straw. I didn't shower, or change, or anything. I grabbed my daughter and car keys, dragged my wife down to the car, and we drove.

We spend the day today here. It's warm, lit, with TV, and internet. We took my daughter to an urgent care place this morning, got her some antibiotics. Our patience is so thin -- she's sick and has been screaming and crying most of the day, with intermittent time spans of her being herself. It's just been exhausting. Our hardest week as parents, as a married couple, and period. That said, my sister and brother in law are amazing. We had a hot meal; I went out and got wine; we gave our daughter medicine and she finally went to bed peacefully. We have a half tank of gas, and I'm trying to spare driving as much as possible, because all the lines at gas stations are hours long. Based on some of the large trees down on lines near our house, I suspect it will still be a while till we have power -- our little village, a mere 10 blocks or so from here, is less densely populated, and so I suspect we're lower on the priority list. That said, I'm just so thankful that we have a warm home and a place to be tonight, and we had some food, and wine, and I'm really hoping my daughter wakes up herself tomorrow. Before she just went to bed, my wife smiled for the first time in a week, and seemed to have her nerves finally calmed.

Easily the hardest thing we've been through. We hate imposing on others, and yet now we truly understand what it means to need help. The feeling of helplessness is awful. And through this all, I can't imagine that we have had it so easy compared to others on Long Island, Staten Island, and in NJ.

Next week I have to travel for work. I'm just glad my wife finally gave in and agreed to go stay with others, imposing or not. We really had no choice. They'll be OK without me here now I think.

As to the marathon -- total infuriating stupidity. Maybe I'm just reacting so strongly because I'm experiencing this first hand, but it's absurd to me that they would fly a bunch of effing more tourists in here from all over the world for a nice jog under these circumstances. The last thing we need here is more people to take up hotel rooms, more competition for the gasoline, more gridlock when they close off roads, more people needing water and basics. The canceling of this thing should have happened days ago, and the organizers are total ####### #######s. Period.

As to the gas lines -- they are absurd. At 6am today they went 8-10 blocks long. I'm just desperately trying not to drive, because I don't want to have to deal with that. We have enough on our plates. The car keeps popping up a warning light that the engine oil is low, but it's a lease, and I just can't worry about it right now.

Overall, this whole situation really has sucked, but it's so nice to have a shower, clean clothes, some warmth and food, and a little connectivity to the outside world, and to have it all knowing my daughter is taken care of and my wife is getting a little sanity back. This is a total mess even for those of us who experienced no real loss. I just can't fathom the stories I've read.

Best of luck all.

And I saw the post in here about the nor'easter -- my BIL mentioned this. Jesus I hope that doesn't really hit here. 45 degrees right now feels like bitter cold. I went back to our house to get some clothes and things tonight, and it's amazing how cold a house feels inside when it's been cold inside for days. I can't imagine when it hits the 20s or 30s here and is snowing. I really hope for the people with no place to stay that it doesn't happen. And I hope the ####### dildo I just saw on CNN from Germany who is here for the marathon and all disappointed that his little group jog won't happen gets impaled on a giant ####### icicle.

####### people are so, so dumb.

 

[Otis]

Just donated to the Red Cross. Good luck to everyone affected by this awful event.

Class act Pickles. Same to the countless folks who have offered homes, apartments, and help in here. I've only had the time to skim, but this place is awesome.

 

[The Big Guy]

I am also down the Jersey Shore and live really close to all of the biggest messes, but escaped relatively unscathed. The thing that in really infuriating me is that every media outlet is pimping the Red Cross and I have yet to see or hear about the first single item or setup that they have provided to the storm hit area. There are many organizations that have hit the ground running to get aid here, help the displaced and feed the hungry that are more deserving of our charitable dollars.

On a different note, a friend of my daughters posted a picture earlier of a convoy of electrical workers from a variety of states coming up 295 to help get things back up and running for us. There are some times when I am just so proud of the people of this great country.

 

[Otis]

I am also down the Jersey Shore and live really close to all of the biggest messes, but escaped relatively unscathed. The thing that in really infuriating me is that every media outlet is pimping the Red Cross and I have yet to see or hear about the first single item or setup that they have provided to the storm hit area. There are many organizations that have hit the ground running to get aid here, help the displaced and feed the hungry that are more deserving of our charitable dollars.

On a different note, a friend of my daughters posted a picture earlier of a convoy of electrical workers from a variety of states coming up 295 to help get things back up and running for us. There are some times when I am just so proud of the people of this great country.

This is seriously awesome. We're just outnumbered in terms of the downed trees and power lines and the number of crews available. We need all the help we can get in this respect. Great stuff.

 

[NYCelt]

I can relate to Otis story above. I ran on foot a mile down franklin ave knocking on every MD door trying to find a doctor for my baby girl. It was like f-ing Angelas Ashes for a few days here. I finally got my daughter to bed around ten pm in front of the fire and just broke down. I don't know if it was cause the exhaustion or her state of being or that there were thousands much worse off than me ni had a house and fire. My buddy was in an attic crawl space with his family and water rising. Others have sick babies and no home. ERs are packed. No gas. Oh and no marathon.

 

[Rohn Jambo]

My sister and brother in law had power nearby, and this was the last straw.

I don't know what took you so long to head over to your sister's when you have a small child and pregnant wife. This is what happens when Otis loses access to FBG advice.

 

[Fla\/\/ed]

Otis, considering your situation you shouldn't feel like you are imposing at all. You need to do what is best for your family and kids. I wish you and everyone going through this all the best.

 

[Otis]

I can relate to Otis story above. I ran on foot a mile down franklin ave knocking on every MD door trying to find a doctor for my baby girl. It was like f-ing Angelas Ashes for a few days here. I finally got my daughter to bed around ten pm in front of the fire and just broke down. I don't know if it was cause the exhaustion or her state of being or that there were thousands much worse off than me ni had a house and fire. My buddy was in an attic crawl space with his family and water rising. Others have sick babies and no home. ERs are packed. No gas. Oh and no marathon.

Hey man, good luck. We have the gas to drive to an urgent care place in Hicksville. We got there 15 minutes before open, and the doctor was great, and we weren't there more than an hour. Let me know if you need the name of the place and I can PM.Having a sick child under these circumstances is the ultimate helplessness.