Prev Next
Featured Quizzes
Politix Daily Headlines
Featured Debates
Issues

See all 19 issues

HURRICANE SANDY

'Life-Threatening' Hurricane Sandy Shuts Down the North East

Obama declares emergencies in NY, MA, MD, and DC

Next>

by Mary Noble

Senior Editor t +

Image: EPA

If you live in the North East, you've probably already made your storm preparations. But if you haven't, the National Weather Service has a message for you: this is a life-threatening storm, so get ready. Obama echoed the message today, and declared a state of emergency in DC, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.

Hurricane-force winds are expected to hit the following areas: New Jersey, especially the Southern Coast (at the center of the storm's path), New York City, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and southern Cape Cod, MA. In New York City, schools and public transport have been closed and evacuation centers set up.

Like this article? B Vote Up
?

If you live on the East Coast - have you made storm preparations?

75 Comments (view in Forum)

  • MBernard
    !
    I live in nyc, my son is born today at 1150am, my wife joked that our baby is a storm baby which made coined the phrase: born in the eye of a storm. It's windy here but no rain yet. Every was food shopping so they can stay home, that's good. Everyone should heed to warning and stay as safe as possible.
  • Politicskid
    !
    Best of luck to you, and congratulations on your son!

    Curious, is Bloomberg really following through on closing all mass transit? Will it affect you?
  • MBernard
    !
    @Politicskid thank you. And yes I think Bloomberg is going to follow through, same thing happened last yr around the same time. All transit system will be closed. I am home, my family and I are safe. So it won't affect me much, unless when I after it's over, I find out that a tree fell on my car, other than that, everything should be fine. 5hrs ago, everybody was food shopping because we're all planning to stay home until it's over.
  • ACTSmom
    !
    Congratulations! You can always nickname your son "Sandy" I guess! I sincerely wish you and your family the best...and hope you remain safe and sound through the storm and its aftermath.

  • Load more replies >

  • Politicskid
    !
    I don't live on the east coast...but I wish the best for all affected.

    I think it's crazy that they're closing all public transit in NYC. Apparently, the mayor thinks that people can still live in that city with just the roads! Everybody knows that most people don't have cars there. And people certainly aren't going to want to be walking in 40 mph winds! God knows what goes on in Bloomberg's head. He should order evacuation of the city if he really needs to shut down all mass transit.
  • MBernard
    !
    Well you have to understand when all public transportations are closed that it's for safety measures. schools are closed, businesses and everything else so nobody really has any reason to be on the streets. I was outside a while ago & it's dead quiet. Only first responders are out there.
  • MBernard
    !
    @Politicskid last yr when that happened, all businesses were closed and jobs unless, like me you're a first responder. Even I am not gonna be out there, b/c I am on maternal leave. Last yr my friends who were at work end up staying at work 2 or 3 days straight, lots of rain and wind. I was off but I was ordered to return back to work which I refused, and I end up getting in a lot of trouble for it, I even got a cd.
  • MOOGG
    !
    They closed down all Mass Transit in NYC. If Flood Waters (sea water) ends up in Subways, it's corrosive and it will take days to fix the system. It was a very smart idea by our elected officials to close the MTA, LIRR, MetroNorth, New Jersey Transit. This is one storm that you don't want to mess with - all schools are closed on Monday. Everyone stay safe! That is the most important thing - check in on your elderly neighbors and those who have no family - bring over a cooked, hot simple meal or even a sandwhich if you have now power. Don't forget the old, disabled and neighbors with no family. New Yorkers are the best! They come together when faced with uncertainty. Good luck to the other 5 State declared Emergency, NJ, CT, CT, Washington, DC and of course NY and the 5th is MA, I believe!
  • MOOGG
    !
    PS: Stock Market is even closed! Battery Park (area where Stock Market is located) is under an Emergency Evacuation with Flood Waters Rising 4-8 feet. During Irene, we were within 6 inches of sea waters hitting downtown Manhattan streets. During this storm, it's guaranteed to happen. This is not a storm to take lightly all along the East Coast!

  • Load more replies >

  • MOOGG
    !
    Spent the day sourcing a generator. Lowes great Customer Service but one little problem. They took names as early as last Thursday - put you on a waiting list. When the trucks arrived, Lowes In Tappan, NY didn't call anyone on the list. They instead sold them off the truck. Cops had to show up for crowd control. On the flip side, Lowes in North Bergen, New Jersey - Class Act! Professional, kind, polite, patient. They gave you 40 minutes to get to the store to pick up your reserved generator. They typed the names into the computer and called the reserved list. Pro Act - must thank Ralph in Tools! Tatiana in Customer Service. As for Tappan, they did their best and Margherite in Customer Service - class act. But they messed up by taking reservations and then not following through which ended up with a crowd of angry people, some on line for 10 hours! I was at store 1/2 hour before opening; they had 27 generators and didn't call a soul in Tappan Lowes in NY. In North Bergen, NJ (which I headed to next), they were "controlled, polite and actually called the customers on the reservation list". Got my generator to save the basement from flooding and to keep the groceries in my fridge. Last year, during Hallloween storm, lost thousands of dollars including clean up from that freak storm.

    Everyone stay safe! That is all that matters!
    Moogg
  • MOOGG
    !
    Lowes in Tappan, NY had a handwritten list - they didn't put it on their computers - how can you search an handwritten list? North Bergen, NJ, typed their reservation list onto the computer and gave you a "real reservation number". At the end of the day, everyone tried their best so I won't bash anyone but I hope Tappan, NY learns a lesson - don't take ressies if you have no plan to honor them! Honesty is always the best policy.
    Everyone, stay safe, it's the storm of a century!
    Moogg
  • MOOGG
    !
    Lol. This storm will impact the election for sure. Obabma is campainging in Florida on Monday; not sure what Romney is doing. Election must go on, despite millions of lives on the line in the next few days!????
  • Cheenoguy
    !
    @MOOGG
    Yes life goes on. The storm may do tons of damage or it may do little. He has already met with FEMA to ready a response. Even if the storm is as bad as expected he can run things from Air Force 1. Given that the storm could do damage to DC he may be better positioned to help by being out of DC. Lets wait until we see what happens before judging either candidate for campaigning.
  • TenFeet2Hands
    !
    I live in MA, more than the East coast will be affected, flooding is expected from the Hudson River in Canada to the ocean. The Adirondacks lost so much with the last huge storm this one will be devastating. At the moment we are in a state of wind and drizzle, nothing unusual for hurricane season. The problems arise when sustained light rain accumulates to raise the water table. Winds are likely to damage trees and some power lines always targets of any storm with wind. Since I live right on the coast, the storm's path is headed inland as it hits RI (far south of Boston and other coastal cities in a 30 mi area of Boston).

    The dogs are the issue, they really do not like walking in high winds with driving rain/drizzle, winds are currently 19 mph NE, 25 mph NE, 31 mph ENE in that 30 mi area respectfully.
  • gammler
    !
    I live near Norfolk, Virginia. Right now the storm is roughly parallel to us about 200 miles off the coast. We got a lot of rain and wind here, but so far, no damage that I can see. Sandy is an admixture of a hurricane and an nor' easter. It's not as strong as a hurricane here but it is BIG. Not only that but it is long lasting. It's lasted for 2 days. Who is REALLY going to get hurt are people who are not used to these type of storms.
  • seedtick
    !
    I live near the Gulf Coast in Texas and have experienced several hurricanes. I understand what the folks are experiencing in Hurricane Sandy. Riding out one of these events sounds exciting, but about the time the full force of the storm hits you or the water begins to rise all around, you will have a great desire to be somewhere else. Please do not take this thing lightly.
    My prayers are with everyone in the path of this storm. Be prepared, be safe, and stay inside until this thing is over.
  • Tralee
    !
    Oh yeah! We tied down what could not be stored elsewhere and got all the pots and things that could turn into flying hazards stored away. The only thing we can't do is prop up 4.5 acres of woods surrounding the house. Lots of rain before the wind guarantees trees down, just hope they fall away from the house. The generator will keep up warm and the water flowing so we will sit tight and sit this one out. DE is closed for the next 2 days.
  • Tralee
    !
    Yeah, usually, but I think this one is gonna be bad, we already are getting a lot of wind and it's not even here yet. The last sat. tracking radar picture we saw had the center pretty much going right over our house! This is no ordinary weather system.
  • Lpguy
    !
    I am basically in the Providence, RI area so i am not expecting a direct hit. However, i find these things are usually over hyped. Friends in NYC say its lame at this point. I just think ratings and what-if's are more important to the news folks
  • seedtick
    !
    @Lpguy Well now, Old Son....it's Tuesday morning and the storm has moved inland. What do you think about all the "hype" now? Have you communicated with your buddies in NYC?

  • Load more replies >

  • cpier14
    !
    I wonder who told berry that he should return to DC. You know it was not his idea or he would not have flown to Florida to campaign.Ccosting the taxpayers even MORE $$$$$$. That's his style if he didn't work for it so he cannot possibly appreciate it andif HE thinks you got too much he believes HE has a right to take it from you.
    LOOK OUT MIDDLE CLASS HE BEEN SCREWING YOU FOR 4 YRS AND IF REELECTED HE WILL NOT HIDE HIS AGENDA ANY LONGER. As he said to the russian when he thought the mics were off "tell Vladimir to be patient this is my last election, after the election i will have more flexibility.
    RESPONSE I will transmit this to Vladimir.
    If this does not scare the shit out of you you must already be DEAD