1601

. . . or maybe it’s bi-weekly. Another big storm is rolling in, temperatures in the 30s and 50-60mph winds.

Out of curiosity, what sort of response are you affected folks getting from the feds? It seems like the election has overshadowed this thing, is anyone getting left behind or is it just a matter of only so much repair work can be completed per day?

1602

Being in California all I hear about what is going on is through TV and radio news. Based on those it seems like everyone is pissed off, but of course I think that is what the media thinks sells.

Are there “success” stories? Are things improving for most people?

How many people who are screaming and yelling for aid are people who refused to leave when advised? After Katrina I would have thought people would prepare, but then I am sure this storm was way beyond anything anyone had ever been through before in the area.

1603

Most of the people without power, are without power because they live in an area with trees. I see crews, but after a week and a half without power - not happy.

Even in areas with flooding - no one has EVER seen anything like this. This was a once in a century event.

Number 1 gripe issue right now is probably the gas lines still. Despite what you’ve heard, they are still a huge problem, and are barely improving (at least on Long Island)

1604

I was amazed to hear on the radio today that Sandy was a category 1 storm. Seriously? Cthulhu help us if a cat 2 or 3 hits New York…

1605

I thought by the time it hit land it was just a “tropical storm” (or whatever term they use) and not a category 1 storm?

1606

Keep in mind the duration and wind area were MUCH bigger than any normal hurricane. So not an apples-to-apples comparison.

But yes, NY is screwed if a real storm ever hits. 90 mph sustained? A SINGLE gust of that speed knocked down most of the trees that fell in my area.

1607

The wind and rain really wasn’t that bad. It was the storm surge and resulting flooding that caused most of the damage in Manhattan.

1608

Tell that to the piles of 50+ foot tall trees littering my neighborhood.
Sustained 60 mph gusting to 90+ is bad.

1609

Imagine if a Category 5 ever hit, complete with sustained winds of well over 150 miles per hour…

1610

… and Queens, and Brooklyn, and LI and the Jersey shore and even CT. My cousin in Stamford who is a few blocks from the Sound had 5 feet of water in his house that conveniently took a turn through a sewage plant and gas station which created a smelly, oily swampy mixture that is all over his house.

1611

If I ever hear a cat 3 is going to hit, I’m getting off Long Island.

1612

Bear in mind that last year Irene missed New York but absolutely devastated rural Vermont.

This Spring New Hampshire also had several very serious hail storms, one of which was the most intense hail I’ve ever seen in my life, damaging pretty much every car in the town where I work.

It could be coincidence but, based on what I’ve been reading about changes to the jet stream, I think we should start getting used to the idea of extreme weather in the Northeast.

1613

I remember when Gloria hit Long Island in 1985 with Cat 3 winds. I went outside when the eye came over Nassau. It was absolutely surreal how quiet and peaceful it was. The aftermath wasn’t nearly as bad as Sandy though.

1614

And mere months before Irene battered Vermont, we had record spring flooding thanks to melted runoff from record snows.

1615

Not to mention the relatively recent tornadoes in Brooklyn.

1616

IIRC, Andrew was a 5. I’m sure you can google some pics…

The purpose of an eye of a Hurricane is to allow you time to walk the dogs!

1617

The New York Times repaired their paywall, another sign of the return to normalcy in the Northeast.

1618

Repaired or put it back up? I’m seeing lots of paywall news sites suspend it during an emergency. It’s what my local paper does.

BTW, seeing snow on the wunderground webcams. Does not bode well. Glad my sis in Westchester finally got a generator today.

1619

Goddamn it, it’s snowing already.

1620

Out here in NJ I’m still without power since last Monday. This storm is exaaactly what I need just about now…