E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSLines are long and open gas stations are few and far between in New York and New Jersey, as drivers wait to fill up their tanks. NBC's Katy Tur reports.
Justin Lane / EPA
National Guard troops dispense gasoline in Queens on Saturday.
The gasoline shortage in the New York City area should be over in "a couple more days," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Saturday, urging New Yorkers to be patient even as officials promised free gas only to then add this caveat: first responders first, then the public can line up.
Electrical power and deliveries are coming back online, Bloomberg said at a press conference, but even so "it may take a few more days before you see this additional supply."
Earlier Saturday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that "fuel is on the way" with the Department of Defense deploying five mobile fuel stations to New York City and Long Island, albeit with a 10 gallon limit.
"The good news," Cuomo said of the promised 12 million gallons, "is it's going to be free."
At least 1,000 drivers queued up at one site -- the Freeport Armory in Long Island -- only to be told the gasoline would not arrive for at least eight hours more, one driver said.
"There's just so many people getting very frustrated. People don't know what to do,'' said Lauren Popkoff, a teacher who had been in line for four hours.
The mobile station that opened in Queens was also swamped, NBCNewYork.com reported, with a line of cars stretching 20 blocks.
But the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs later issued an advisory asking the public to stay away from the mobile stations until more fuel is released.
National Guard Col. Richard Goldenberg said Saturday afternoon that people who were already at the distribution sites would not be turned away.
Cuomo added that the reopening of New York Harbor has provided 8 million gallons of fuel and another 28 million will be delivered over the next two days.
Tempers flared as people camped out all night, waiting for their turn at the pump in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. NBC's Tom Costello reports.
A third of the stations in New York City were closed Saturday due to power outages or lack of fuel -- a significant improvement from Friday when two thirds were closed.
When word of free gas spread Saturday, people rushed to the mobile stations.
"I left my coffee on the table and ran out," said Tatiana Gomez of Staten Island, who heard about it on the news while having breakfast.
Her's was the sixth car in line but she still had to wait 2 1/2 hours for the delivery to arrive.
National Guardsmen walked through the crowd, handing out water to those waiting.
"I think since 9/11 we've pulled together as people," Robert Costantino said while in line. "Now, when there's a crisis, we pull together."
Long lines also continued at regular gas stations.
"It's pandemonium out here," said Chris Damon, who was waiting among hundreds, many honking their horns, at a Brooklyn station. "I feel like a victim of Hurricane Katrina. I never thought it could happen here in New York, but it's happened."
Desperate drivers continued to flood north to Connecticut in hopes of finding fuel. Gas lines snaked down surburban side streets as state troopers and local police maintained order and directed the traffic choking U.S. Route 1 , the main artery that runs parallel to Interstate 95 along the coast from New York city to Boston. The backups were mostly confined to stations in Greenwich and Stamford, the first locations across the state line. Gas stations further up the line were operating with little or not waiting.
The availability of fuel north of the city resulted largely because Connecticut dodged two major factors that crimped the flow of gasoline in New York and New Jersey. Many stations in New York City and New Jersey were without power and unable to pump gas.
The closure of New York Harbor – to clear dangerous debris and check navigation buoys – delayed some tanker shipments. Most coastal Connecticut stations, by contrast, had power restored by Saturday and tanker deliveries to coastal Long Island sound gasoline terminals in Bridgeport and New Haven were largely uninterrupted.
Tom Kloza, chief analyst at the Oil Price Information Service, told The Associated Press that drivers seem to fear that stations will be out of gas for a week or more.
"There are some people who need it, but there are a lot of people who are panicking," Kloza said. "There's plenty of fuel. This will be over in days."
/
Superstorm Sandy made landfall Monday evening on a destructive and deadly path across the Northeast.
In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie on Friday ordered gas rationing in 12 counties to begin on Saturday under an "odd-even" system in which motorists with license plates ending in odd numbers would be able to buy gas on odd-numbered days.
Christie said Saturday that he hoped the restrictions would only last "a few days."
This article includes reporting by NBC News' John Schoen, Reuters and The Associated Press.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Manhattan electricity nearly restored, other areas still dark
- Sandy death toll in US rises to 109
- Near-freezing cold, potential nor'easter add to misery
- NYC Marathon canceled
- New York Harbor reopens to offer fuel supply
- How to avoid post-storm insurance and repair scams
- Your Sandy photos: Show us the heroes in your life
- Sandy's aftermath: How you can help
- Full NBC News coverage of Sandy aftermath
Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
A great recovery effort for a large disaster.
Best wishes to all impacted by the storm.
Stay safe.
Too bad the president is silent on Libya. Forward -- more like Coward!
If the media were fair, this election wouldn't even be close. Obama would lose in a landslide if the people knew the truth of his administration. Case in point: Can someone explain to me why for some two weeks Obama and his people pushed the story of an anti-Muslim video and protesters outside the US embassy in Libya when that wasn't even remotely the truth. They pointedly and purposely lied to the American people to cover up the terrorist attack!
Nevada, the last time I checked, Hurricane Sandy did not impact Libya.
Try to actually comprehend the topic before posting, otherwise you just embarrass yourself.
Nevada Brett right now we have US citizens suffering right here in the US. Priority and thoughts should be on them. What happened in Libya is tragic but so is the death and plight of our service men and women who are serving /served in Iraq over a lie about WMD's.
Stand down ... let them kill our ambassador and citizens ... I am Barack Obama and I approve this message.
(If it weren't for the election on Tuesday, Obama would be on the golf course instead of acting concerned for our citizens on the East Coast.)
Brett:
Are you truly an idiot or do you just play one ? Give it a rest. Just go voter for R&R and watch your job get moved to a country that you couldn't find with a map, bloodhound and GPS.
Nevada - SHUT UP!!!!!! That has NOTHING to do with this story and frankly people are sick and tired of your right wing propaganda BS. You think you know the truth of what happened because your conservative news has you brainwashed into thinking they are telling you the truth when the truth is NONE of us know what really happened. Where you this outraged when Reagan allowed Marines to be killed? Probably not, now save your opinion for a story that has to do with Libya and not one the has to do with people needing help on the East coast. You sound very selfish and self centered and ignorant if you think Romney will do any better.
Brett-
I figured your kind would show up here, complaining about helping out our own.
You should get counseling to figure out why your hatred runs so deep and overcomes your logic.
Track: Name calling, derision, fantasy. Is that all you have?
DCC70: You like being lied to? What if it were your son who died in Libya? Answer the question: Why for some two weeks did Obama and his people push the story of an anti-Muslim video and protesters outside the US embassy in Libya when that wasn't even remotely truth. They knew it wasn't the truth.
Lee: Nice try. Natural disasters cannot be prevented, Libya could have been.
Brett--do you spend your entire being trying to figure out how every news report can be sidetracked into a political rant? Go away..
Great reovery for who? Manhattan is always first to get everything at the cost of others in the city. You all need to remember that NYC is 5 boroughs, not one. The outer boroughs took a huge hit and are getting nothing yet.
Bretts mommy isnt giving him enough attention since he moved into the basement.
I would like to know who is paying for the free gas and why we didn't get free gas when rita hit does it mean if you cry and get violent you get free stuff I feel for the people but we taxpayers don't need to buy gas for others
Nevada Brett, how many sons and daughters have died in Iraq and Afghanistan because of the GOP lies about WMD's... stop wasting everyone's time on your BS. Do you really believe that anyone could ctually get ahold of any real intelligence that only the POTUS has! You are all puppets of the teabaggers. We have real issues here at home that need our focus. Look at NJ where they are nopw saying the amount of damage is due to a failing infrastructure because we are spending all of our money on a GOP war. We need to set our priorities on our own here in the US, not on making millionaires into billionares.
Brett-
What is your obsessive desire to know info that is classified, are you that important, if you were you would know and and you would not be here spewing your garbage. I doubt you would ever be on the "inside", you have proven yourself to be too immature for that type of position. Should the government have told us that we had deciphered the enemy codes during WWII, should they have told us that they were using Navajo code during WWII while we were using it. Should the British have disclosed they had radar and that is how they were always able to find the Luftwaffe. Go read fox news then, those traitors at fox have had a story leaked to them that they published. They say the safe house was actually a CIA outpost. The Ambassador and his aide died from smoke inhalation, they started destroying classified paperwork when the attack began, they were overcome by the smoke, there was nothing that could have been done, it was well planned and happened fast, choppers coming from our carriers could not get there in time. The two others died manning a machine gun at the safe house, they died in battle. Everyone else 34 people made it out.
Should we have launched F-16's to go on strafing runs, killing many neighbours and innocents who support us which would have lost us many allies within Libya, and which would have also made our planes susceptible to heavy machine gun and anti aircraft fire. Would you still be complaining if one of our F-16's got shot down possibly arming the enemy with OUR missiles to use as IED's.
Brett you area narrow minded self important fool.
Comment on the topic or go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heya Brett -
The reason your comment was collapsed, was because the thinking on the left is that if you sit in the corner and hide your eyes, the monster can't get you. They don't seem to process reality very well.
Yes, we all know Romney is a lying turd.. Yup - got it loud and clear...read it here every day! - but because he's a lying turd that seems to give license to others in their camp to be lying turds as well. You see, it's not the lies or incompetence in and of themselves that are bad, it's the party who's engaging in that activity which actually makes it bad.
Mention 16 Trillion Dollars in Debt - you get collapsed.....the answer always starts with "But Romney..." And so it goes. You can say "But Romney..." all day long but he didn't do that. However, if we just collapse the comment, because we don't have what it takes to reason our way through this reality.. we can continue on in fantasy, undisturbed.
Unemployment numbers kept artificially low - the actual number is more like in excess of 14% - hell, you've got 23 million people out of work! It just doesn't register, I guess because it Can't Register for some reason. So.. We don't discuss. We just call names and collapse.
Your health care now in the hands of Government. Brace yourself. You people need to start looking into the UK's "Liverpool Care Pathway" and get ready for it. It's coming. It's the model.. it's what we wanted to emulate!
What we've legislated here is absolutely unsustainable. But no one here will check it out.. Rather than even explore the possibility that they Might have bought the wrong plan.. they'll just collapse my comment... Cover their eyes and hide in the corner and the monster won't be able to get them.
On top of all the other debt, another 40 billion a month is currently just being printed right up in the name of "Quantitative Easing" - Specifically designed to help collapse the system, like everything else this administration has done. But... we won't discuss it.. we'll rant and rave and call names.. thinking it's an effective substitute for debate.. and we'll collapse the comment.
Dollars are like checks.. but unfortunately we no longer have anything to back them up .. they are all going to bounce, big time!
And it won't happen overnight - the President knows this. There won't be a major collapse all at once... that's his "Ace in the Hole". It will happen slowly, over time, this concentrated effort to 'equalize outcomes' rather than what the Founders had envisioned, which was to 'equalize opportunity'. Quality of life will diminish over time.......slowwwwly.....so that we learn how to adapt to each new insult, one at a time.. until we're living in squalor.. and there will only be the very rich and the very poor.
Over the past 50 years we've seen major advances in this 'Social Agenda'.. and over that time, our quality of life continues to decrease, and not increase. Over that time.. Every time the good old government finds a way to 'fix another crisis'... until you get what we have today... And somehow.. the answer to all of this.. is to be found somewhere within the pages if Mitt Romney's tax return.. or Barak Obama's birth certificate?
It's not about the party - it's about the policies. And what we're doing is not working.
However Brett - you can take comfort in the fact that NONE of what I've just mentioned is relevant as soon as this comment is collapsed :)
The fuel needs to go to the PEOPLE who need it first, and the businesses that have a food inventory that needs to be kept fresh, commercial use for anything other that rescue or survival should not happen right now.
Im from Louisiana and was destroyed by Katrina and Katrina makes that in New York look like a thunder storm. Is it because its up there and not here. Free gas really. Electricity almost on in all areas we were out for over a month. Yet they were turning down electric crews help cause they weren't part of the union. Crying cause got water on carpet in house try not having a house or just a chimney sticking out of water then complain to me. I guess a category 1 at 70 mph (Sandy) is now considered stronger than a category 4 at 145 mph (Katrina). Guess all depends on where you live.
The WMD,s are GOP'ers in the White House.
I used to be a proud republican who voted for yours truely George W Bush. I don't vote republican anymore. I believe that certain intelligence employees need stiff jail terms or defense contractors need to be investigated for their involvement,specificaly HALBURTON and PECKER HEAD CHEYNEY.
I AM VOTING FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA BECAUSE HE DOESN'T WORK FOR ANYONE BUT THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER.
ROMNEY ON THE OTHER HAND HAS WAY TO MANY GHOSTS CONTRIBUTING TO HIS CAMPAIGN. OIL COMPANY GHOSTS,CASINO OWNER GHOSTS,DEFENSE CONTRACTOR GHOSTS, AND 5 SONS WHO DIDN'T EVEN JOINED THE BOY SCOUTS NEVERMIND MILITARY SERVICE, AMEN, PEACE OUT AMERICA
First I hope that the people on the coast have a reasonably fast recovery.
I do want to point out that the fact that people receiving the free fuel understand that it is not free.
The government (all of us) are paying for it. I do hope it helps those in need regardless.
FREE! Maybe the 53% of people who pay federal income tax would disagree! George - Don't fool yourself. Casinos, please, Obama bought thier vote with 5.3 BILLION to the Indian reservations. Nice try. Don't for a second believe you voted for the Pesident with a better economic record George Bush!
@ Nevada:
Do you like being lied to? What if it were your son or daughter that died in Iraq?
Blaming Obama for 4 American deaths in Libya, but giving the Bush Admin. a pass for allowing 3000 Americans to be killed in NYC on 9/11(and thousands more in Iraq........
shows you are a HYPOCRITE, and partisan hack.
You eat up Romney's lies.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2012/08/29/mitt-romney-tells-533-lies-in-30-weeks-steve-benen-documents-them/
Mitt Romney tells 533 lies in 30 weeks, Steve Benen documents them.
All you Liberals get your head out of your ass's. If Obama wanted to he could of pulled all the troops out in the first two years because the Dems owned congress and Senate, he was to busy working on another welfare healthcare program, nothing else was important to him and Pelosi, Reid. if it was not for the rich having money to start company's their would not be jobs. Lets not forget the Vietnam war, o ya how you stupid Liberals forget fast, the most useless war in history, as for the damage in all the BLUE states, why did not the rich movie stars or music artist ever worry about that. O thats right Broadway is up and running first. All you stupid liberals own those states, maybe you should of been worried about the water level 20 years ago instead of now. So screw you and blamming Bush for everything, you stupid liberals started the welfare system that has crippled this country because you would rather let people feel sorry for themselves instead of working and paying taxes like every one else. Lyba is Obama's fault he's a lier, coward and everything else in that area with over throwing government leaders out is Obama's mess, maybe he should not be sleeping with the Muslim brotherhood. At least Bush was a leader, not a coward, he did not bow to any world leaders to get a peace prize. Fast & Furious is coward Obama fault and his bed body Holden.
@ okie58
We didn't get it in Florida either, but we weren't in freezing conditions with no way of keeping warm and freezing to death.
@ Vicki:
Bullsh*t.
The Dems had a slight majority for a couple of months.
Most of those deaths in Iraq took place under the last WH Admin.
No lib/Dem here, but you are definitely a partisan hack.
Just admit you are bigoted against Obama, and save all the "Bush was great", and "Obama is a liar/failure" rhetoric.
Bush held hands with and kissed the Saudi royals many times(most of the hijackers on 9/11 were Saudis).
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!
Only in the convoluted mind of a Liberal can anything in life be free.
The only thing free in life is your momma's love.
ROMNEY/RYAN 2012 FOR REAL AMERICANS©
NOTE: Liberals/Progressives remember to vote on November 7th.
@JimSpence
So, you think helping fellows Americans is wrong here?
You rather we have the same treatment like we did with Katrina? Now I see what you really want for this country.
Yes, the tax payers will foot the bill for the gas. Okay, and?? These are Americans. They are cold, vulnerable and hurting. They are our neighbors, our fellow citizens and taxpayers, and we SHOULD step up and aid them. The logistics of this are a mess and help takes time, but at least it is happening. Have we always stepped up as we should in the past, no; but that does not mean we shouldn't do the right thing now.
Frankly, I don't understand you people. Why the politics? Why the whining? If it was you, despite your lousy attitude, we should still step up and help our own. These are still the UNITED States. My family has fought in every action since the Revolutionary War for these UNITED States. They have bled and died for these UNITED States. I'm proud of each of them and their sacrifice. And your first response in a time of crisis when unity is needed more than ever is to devolve into pettiness? To carp and whine because a portion of taxes will provide heating fuel, food, and immediate necessities to fellow Americans in dire straits? Shameful. You want to debate policy, do it after the immediate humanitarian needs of our fellow citizens are met. Anything less is monstrous.
I am loving the fact that the Pentagon is supplying gas... GOOD JOB.... In times of trouble our own military taking care of our own people is just doing what it is supposed to do... They are protecting the lives of many in this disaster area.
Ro Mar
AMEM AMEN AMEN
How will free Fuel quell the anger by the survivors of "Sandy".
12 million gallons of FREE fuel---These tough people will never forget the anger they have felt for the last week. Where was Obama; photo ops with Christie (who is Christie?), and then off to Las Vegas Again.
The Dept. of Defense worked backwards---no one can be a G-d, and stop a Natural Disaster, but FEMA and Government should have been prepared for such another disaster as the Bush Katrina response.
This will not get him votes, if that is what he is looking for--it is Grim, people may not be able to leave their homes to "Vote" on Tuesday-no power, no food, no nothing--what if their cars are under water or destroyed?--how giving free Gas going to help--cars crushed by trees--waiting in line for hours again.
This is one more attempt by the O Admin to think they can buy votes.
"Too little, too late". Talk to your friends and relatives who live on the East Coast, as I have done. They are mad as h------12 millions gallons of gas will not go that far with that many people--it will be rationed out-
Ask yourself, how are they going to get to the Gas Stations--worn out, cold, snow coming, and frazzled. No heat.
Romney said during the GOP debates
he wanted to get rid of FEMA.
Now you are complaining about how they are doing the job. Really?
No, I DON’T think helping American's is wrong here.
You and I know that this is just political pandering by Bloomberg to make it sound like they are on top of things by claiming it is "free".
Pretending that this gas is free is insulting to any clear thinking American.
I’m very proud of our military stepping in to help. It sure does put a dent in your Liberal MIC meme though doesn’t it?
BTW, comparing this to Katrina is irrational. Katrina was the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. The cost of Katrina was $123 billion (in US 2011 dollars).
ROMNEY/RYAN 2012 FOR REAL AMERICANS©
NOTE: Liberals/Progressives remember to vote on November 7th.
DCC70, you are woefully misinformed. The President, his administration and the CIA knew full well that the mission was under attack. CIA operatives in the area that wanted to help were told to stand down. There were two previous attacks on the mission and the ambassador himself asked for increased security, but was denied. There was a drone overhead recording the attack so they were well aware of what was going on. Everyone in this administration insisted the attack was provoked by an internet video, which we know to be untrue.
This may not be the place for a discussion about Libya, but facts are facts and getting pissy about it will not change that.