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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."
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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
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Hey...I have a good idea. Let's have a Marathon and we can pass out all the bottled water that we received for the storm! Brilliant I tell you, just brilliant!
Foreign aid. Foreign Islamists offered foreign aid and it was refused. OK, we hate them, but wasn't this a chance for dialogue w/ the 'enemy'? I'm dam sick and tired of all the security 'BS' (obama'a words) in the US. France was first w/ an offer to aid; are we at 'war' with them also? Obama's system of our foreign aid is to take from the poor US people and give to the rich.
By the way, I will not seek 'revenge' (obama's words) for the outcome of the election one way or other. I cannot speak for other Vets who are dam sick of Benghazi-gate. No man left behind?
Too many different people to respond to, so I'm doing a new post. I AM SO SICK OF PEOPLE COMPARING Hurricane Sandy AND LYBIA. YES, we lost FOUR americans in Lybia, but so far the count is over ONE HUNDRED here! There is NO comparison! Get over your rebpulican selves and STOP worrying about your supposed lies. START worrying about your own neighbors! GOD, its just ONE MORE reason that I HATE REPUBLICANS and if you think your doing your party any favors...think of Murdock and Akin. They put their foot in their mouths AND you people keep continuing to shove it in further!
mama; are you one of the deprived blacks that got pregnant (no husband), quit school and can't spell? Hell, use the spell checker.
Wow Nam, a racist ignorant pig you are!
Yes, flava flave mama; The people in the NE had weeks of prior notice to prepare and get out. They didn't. Even though our government had info that the consulate was in a perilous area, they kept it open. But, they didn't respond when the invasion of militants were killing our people on our property. Obama didn't respond either (to this date) but went to Vegas. Hell, he went to Dizzy World after Sandy but I think the Floridians told him to get lost. You really need to keep your ghetto mouth shut, mama. Steeler, what race am I? I can't be racist.
Let me settle this, you're both dummies.
I have a great idea!
Since the EPA restricted the amount of fuel hosipitals had for emergency generators, we should solve the problem with GREEN ENERGY!
Simply set up some windmills and solar panels and provide "everyone" in New York and New Jersy with Free Energy.
Your's truly,
Al Gore!
Yes Obama directed the hurricane with our super secret weather attack system. He underestimated size of the storm after telling all the people not to worry about stocking for supplies. Then Mitt suggested in a secret conversation with the defense department to give out free gas for votes but they said Obama would get all the credit. Then soon tuesday would come and all this madness will go away the end
We spent a week in KY 2 winters past without heat and electricity @ 12 degrees with negative windchill, so I know how they feel but we didn't get any help and like to froze to death.
It's probably because at most a couple hundred people suffered. We're talking close to 5 million here.
You. Are. A. Complete. DB.
Public suffering in and after Sandy storm in all states is a clear evidence of failure of local state governments when East coast is vulnerable to most storms & have faced Sandy like natural dislocation earlier. Governors have not used their proactive & positive vision to strengthen the back bones of public administration and services. Public services demand whole time dedication and devotion to performance under highly unforeseen, unlimited & consistent threats to human lives & public services which are primary drivers for appointing Governors in States. There are solutions to all problems, challenges & natural disasters but vigilant, intelligent & strong vision is needed to prepare in advance. Sandy forecast gave enough notice to put in place measures to protect public & public services, but all Governors took it easy with political obsessions rather than national commitment. Services like food supply, fuel, watering out, hygienic shelters and thrust along with medical teams to deal with dead & living could have placed in order easily. It is amazing that with all resources available in men & equipment in America public life continues to be disturbed from norms in absence of contingency plans and giving vulnerable point to bad elements and terrorists. It is time for Governors to update their concepts, place resources in fit form to deal with such situations which keep on occurring in natural phenomenon.
Come on folks, don't concentrate on gas stations.
Ever wonder what Obama's plan is to restore NYC
He consulted with his buddy Al Gore.
The plan is to set up windmills and solar panels instead of the dirty stuff.
I feel bad for them too, but why do we have to pay for their fuel. How many hurricanes has Florida had and no one said give it to us free. What happened was very bad, but it does not seem that they listened or prepared for the storm that was coming. Why did they not stock up on water & food and yes I understand those that totally lost their homes it would not have mattered what they stocked up on. It was a Cat 1 not a Cat 5 like Hurricane Andrew and no one offered Andrew's victims free gas. This gimme gimme gimme bs is getting crazy!!
Understand this: NOBODY is saying "give me free gas". This is merely to lessen the mile long lines for gas that are everywhere.
In Florida it rarely dips below 70 degrees. In the northeast it's close to freezing right now.
In Florida you have hurricanes regularly and are prepared. If you had a blizzard tomorrow, how would you fare?
You moron, what will they do with the gas, light part of their home on fire??? This is Maobama's Benghazi Katrina debacle......
Gasoline will power generators which will enable them to turn on their heat, jackass. Most homes in the northeast are oil heated. Electric motors turn the fan. Educate yourself.
Patriot-977598===Yeah your right! Katrina busted up my life and I got nothing free. Issac took away my power this year and we sat for 4 days with no lights. It was hot as hell and we still never got anything for nothing. Something to think about our power company placed a fee on our bills back in 2005 for Katrina repairs and that is still on our bills. I guess an Issac fee will be added to the next bill. Katrina was bad, hell all of them are bad but free gas, never happened down here.
There was a guy who before the storm of storms was building a boat in his yard. It took him a long time to finish it but all his neighbors laughed their azzes off.LOL. Then this dumbazz started putting animals in it and even his family started wondering about him. The storm came, the boat floated and he and his family were saved. His name was Noah and they say his boat fragments are on a mountain in Turkey. Are you still laughing? The Bible, believe all of it or none of it.
NamVeteran===Good shot, you got them all.
We had 4 hurricanes in FL in one season. We didn't get free gas. I think this is all about the election and getting Obama reelected. Bloomberg has enough money to start his own superpac. He should pay for the gas!!! And NJ is getting to vote online? I see fraud coming!!! In Ohio people were having to submit their votes 3 times to get it to count for Romney. It was automatically going to Obama!!! And you people talking about Fox (which I don't watch) guess what? A pew study has proven that MSNBC is far more biased than Fox!!!!
Can't we just blame this on W, sing praises to Hosanna Obama, and declare it mission accomplished.?
Some observations: I'm really concerned that Chris Mathews is not kneeling before Obama, bowing and praising his glory, or whatever he does when he kneels in front of Obama. The so called mainstream media would be all over this very negatively if their saviour Obama was not president. I see that the small stature, small minded, short Napoleon-esq Bloomberg got his foot pushed back down his a-cavity. And no marathond to pay for it all. Free gas, free food stamps, free welfare, free housing. Free to whom? Someone has to pay. Who? Not Obama, not small balls Bloomberg. You guessed it, the middle class working people. The same ones who's monetary status has dropped 8% in the last 4 years with stagnant wages and higher cost of living. No more for 44.
Sad that your partisanship blurs your every perception. I gues the REALITY at fox news or conservative radio speaks such honest truth to you. After Romney loses have a good time, you will at least have the internet to FREELY spout your partisan TRUTH.
Patriot1945===The middle class income has fallen by an estimated $4,000.00 a year. I wonder just how much more money we can lose. If this continues we will not have a middle class left. They are few and far between right now.
Governor of NY isn't big enough for Andrew Cuomo. He must be in line to be oresident.
Bob-1540553==He'll never get close to that job.
Bloomberg is a piece of work. Sure isn't the quality of a Giuliani... That's for sure.
Fred-3986128===He paid good money for that job.
Ok, I know a disaster has occurred, and we all need to pull together. But I really find it frustrating watching people who, as soon as the word that food or gas is out, all panic, run down and line up to get their first free 10 gallons. Come on. You can't tell me that every one of those cars are on empty. Park the doggone car for a day or two. How much are you burning, sitting in line trying to get your 10 gallons. You don't have to run out everytime you get board and burn another gallon of gas. Ration your car, and go when its an emergency until gas starts flowing again. My wife and I have a practice of never letting our cars go below 1/2 a tank, keeping the two cars full of gas, plus keeping 50 gallons in a drum for emergencies. If we all planned a little more, these bumps could smooth out. Even food. It frustrates me watching people rush down and clean stores out prior to a hurricane, as if they only have two cans of food in the house. Come on. A little planning, but an extra bag of beans, rice, cans of food each time you shop and keep it in the shelf for unplanned emergencies. No one goes hungry that quickly that a can of food wouldn't get you thru. In addition, why not have a few batteries, flashlight, camping stove, candles, etc. Nothing serious, but certainly handle a disaster. NYC out of electricity? Yes, real pain, and we all get bored with no TV, etc. We're going to see a lot more of these disasters happen, and should plan on our own instead of crying that the government isn't moving fast enough. People, I'm sorry a mess has happened for you, and I'm sure it'll be our turn next. But let's think instead of reacting.
It sounds a lot to me like the authorities do not have a clue as to what's going on. They are issuing statements which get people worked up and are not met. Free gas, but not now, wait an unknown period if you have even or odd plates too. GMAB. These people are more screwed up than those in New Orleans were. Slow learners one and all./
Tom Brown-5383541===Your right they were slow in New Orleans, real slow.
The screw up in New Orleans was Michael D. Brown and George Bush fault entirely, that is what happens when you put someone in the position that Michael D Brown was giving. Giving control of FEMA to someone who used to run Horse shows only because he help get Bush in office.
The screw up in New orleans was the Dem mayor and the dem governor.
No lefty the screw up in NO wasn't because of the Dems, it was because of Bush and FEMA...REPUBLICANS...
Were u there? Did u suffer? Do u know what the h*ll your talking about? NOT, so do not speak!!!!
I have made the mistake of reading through these posts after reading the article on msn.com. I have learned from my mistake as I will never read through posts on msn.com again.
The vitriol is beyond shameful. Thoughtless, selfish, unproven trash talk that goes on and on. My favorite: "New York State is a liberal based society. They were not prepared for the Storm because they expected the Federal Government to come in and saw no reason to get prepared."
When you open your mouth and spill such ignorance you show yourself to be the waste of a human being that you clearly are.
I live in New York City. I've lived in New York City for most of my life, save for a brief time that I lived in Buffalo, NY -- a city I will never return to. On Sunday evening, the night before Sandy was to hit landfall, there were lines around the block at many supermarkets and gas stations, as families prepared. You could not find batteries, milk, flashlights, etc., as they had already been sold. Yes, perhaps we should have been more prepared in advance as others who are more accustomed to living in hurricane-prone areas, but NO ONE expected the rage of Sandy. Perhaps as a cruel lesson, we will be more prepared in the future as these kind of storms will sadly become the norm in this part of the US.
Yes, it was GOVERNOR CUOMO who made the decision to provide fuel -- for free -- and as the article made clear, "to the first responders first, and for everyone else, a limit of 10 gallons." For those that have endlessly needlessly, SHAMEFULLY whined about the free gas they didn't get when Hurricane Whatever blew through their town, blame your own elected officials. The shroud of Katrina is over all of us and Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Cuomo and President Obama have consistently demonstrated their strong leadership -- unlike Mayor Nagin, Governor Blanco and then-President Bush.
I have been blessed to live in New York City for its strengths in the presence of abject horror: Hurricane Sandy. September 11. I was here for both and lived through both. Each time, I thought it was the end of the world. But still, this great city survives.
As a cabbie said to me a year or so after 9/11, NYC "holds." No matter what is thrown at her -- blackouts, hurricanes, terrorist attacks -- she still holds. The Statue of Liberty stands tall in New York Harbor, and looks out upon this great city as she "holds."
It is so easy to whine and complain from your own place of misery. For those than can, donate what you can, help in any way that you can. Or choose not to. But the endless whining, complaining and flat-out hatred is sorrowful.
Then you should have shopped earlier dufuss since it was sold out when you showed up. Lucky you do not live on Staten Island??? What would be best for the people of NY, real help or freebie gas?????????
The irony of you misspelling "doofus" is so thick you couldn't get through it with a plasma cutter.
niara===Your points are well taken and a lot of people will read your comment. As for the nastiness you see here and there are in the minority. The nasty comments are from those that never lived through are want to live through storms like this. One other point New York and the East Coast have been lucky in the past when it comes to storms. Since you brought up the subject a lot of people in the areas that have suffered through this just need to be patient help will come. It is always slow but it will come. Katrina taught a lot of us in New Orleans what to expect but people still go overboard. Human Nature rules the day.
Smokie you don't know anything and if they did learn anything from Katrina, that was 7 years ago, then why in the h*ll didn't the folks on the east coast do as they were told? Stupid people!
They could of helicoptered the gas into this mess,and then had points set up where people could of gotten it.They could of had portable pumps and generators to pump it. It's not rocket science!
They delivered gas back in the early 20th century with portable gas tanks.This gas shortage really didn't have to happen.There's plenty of gas to go around.It was all how it was handled!
The problem? You have Lunatics and Idiots running the show,and the biggest arrogant idiot is Bloomberg.He's the most self absorbed scumbag/power monger on this planet.
Actually I wouldn't want to be in a helo delivering gas. People tend to rush such deliveries of stuff and you're overwhelmed. Some helo's just take off as hundreds of crazed people will scare the sh*& out of you; now you're riding around with a cargo of gasoline. ugghh.
Gas shortage was going happen either way, people are panicking, still a lot of have no power. Power can come from generators and people need to get too work to pay the bills still. Even with all that it could not supply the demand.
Now just imagine, i live in New Rochelle, NY, 18 miles northeast of Manhattan and currently have a gas line outside of my apartment window, if you owned an ELECTRIC CAR. Alternatives to oil, coal and natural gas is going to be the future. I know that this is difficult for those that STILL are unwilling to acknowledge the reality that GLOBAL WARMING is HERE and is not going away in the near future and will only get worse. I just wish that those in the G.O.P. could think independently of the leadership of their party and listen to scientists with regards to global warming. The accusation of greed on the part of scientists is merely a projection of that greed that drives the oil, coal and natural gas industry to lie about the realities of global warming, because the recognition of global warming would be a threat to the future profits of their respective industries. It's frustrating to watch brilliant scientists driven by an existential quest for the pursuit of truth being accused of greed, lying and deception while the world's atmosphere continues to increase leves of CO2. Just think for yourself if you disagree with me and trust in scientists, they are not the ones DRIVEN by profits with regards to this issue. It's the industries that feel threatened that are driven by the very same greed that scientists are being accused of by industry and their political allies across the U.S. and the world, that are impeding societal progress on reforming energy policy. Just think of not having to rely on oil like everyone waiting on line for oil outside of my window as i write this. Not to mention the MONEY that would be saved to use for other things in life, without being a debtor to the oil industry. It's time to change America!
Your car battery does more environmental damage upon disposal than my gas guzzler could ever pump into the air.
Do lead batteries get recycled? The lead is valuable. Lead bullets and shotgun pellets do get pumped into the environment, i.e. wetlands and woodlands.
Burning one gallon of gasoline creates about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas.
Dale C. Anderson===Not today Dale!! The people don't need a lecture they need some help. Move on!!
tt, the lithium and chemicals in a modern battery have about the same effects as nuclear waste. They are also the same chemicals used in frakking. Its not lead poisioning from shotguns.
Treehugger fight! I counter with an oakleaf!
12 million gallons in a city of 8.2 million. How far did anybody think that was going to go? Yes, logic says it goes to first responders first. Makes perfect sense.
There are regulations that prohibit gasoline to be transported by air.
If they get the electricity back online the gas stations will work, why waste the millions in logistics of fuel transportation when thats all we need to do is wait a couple of days.
A whole bunch of 'global warming' is on its way. Should arrive in 24 hours. Go outside in your swimsuit, AL. uggh. "none so blind as he will not see" or feel? Oh, btw, how do you re-charge your electric car when there is no electricity? just wondrin'
Generator, I had plenty of gas too though, dad had a real love for dirt bikes.
The President did a good job and his warnings may have saved alot of lives.
As an Independent voter hes got my vote.
The military stepping in is a blessing,thank God.
EngineerScott===Gasoline for a vote seemed to work for you. Isn't that buying votes??
Burning one gallon of gasoline creates 20 pounds of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
tt_tiara==And the plants love the stuff. Plant a garden and start walking.
I have not owned a motor vehicle for over 5 years. I live near shops, employment, libraries, and movie theaters so I can walk and bicycle, or take a bus to a modern trolly system. I have a vegetable garden, too.
Plant growth is limited by genetics or some limiting resource like water or nutrients, so increasing carbon dioxide does not increase growth in the absence of say, water. Witness the debilitating drought in the mid-west and elsewhere.