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Subscribe to RSSTowns in New Jersey scrambled to prepare for their first major winter storm not long after Hurricane Sandy destroyed huge swaths of coastline. NBC's Katy Tur reports.
Updated at 1 a.m. ET: Snow fell on damaged homes and debris piles in parts of the New York City area as a nor'easter moved in Wednesday, causing new power outages and calls for evacuations.
By Wednesday night, the winds had caused more than 100,000 new power outages in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, the U.S. Energy Department stated. That brought the total number to 715,000, most of those remaining from Superstorm Sandy, which made landfall in New Jersey on Oct. 29.
Throughout the Tri-state area, people wore coats indoors as they endured yet another night without heat. Some of those who had weathered Sandy told NBC New York on Wednesday they were petrified.
"It's like a sequel to a horror movie," said James Alexander, a resident of the hard-hit Rockaway Peninsula. "Here we are, nine days later — freezing, no electricity, no nothing, waiting for another storm."
Alexander's home was spared when Sandy hit, but homes around him burned to the ground, and the boardwalk near his home was washed out to sea.
"They said it would be a rough winter," he noted to NBC New York.
One local resident refuses to be driven out by the latest storm, a combo of snow and rain that is threatening areas already ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports.
About 1,200 flights were canceled across the Northeast, while residents of a few areas hit hardest by Superstorm Sandy last week were urged to evacuate in case of new flooding. Long Island Rail Road service was also suspended before 7 p.m. because of weather-related signal problems, NBC New York reported.
A punishing nor'easter is expected to dump snow on storm-battered New York and New Jersey. NBC's Jay Gray reports.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg directed police to use their patrol car loudspeakers to warn the 20,000 to 30,000 residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate. In Belle Harbor, in Queens, police patrolled the streets, advertising a warming shelter. Officers found that most had left their homes to stay with family, NBC New York reported.
In Toms River, N.J., residents of nearby barrier island communities lashed out at the city council because they had not been allowed to return to their homes since before Sandy hit.
Said one resident at a city council meeting: "These people need to understand it's our island, it's our home, and we need to defend it like it's a castle."
The snow from the latest Nor'easter is expected to continue through midnight before finally winding down in the early hours of Thursday morning. NBC's Janice Huff reports.
The nor'easter, dubbed "Athena" by The Weather Channel, could produce strong gusts that could also turn up piled debris from Sandy into projectiles. (Last month, The Weather Channel announced it will name noteworthy winter storms in an effort to “better communicate the threat and the timing of the significant impacts that accompany these events.")
"One of the bigger concerns ... would be the debris that's been piled up from all the residences and the businesses," Kevin O'Hara, police chief in Point Pleasant, N.J., told The Weather Channel.
From weather.com: Storm's city-by-city forecasts
"With winds picking up to 30-, 40-, 50-mile-per-hour gusts," he added, "our fear is that if people are out and about they could be hit by flying debris. We would urge people to stay in their houses, stay home, and let the storm pass."
The Long Island Power Authority dedicated more than 12,000 workers to restoring power to its customers -- 8,000 of those workers were linemen and tree trimming crews from around the country, including some who had been airlifted in by the National Guard.
Sea Bright, N.J., is among the areas fearing new flooding on Wednesday. Katy Tur reports.
Snow storms are unusual at this time of year in the New York area. Snowfall had never previously been recorded at Islip, N.Y., Kennedy and LaGuardia airports.
Central Park recorded 2.8 inches of snowfall, beating the 1878 record of 0.1 inches. Bridgeport, Conn., saw 3.5 inches, breaking the former record of 2.0 inches set in 1953. In Newark, N.J., 2.0 inches fell; trace amounts had been recorded in 1981.
"It's not a massive nor'easter by winter standards," said Weather Channel expert Tom Niziol, "but at this time of year immediately after Sandy's wrath and destruction, this isn't what we want."
"Mother Nature is not cutting us a break along the East Coast," he said.
As the day cooled into night, The Weather Channel forecast three inches of snow in Philadelphia with wind gusts over 30 mph, a combination of wet snow and wind in New Jersey, and snowfall totals of six to 12 inches in southeastern New York and New England.
NBCNewYork.com's coverage of nor'easter
In New York, Bloomberg expected up to three inches of snow. He said no new flooding occurred along the city's coastal areas "through the first and most dangerous cycle of high tide" on Wednesday afternoon.
Bloomberg had ordered three nursing homes and an adult care facility evacuated Tuesday from Queens' vulnerable Rockaway Peninsula. About 620 residents were moved.
Fearing winds could down more trees, the city also closed all parks, playgrounds and beaches at noon Wednesday, and ordered all construction sites to be secured.
Airlines cancel flights ahead of nor'easter
Sandy killed more than 100 people, mainly in New York City and New Jersey, and left more than 8 million homes and businesses without power.
John Makely / NBC News
Postal carrier Kenneth Henn delivers mail in the evacuated section of Belmar, N.J., on Tuesday as earth moving machines pile sand along the beach.
Fearing looters, Alex Ocasio told The Associated Press that he planned to ride out the latest storm in his first-floor Rockaway apartment — even after seeing cars float by his front door during Sandy.
As the water receded during Sandy, men dressed in dark clothes broke down the door and were surprised to find him and other residents inside, he said.
Full NBC coverage of Sandy's aftermath
"They tried to say they were rescue workers, then took off," he said.
He put up a handmade sign — "Have gun. Will shoot U" — outside his apartment and started using a bed frame to barricade the door. He has gas, so he keeps the oven on and boils water to stay warm at night.
"It gets a little humid, but it's not bad," he said. "I'm staying. Nothing can be worse than what happened last week."
NBC's Isolde Raftery, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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- Underwear needed for Staten Island victims of Sandy, official says
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Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
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How's FEMA working out for you guys...
I feel sorry for the individuals who are suffering and will suffer more, but you guys voted for big government, so ask them for the help and don't expect any donations from me...
Find a warn place and bunker down. For those of you who still have a home after Sandy that is. I'm sure Obama will take another photo opt with Christie. And how good did the last photo opt do you guys???
That is, after he takes his first of many vacation in his second term...
... wow ... such hatefulness for fellow-americans ... can't hand the VICTORY ?????? ... finally understand the republicans .. it wasn't just Obama they hated .. it was america ..........
... prayers to all those affected by the storm ... be safe ....
"I am so glad we had that storm" Chris Matthews MSNBC
Sounds to me like you should be celebrating the disaster with Chris Matthews. After all, obama was more important to you than your fellow Americans. So who hates America now?
hey blue, obama won nothing. this country is more split than ever. we are now in more gridlock than ever. our debt is worse than ever. i am upset about the election because i pay alot of taxes even though i make less than 175,000.00 with a family of four. i worked 70-80 hours a week for 15 years. my kids do not qualify for college aid or scholarships because we make to much. but in reality i make as much as a lawnservice who does not report their true earnings to the government. my children do not qualify for scholarships or grants because their parents make too much despite being in the top 10% of their class. i missed seeing my kids while the welfare class got a free ride and saw their kids daily. this is wrong and i as well as others have a right to be angry.
Chris mathews represents the half that won the election last night. We have to get used to it. They think this way and all for power. They show us time and time again they never really care about the victims or the people as they proclaim they do...
"I am so glad we had that storm" Chris Matthews, MSNBC
another will be here soon, have a nice day.
Ehh...I'm sure some politician somewhere will use your misery to their advantage again....AND you'll follow them once again. Sheep...nothing but sheep.
Good luck BTW. Maybe it won't be as bad as they are predicting.
I see where the storm is headed are all blue states.........too bad!!! Wait for obama to help you...photo ops are over.........you are not going to see him again. Help is a long way off.
I am heartbroken and humbled at what this storm has done to my fellow NY'ers and Jersey neighbors. There, but for the grace of God...oh my. I will do what I can do to help. This is awful. I realize I sound foolish, but - I'm stunned at the damage this storm has done. These poor people..who cares what their political persuasion, ethnicity or belief is. Stop being mean spirited - not the forum.
Yankee,
I don't think you sound foolish for being stunned by the damage, or foolish for anything you said. I am stunned by the complete lack of empathy from so many human beings. The utter intense meanness and cruelty spoken about those who are suffering and have lost so much, seems to get worse with every disaster. To those of you who are suffering, please know you are in the thoughts and prayers of many. In another story, a plea was made for undergarments. Basics we all need, and a drive has been set up in a city in my area, to get the needed garments and cash for what is needed, sent that direction from the Midwest. It's a small project,(there are many others) but I know that for any negative thoughts out there, there are 10 fold more, that are good and heartfelt. I know, I always want to hope humans do well unto/by each other, but the un-empathetic comments are overwhelming. Try to pay no mind to them. I can tell you, all of you who are affected by this disaster, are thought of by my family, and by the good people of the Midwest. Take care...
glad to see this happen to those in ny/nj, now lets see how the man they voted to put back into the white house reacts to all this bad happening to them, my guess they will very disappointed.
My prayers, heart, and concern goes out to all the people in New Jersey and New York who are still suffering from the destruction of Sandy and now have to contend with the harsh cold weather of winter. Times are hard, but hopefully will get better soon. My best wishes to all of them.
Thank you from NJ. instead of turning this into a political fight fest, at least someone out there cares for her fellow humans enough to wish us the best. The rest of the hate mongers should take a lesson from Linda.
Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow
Obama save the northerns, right.
people, stop donating to the sandy cause. let all the rich ass's who want to be taxed more give their millions to the cause, save your money. trust me , your gonna need it later. im sure bruce springsteen has more than enough money in his bank account to help out since he gets government money for his very small lama farm.
let bama give his election campaign money to the people of New York New Jersey Pennsylvania and DC and anywhere else that sandy destroyed and now they get snow ROFLMAO i can't afford to donate because i have to save my money for health care taxes and other things that the government is wanting to take from me..... you voted for him now ask him for help and keep paying $30.00 a gallon gor gas and get used to it because gas is going to be higher during the next 4 years so freeze your cans off if you are under 18years old i feel for you but can't help because of your parents
Thank God our president was re-elected! With him and FEMA, you'll be taken care of!
hmmm, you think?....obama's tab with china may be running out, what will happen when china comes knocking on our doors looking for their money......hmmmm, can you say government takeover or perhaps WW3.
are you high. he has a 30 day window. bp took that long before obumer reacted.
Our country is getting what is should get when it turns away for GOD, Weather and politics
god supports pedophiles.
you should feel safe knowing god supports you as a pedophile
That was a stupid comment, Scott... did god make you that way, or are you just retarded?
think about your stupid comment before commenting on mine idiot.
Ah, you're retarded then. That answers that.
I posted this up above, let me re-post it here twice for those who seem to hate the good among us while trying to build upon hate to divide us from helping each other.
You are truly disgusting people, no agreement required.
If you cannot find it in your hearts to help us pull together for each-other then go back to FOX or RUSH to live with the rest of the bottom dwellers. If you cannot be helpful or act like a Cristy , we do not want you. We have work to do so just get the F**K out of the way!!!
**************************************************************************
When will blade find out who the true helpers are and who the true screw'ers of society (as in socialism,the other name for society) are.
He hates the white hats who would be the only ones willing to help him while seemingly giving the green light to the black hats. Their only desire is to come in and give him another round of their love and devotion before going forth to rob and rape the next hapless soul.
I find that far to many of the connected Neo Cons will see you as food if you have any visible weakness. They will simply eat you and spit out anything they cannot absorb as useless.
That is truly Biological and probably a Mitt'ism
Like the sound of your own voice, also?
Its looks like this man in the picture above is digging in the trash not going through clothes and such. You really aspect for me to believe the bs you mainstream prepuates I tired of you lying about things that are so apparent to see I feel bad for these guys dont expect FEMA to help you rely on each other the most you can. This is a sad story them treating people like animals. Slaves dont deserve help God help us !!
OMG I have never heard such ugliness out of another human as I have out of Honest American. He/she wishes the death and destruction of other human beings...I did not fight for 20 years in the US Air Force, nor does my son in the US Army for the likes of you, someone who calls themselves an American, your a POS!!!
Obama will decrease the size of the armed forces. He wants them also to pay for a lot of there health care. In today's world we need a military force that is stronger then ever.
Hea yanks, all is well . Your precious savior will take care of you. You get what you deserve, enjoy it.
You are a jerk! Wishing disasters on others. Go back to the swamp you crawled out of. And if you don't like the results of the election, go move somewhere else. I hear Iran is nice this time of year.
gary, walk southwest for about 844 miles.
You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant
I cannot understand your comments for you are the Eye of the storm in Texas with tornado's, hurricanes and monsoon like rains?
The North East wrath of god for reelecting Obama.
Another jerk. Go move to Iran with gary. If he's from Texass, he gets what deserves because they keep reelecting that moron Perry as governor. Karma is a bitch. You thoughts and bad wishes will come back and bite you on your putrid a$$ one day
Pat, Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.
You stupid idiots have been conned again, idiots never learn. lol
lol?
You be to self-descriptive!
Well Maobama won't need to sneak away from this storm to campaign, like with Sandy. Now he'll show what a real "leader" he is. God save us.
I check you for your god save us comment. You no god believe. You be Satan facilitator and do such great job. Demon say our father praise they.
I posted this up above, let me re-post it here twice for those who seem to hate the good among us while trying to build upon hate to divide us from helping each other.
You are truly disgusting people, no agreement required.
If you cannot find it in your hearts to help us pull together for each-other then go back to FOX or RUSH to live with the rest of the bottom dwellers. If you cannot be helpful or act like a Cristy , we do not want you. We have work to do so just get the F**K out of the way!!!
**************************************************************************
When will blade find out who the true helpers are and who the true screw'ers of society (as in socialism,the other name for society) are.
He hates the white hats who would be the only ones willing to help him while seemingly giving the green light to the black hats. Their only desire is to come in and give him another round of their love and devotion before going forth to rob and rape the next hapless soul.
I find that far to many of the connected Neo Cons will see you as food if you have any visible weakness. They will simply eat you and spit out anything they cannot absorb as useless.
That is truly Biological and probably a Mitt'ism
Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.
obama's tab with china may be running out, what will happen when china comes knocking on our doors looking for their money......hmmmm, can you say government takeover or perhaps WW3.
Then you'd better get busy with your bomb shelter, hadn't you?
Chop-chop!!!
its apparent you dont give a damn about your country, your just another moocher all about yourself.
people, stop donating to the sandy cause. let all the rich ass's who want to be taxed more give their millions to the cause, save your money. trust me , your gonna need it later. im sure bruce springsteen has more than enough money in his bank account to help out since he gets government money for his very small lama farm.
If you cannot find it in your hearts to help us pull together for each-other then go back to FOX or RUSH to live with the rest of the bottom dwellers. If you cannot be helpful or act like a Cristy , we do not want you. We have work to do so just get the F**K out of the way!!!
I JUST HAD AN EPIPHANY THAT MAYBE THEY SHOULD STAY. AFTER ALL, IF THEIR VILE HATRED AND ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOR HAD NOT BEEN OUT THERE WE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE VOTES TO RE-ELECT THE PRESIDENT. ANOTHER ELECTION CYCLE IS JUST STARTING AND WE NEED TO REMOVE AS MANY OBSTRUCTIONISTS AS POSSIBLE TO A BETTER WAY OF LIFE IN TWO MORE YEARS.
just think buddy, 2016 your black ass muslim will be gone from the white house, your socialist president who driving this country into the ditch will be gone, what ever will you do?
Just think, Scott, Hillary will be our next president.
Whatever will YOU do? ;-0
impossible, she isnt black nor a muslim.
Oh Scott..
You said the BLACK word..and the MUSLIM too... You will forever be branded as a teabagging,evanglistic, right wing nut job..Damn
No problem. My wallet is closed to you left wing nuts. Let the goverment take care of you.
If only I were a left wing nut, I'd now be set..
Absolutely amazing! In just 11 years we have turned from a united country outraged over the attacks that left over 3,000 of our fellows citizens dead to a terrorist attack on American soil to people who believe that suffering and death of our neighbors is okay because of their political alliance or geographical location. I have read it here on News Vine and other forums through tornado outbreaks, hurricanes, and now Nor'easters. What is wrong with you? So what? I voted for Romney. I did not like the way that I feel that the President is steering the country. I disagree with the Health Care Law. I believe that the deadlock in Congress could have been addressed better by the Executive Branch. But, at no time, have I wished for people to suffer or die just because they do not agree with my political beliefs.
If what is written on this forum is indicative of the path the country is taking, we are doomed. The quote, "If we do not hang together, we will hang separately.", comes to mind. We have very serious problems in this country that will not be solved by political idiology. It will be solved by pooling our intellectual resources, and by moving forward for the good of the people and the nation. It will take people of good will willing to look past this rediculus notion that just because we can do something, that we should do it without weighing the consequences of our actions. Seldom is the far left or far right beneficial for the greater good, but focuses on the betterment of those in which are in the extreme. The extreme left will tell you that the environment must be protected at the expense of human well-being, the rich must be sacrificed for the benifit of the poor, or that everyone should be made equal by making the equally dependent upon the government for their well-being. The extreme right will have you believe that dominance by a secular government that dictates the way that you live your life is preferrable even at the expense of the freedom from religion provided by the Constitution, or that the rich have your well-being in mind as they pollute so that they can increase they profits. I would suggest that a middle ground which is beneficial to the greatest number of our citizens if better that either extreme, and if we do not start working together as a country, not a political action group, that we will not see better times, and my find ourselves in decline as a nation, and as a people.
For those of my neighbors that live in the Northeastern United States, I sincerely send you my hopes for better days, and that your lives return to normal as quickly as possible.
Thank you.
If you don't want to help those who have suffered through Sandy and who may get hit again by Athena, then don't. If you want to blame someone or something for this, try global warming or climate change, or whatever you want to call it. It's the weather, dammit, and the fact is, it's been building up to this for decades, so there's a whole lotta blame to go round where that's concerned. I just don't see what good it does to point fingers at anyone at a time like this.