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Subscribe to RSSThose who lost their homes during Hurricane Sandy are salvaging what they can from the wreckage, and trying to stay afloat financially as they cope with the aftermath of the storm. NBC's Ann Curry reports.
Updated at 11:24 p.m. ET: BREEZY POINT, N.Y. -- After waking up to several inches of snow and more than 200,000 new power outages, residents in areas battered by Superstorm Sandy on Thursday got back to the long-term work of rebuilding.
Miranda Leitsinger
Snow dusted debris outside homes Thursday in Breezy Point, a community in the Rockaways section of New York City.
"Patience is the name of the game here," said Joseph Murray in Breezy Point, where snow from the nor’easter dusted the New York City community destroyed last week by flooding and a fire.
Families here on Thursday continued efforts to save their waterlogged homes from mold, with some piling items on the layer of snow in 40-degree weather.
New York City and Long Island will begin rationing gas to relieve frustration and long lines at the pump, NBCNewYork.com reported. The rationing does not apply to emergency vehicles, taxis or individual gas cans.
Murray, 27, was at his family’s home after sanitation workers cleared out their pile of garbage, leaving three salvageable nightstands and a lamp standing outside.
"Be patient with Mother Nature because she doesn’t care about any of us," was how Murray rationalized the bizarre bouts of weather. "Let her do her thing and then when she’s ready to let you do your thing, she will."
Cleanup crews already overextended from Hurricane Sandy are working around the clock to clear snow that recently fell across the region, causing more people to lose power. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports.
Murray did have an eye on Friday’s weather forecast, noting that "it’s going to be 60 degrees, this is all going to melt."
By late Thursday, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island had their power fully restored. New York and New Jersey saw a drop in the number of customers affected by the nor'easter. Now about 60,000 customers are without power between the two states because of the storm; more than half a million remain without power total in the two states, including outages caused by Sandy.
West Virginia, however, has struggled to bring power customers back online.
The overnight nor’easter boasted wind gusts of more than 50 mph and dropped heavy snow on already-weakened tree limbs, leading to new power outages.
In New Jersey alone, 167,000 homes and businesses lost power overnight, Gov. Chris Christie said Thursday. "This sets us back about a day" in terms of getting all power restored, he added.
"We're right back to the same situation," Kirk Walker of Hackensack, N.J., told NBCNewYork.com after power went out for the third time at his home since Sandy struck.
"They said it was gonna be a rough winter," Walker added. "Sign of things to come, I guess."
Officials there on Thursday said they had convinced the local utility to scrap its policy requiring that each home without power be inspected before power is restored, Newsday.com reported.
With the new outages, some 700,000 customers were without power across the Northeast around midday. That number was reduced to some 600,000 by early evening.
Are you left in the lurch after Sandy?
Record snowfall totals were recorded across the area:
- New York’s Central Park received 4.4 inches of snow on Wednesday -- a record for a Nov. 7 and the earliest 4-inch total in the park's history, NBCNewYork.com reported. By Thursday morning the total had reached 4.7 inches.
- Newark, N.J., got 6 inches by Thursday -- more snow in 24 hours than during any previous November on record.
- Bridgeport, Conn., received 3.5 inches of snow, beating the Nov. 7 record of 2 inches set in 1953.
Some areas inland got 12 to 13 inches of snow.
"This is a classic nor'easter," NBC meteorologist Al Roker said on TODAY, "just very early."
PhotoBlog: Hot meals on Staten Island
Conditions were still miserable Thursday morning. In New York City, winds were around 25 mph and it was 36 degrees with showers forecast before sunny skies on Friday.
In New Jersey, parts of which saw 9 inches of snow, police said ice and snow contributed to the deaths of two people in a car whose driver was speeding, NBCPhiladelphia reported.
Two people also died in Connecticut in traffic accidents attributed to snow, The Associated Press reported.
Full NBC coverage of Sandy's aftermath
Hundreds were evacuated ahead of the nor'easter, some because of flooding fears and others due to post-Sandy logistics.
John Makely / NBC News
Medeleine Dobriner was moved by the Red Cross to the Manresa Jesuit Center shelter on Staten Island so that her earlier shelter, a school, could reopen.
Medeleine Dobriner of New Dorp on Staten Island was among the latter -- having to move because her shelter was in a school that was reopening.
"This is my third shelter and usually change is good," Dobriner, 66, told NBC News, "but not in this case."
Throughout the region, people wore coats indoors as they endured yet another night without heat.
"I thought I was lucky when power was restored last Thursday, but last night it went out again," said Michael Platt, an electrician from Toms River, N.J., who estimated a foot of snow fell in his area. "The kids have been home for nearly two weeks and I'm not working, and when I'm not working I'm not making any money. This hasn't been easy."
"Can you believe this? Enough is enough," added Cindy Casey, whose Belle Harbor home one block from the beach in the Rockaways was swamped by Sandy, as she looked out at the snow blanketing the neighborhood devastated by flooding and fire.
Some of those who had weathered Sandy told NBCNewYork.com they felt like a cruel joke was being played on them.
"Kind of laughing about it at this point," said Danny Arnedos, of Oyster Bay, Long Island. "To go from a hurricane to a nor'easter and driving in the snow in 10 days is pretty unbelievable."
"I am waiting for the locusts and pestilence next," New Jersey Gov. Christie said Wednesday.
Coastal flooding proved minimal, but commuter bus and train services were disrupted by the storm, with the Long Island Rail Road briefly shutting down all operations to the city's eastern suburbs on Wednesday night.
Gasoline remained in short supply in the New York City area, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday announced rationing based on odd and even number license plates.
Official: NY disaster chief fired over tree removal
Airports saw 1,600 canceled flights on Wednesday due to the storm. Some 600 more flights were scratched Thursday, according to the flight tracking service FlightAware. The majority of those are in the New York area.
The losses from Superstorm Sandy are still rough, but New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday he had seen a report estimating $50 billion in damage and economic losses across the region, with $33 billion in New York state.
"That's a staggering number," he said.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
A snowstorm hits the Northeast as residents are still struggling to pick up the pieces after Superstorm Sandy.
NBC's John Makely as well as Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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- Nor'easter threatens 'flying debris,' up to foot of snow in Sandy's wake
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yes the election is over. Now...where is Obama? The tragedy is still going on. He ought to be acting presidential and get up there and get his hands dirty (God forbid) and help out. Take his "beautiful" wife with him and let her dish out some nutritious food for these people. Can his kids do anything besides vacation? They should put in an appearance too. Pull together. All our national resources ought to be focused on getting these people some relief. I'll bet it's nice and cozy in the White House.
And if he does put in an appearance you'll just accuse him of grandstanding. You're only fooling yourself.
These are the same people who mocked and criticized Paul Ryan for washing dishes at a soup kitchen.
I have always considered myself an American first. That is also what I expect from our political leaders of both parties even though it rarely happens. As a volunteer fire fighter and search and rescue volunteer I work for everyone regardless of political orientation. It is bad enough that politicians loose their souls by their antics, but let's not loose ours.
well put olddog.
Apparently some of you are unaware of the fact that FEMA is also in charge of the National Flood Insurance Program. After Sandy, they're busy. And you can put several powerful Anglo Saxon expletives in front of the word "busy" without exaggerating.
LMAO.. yep so busy they closed their offices due to weather!
Massachussets and Maine passed same sex marriage laws--coincidence?
Let it snow, let it snow, let is snow. Please, Please, Please do not donate, the government
will do it with OUR tax money already
And our national guard needs to be with them not fighting some made up war in Afgan. I suspect our troops would prefer help our people than waiting to be killed by a "friendly" afgan
i bet everyone 1000 bucks that opra winfrey will have her black ass in 2016
You are one racist PIG!!
America is one SICK country. Half of these demons are happy with what is happening to their compatriots!! Can we expect that she-devil Bachmann to be throwing a party to celebrate the storm??? The northeast WILL survive this but you that gloated, care for your families...
Listen to Kwiss Matthews lately???? Limpwrist.....
After four years of class warfare, race baiting and geo-political insults propagated to win re-election.. you no longer have a Country. You have a divided mass of people under a big government style you supported.
The only insults you are seeing is the ones you waged against the other half of the Country. This nation is divided more than ever before, far worse than the 60s. This was the price you paid to keep control of the White House. You lied, slandered, covered up, blamed others, etc. Didn't your mother ever tell you the story about the "Boy who Cried Wolf."
Do not worry, they are union slugs and will not miss any breaks or vacations and there is no fear that they will work "too hard" either. LOL
Apparently they people in NJ and NY are so slammed by the storm they are not getting the news. Understandable.... been there done that. However with all of the stories coming out of that area about FEMA, unions, and Hollywood it makes you wonder if these people are really in a disaster or insane.
"I am glad that storm hit" Chris Matthews, MSNBC
All along you were nothing more than a pawn to sway an election. It worked, now the big government you loved turned its back on you. Wish the best.
Come to NJ and say that you putz! we are all helping our neighbors and taking are of ourselves. you'd be the first to whine if you were slightly inconvenienced and had to help yourself. Go back to your window and watch for the mail that has your welfare check and food stamps.
It's inconceivable that there are so many who are glad we are suffering in NJ. Are there any human beings out there.
Go back to your window and watch for the mail that has your welfare check and food stamps.
Sorry but people like me have to work so people like you don't have to. Why would anyone want to come to Jersey for anything. I guess it is true that people in Jersey suffer from an inferiority complex brought on by their close association to NYC. Were you born in Jersey or deported there?
Apparently from the news reports there are no human beings in Jersey. Looting, violence, burglary, high prices, gouging, union/mob kickbacks.
Sorry brother but you cannot help a man who is intent on drowning. He will just try and drown you with him.
So all you liberals in the Northeaast who voted for continued government handouts are now seeing obamma's government ignore you! GOOD! You got what you wished for! I have zero sympathy for you.
Where do you come up with such nonsense? FEMA is fully engaged, on the ground, but the damage is widespread and there is much work to do.
President Obama has done an exemplary job on this - Governor Christie has told us this.
Thanks again to both of them for collaborating together on disaster cleanup - it is appreciated.
As someone who lived through hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which were three weeks apart (and two of the strongest storms to hit the US on record (Rita being the stronger of the two)) you learn to do without the "comforts of civilization" without whining.
Thanks, Ed. At least there is someone out there who understands. i cannot believe the idiots who are happy we here in NJ are in trouble. Are there any other humans out there. I guess the real humans are out of power and we are making do without stupid inane comments.
We aren't happy about it PAT but you only accept assistance based on your terms. If you are still suffering this long after the storm than take a look at the news. Who is running things up there? Are they insane.
You will not accept donations from any company that is not PC, especially Walmart? Salvation Army can only be there if they are under the auspices of the ARC? Volunteers have been turned around PAT, you can deny but it has happened.
So if you need assistance, talk to your local leaders. This response makes the Katrina Disaster look like a cake walk.
I find it hard to listen to all the negativity on these posts, I know I can choose to NOT read them but this is why our country is in the situation it is today!!! It seems to me regardless who is President, there will always be people who are against them. I personally feel there is NO ONE in Washington today who actually know how the majority of us live each day. I am a senior citizen still working, hoping someday to retire. I pay my bills, save a little each month and rely on only me to take care of myself. We have successfully raised five kids and have seven grandchildren who are all productive adults in today's world. No one in Washington will ever know us or even pretend to know us BUT we have supported them financially our whole life and I am personally getting tired of it!!!
The 1950s were a turbulent decade when it comes to weather. Hot summers, drought, cold winters, east coast hurricanes, brutal winter storms.
Two different meteorologists have demonstrated a parallel to our current weather and the weather of the 1950s. The Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation appears to be the key.
http://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/joe-bastardi-show-parallels-to-the-1950s-and-tells-us-what-to-expect-looking-forward/
http://icecap.us/index.php/go/new-and-cool/its_the_amo_stupid1/
So if someone today says that things like this used to never happen tell them they aren't looking hard enough at historical data.
Then ask them if tropical storm Irene and post tropical cyclone Sandy (never bigger than Cat 1) were caused by man then how did nature produce three Cat 3 east coast hurricanes in 1954? One of those hitting during a full moon and combining with a cold front just like Sandy.
Individual years are anomolous. What you have to look at is the overall trends. You flip a coin 1,000,000 times, you're going to get 50% heads, out to at least 5 places. However, you ca still get tails 15 times in a row.
Deal with it. Some winters are worse than others. And if you're complaining about the power situation, too bad. Your incredulous "leaders" up there didn't accept our NON-UNION help! Tough !
NBC, I just hope you know that if there are SO MANY ADS on your site that I ACTUALLY CANNOT READ THE ARTICLE, then I will stop visiting altogether. You do know that, don't you....?
Global cooling here we come.
Take your obamaphone and call 1600 Pennsylania Ave in Washington DC and the your messiah there that you need his and big government's help. Tell him you want an all expense paid vacation to somewhere warm until he fixes your house, heating, electric, water, and takes away all the snow. Just tell him you deserve it and I am sure he will get right on your problem. While you are at it you can ask him why the FEMA center in NYC is closed due to the bad weather when they are the ones that are supposed to be helping others during bad weather. You voted for him, you keep him.
NBC, I hope you are aware that if there are SO MANY ADS on your site that I ACTUALLY CANNOT READ THE ARTICLE... then I will stop visiting. You do know that, don't you.....?
O/B had his photo Op with Chris Cristie and now he could care less! With the election over he can go back to all the B//S that he has done for the last 4 yrs,which Is Nothing. To all fo you In the N/east I truly wish god's blessing on you and your faimily. At some time I am hoping that Fema will respont and really get you the help you so desperately Need. graylion11
Lionel Gray: FEMA has been fully engaged from the day after Sandi hit my state. Thanks for caring, but you seem to be unaware that they are here and working closely with their director, the president, and the major players on the ground.
Who cares about people on the East Coast, just a bunch of arrogant smucks.
Same as the west coast
same us you
I care about the people but I will never understand why anyone would voluntarily stay in the face of a hurricane. My family and I leave when they are anywhere near headed our way. Since we got stuck in traffic in 1999, we do not wait until ordered to leave, we leave. I know some who are suffering in the Northeast could not leave for various reasons and those are the ones I feel for. For those that could have left and chose not to, I hope the government sends them a bill for their rescue.
Where is Daddy Bloomberg and little Andy Coumo? Oh, I know, I'll bet they are making sure that the survivors are not drinking 32 oz colas as that could lead to health issues. We are now seeing first hand the cradle to grave society the dems want for the country in action. I'll bet daddy bloomberg is warm and with plenty of food. I feel bad for the people, but you get the government you vote for.
This should be a lesson for all people who believe in big government it doesn't do anything for the people or help in natural disasters. Fema should be run by people who want to help out aka normal American volunteers who do it cause they want to help out their fellow country man yet big government and unions block these people wanting to give up their own time to help out. Before arriving in the US I was a local volunteer and dealt with many disaster efforts where all people helping were people doing it off their own accord and as a result the area was cleaned up and brought back to a liveable state in a very quick time. On many occasions the equivalent of the governor would get on local radio/tv and ask people to come out with the shovel/ etc and assist and droves would turn out to help whether it be helping with the cleanup, preparing meals for those displaced, helping displaced with housing, or taking them into their own homes etc.
Yep the correct way. Usually at less than half the cost and twice as fast as without government "assistance". People act as if a natural disaster never happened before 1979, the start of the man made disaster named FEMA.
Where is NoBama in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy??? Much worse than the Katrina debacle...and NO HELP
They call a few inches of snow a"snow storm"- what's next ?
It is when you do not have any heat and power. Go flip the switch on your breaker box and try it.
I just get my power back, but what I'm saying is that there were no snow storm just couple of inches drop down and was not windy like they say it would be, media just scaring people.