October 29 - Monday
I recall the summer of 2003 when the entire Northeast went
dark due to a power grid failure. It was about 4:00 pm and shortly thereafter,
my brother-in–law was on his way to pick me up. However, that plan was foiled
because he was not allowed entry to any road close to the Lincoln Tunnel, so I
was stuck, for the duration, in West New York, New Jersey by myself. It was an opportunity for me to meet
some of my neighbors, as everyone was outside, walking around and gathering in
the various parks along Boulevard East.
Once the sun went down, it became quite eerie. The New York
City skyline, which is usually brilliantly lit, was dark with only a few
emergency lights visible in the buildings. I was without electricity for less than 24 hours, mine
restored the following morning.
I would’ve preferred being with my family, but at least I
was able to get outside and wander about. Today, that is not a possibility. I
am alone in my apartment, waiting out Hurricane Sandy and a Northeaster. I am
feeling isolated because I am stuck indoors. I could’ve gone to my sister’s
home yesterday, but I couldn’t get myself motivated to pull belongings together
and get on a train. Thankfully, my friends on Facebook are staying in contact
with me, as long as I continue to be able to access the Internet, which as of
now, I can. Plus I have my journal so will document my day in those pages and here.
It is 11:59 a.m.
and the storm is intensifying. The
forecasters had originally predicted winds of up to 70-75 mph, but now it
appears they could top 90 mph at the peak of the storm, and those winds are
said to be at skyscraper levels. I am on the 10th floor of my building
(not a skyscraper), so I removed all objects—pictures, candles, fans—that are
in front of my windows, in case there should be any breakage. As the winds increase,
I’ll need to close my blinds. I like to see what’s going on outside, but should
a window break the blinds will stop some of the glass from shattering into the
apartment.
I have water in my bathtub and in some large pans and three
gallons of purified drinking water in my refrigerator as well as iced tea; a
flashlight and candles (though they tell us not to use candles); and my iPhone
and computer remain plugged in and charged. If the electricity should go out, I
want them fully charged and will have to use the phone sparingly. Fortunately, I am not in a low-lying
area, so flooding isn’t one of my concerns. High winds and possible power
outages are what my area will experience. If there isn’t a power outage, I will
be extremely happy.
At this time, there really isn’t a huge amount of storm
activity in my area, aside from some heavy winds now and again, so the threat
of the storm doesn’t feel so inevitable, though I know it is. Watching the
news, I see that the worst of the storm is expected to hit NYC and northern NJ,
exactly where I live. The sky that
was gray earlier is now white.
Time to eat lunch.
1:04 pm – The
news is reporting the lowest barometric pressure ever recorded for a storm like
this – 943. High tide will
coincide with the peak time of this storm later today, which means coastal
areas are going to get hit hard with flooding. The storm is predicted to be at
its strongest when it hits land. Plus it is the largest hurricane ever in the
Northeast. I just looked outside, and the sky is getting even whiter and there
is less visibility to the west. New Jersey is already reporting over 32,000
people without power, over 2,500 in NYC.
1:50 pm –
Hurricane Sandy is about 3-4 hours from making landfall. There is now an extreme threat level
along the North Atlantic coast. The gusting winds are expected to bring down
tree branches and cause widespread power outages.
I find it disturbing that there are still so many people out
in this weather, looking at the waves and flood areas as if this is a benign
and amusing phenomenon. It is dangerous and they are not only putting their
lives at risk, but also those of emergency responders. It’s irresponsible and careless. At some point, emergency responders
will not be able to help them nor will they be required to assist until after
the worst of the storm system has subsided.
One of my biggest fears of being outside when it is very
windy is that objects can get disconnected from buildings or tree branches fall
off. These can land on a person, not only hurting them, but killing them. We
hear about scenarios such as this all the time. It’s a morbid thought, I know, but it’s what I think about
during severe weather situations. I agree with Governor Christie: “Don’t be
stupid. Get out.” He is talking to residents along the coast and flood-prone
areas.
2:11 pm – I just
saw on Facebook that Dave and Amy’s electricity went out. They live in Flemington,
NJ. I still have power. I spoke with Karen a while ago. She called from
Cincinnati to check in on me. I told her I’d keep her posted. I had an
email from Mom this morning (I did respond to it) and plan to call her in a
little while when there is something more to report. Right now, the storm seems
rather timid. Of course, I am not outdoors so am not experiencing the heavy winds on my person.
I also received a text message from a co-worker informing me
that the NFL is going to be closed tomorrow. I figured as much and
hadn’t planned on going in even if they decided to open. Thanks, Bobby, for keeping me updated on
that front.
2:38 pm – Mom
just called. I promised to keep her updated and she told me to fill some small
containers full of water and keep them in my freezer. More ice will keep the
freezer cold for a longer period of time in case the power goes out.
2:43 pm – Oh, oh
– light flicker.
2:56 pm – A crane
is perilously hanging from a building at 57th St and 7th
Ave. in Manhattan. The roads are
closed near the building.
Apparently, it was secured but the winds are so strong that it has
become dislodged. This is not good. Residents are outside trying to get photos.
They need to get inside and let the city officials and safety workers do what
they need to do, which is clear the area. (People were eventually evacuated from the area.)
There is nothing they can do in this weather to remedy the
situation until after the storm. They are estimating at that height, over 1,000
feet up, the winds are 55-60 mph. This
building, One57, is a 90-story luxury condo. It is under construction and will
be the tallest residential building in New York.
I still have power…and hope to still have it once darkness
falls.
3:30 pm – Sounds
like Sandy is going to hit land a few hours earlier than expected, which means
the worst winds will pass the area sooner as well. I’m tired of waiting; I just
want it over. The wind is really picking up. I hear threatening gusts every now
and then…quite loud ones, in fact. I can see debris fly past my window every
now and then, and I’m up relatively high. I can’t determine if t he debris is flying off
the roofs of other buildings or mine.
PSG&E has been and are preparing for power outages in
NJ. Right now, they are working to
restore power due to downed wires.
Gov. Cuomo (NY) is closing the Tappan Zee Bridge at 4:00 pm.
I have been on Facebook connecting with friends and even
posting music, YouTube storm-appropriate titled music that is: Scorpions – Rock You Like a Hurricane and REO Speedwagon – Ridin’ the Storm Out. I have
to retain a sense of humor.
4:19 pm - I’ve
spent the day flipping from the Weather Channel, ABC 7 for New York News, and
12 News New Jersey. They are
showing pictures of downed trees on channel 12; one tree fell on a house. It
may seem like I’m wasting my day engrossed in this storm, but I feel like I am
experiencing it fully. I’m not thinking about yesterday or tomorrow or what I
have to do in the next week. I’m right in the moment.
For the first time since this storm began, heavy rain is
falling in addition to big wind gusts. We are about an hour and a half from
landfall. The George Washington Bridge is scheduled to close at 7:00 pm. As far
as I know, the Lincoln Tunnel is still open, but the Holland Tunnel is now
closed.
5:00 pm – Time to
open the Sauvignon Blanc. My
friend Mike M fears I will get so tanked I won’t be able to make good
decisions. No worries, Mike, I can
handle it, and I’m not going to drink the whole bottle, though it is tempting.
– LOL.
My windows on the north side are getting hammered with rain
and wind. All I have to do is walk in my bedroom to get a reality check about how
wild the storm is becoming. The intensity is less apparent in the living room
because the window faces west. The rain and wind seem to be blowing south and
west, which is weird because Sandy is approaching us from the southeast – first
heading northeast then turning westward.
Lincoln Tunnel is now closed.
6:32 pm – Spent the
last hour talking with my friend Mike W from Chicago, who called to check
in, and then I called Mom to report in to her. Sandy is making landfall, but I
still have power. I opened my window and though the wind is definitely rustling
loudly through the tree leaves, the rain has subsided. The air smells so fresh, ahh…
It is now dark, which makes it difficult to assess what is
going on outside. However, the lights in the streets and buildings around me remain on.
This is a great exercise in
letting go and releasing my need to control the situation. It is what it is.
Karen C just called. She is fine but her lights are
flickering on and off. We spoke only briefly and will touch base tomorrow.
50 feet of the Atlantic City boardwalk is gone. 14,000 flights
in area airports have been grounded. I keep hearing sirens along Boulevard
East.
7:24 pm – Lights
flickered.
Just heard on Hardball – 2.2 million homes are without power.
Okay, really heavy winds blowing now…my apartment door is shaking and no windows
are open.
7:48 pm – I have
one of my living room windows open, and I can hear the wind clearly through the
leaves—this gorgeous, intense rustling sound, but again, not much rain. The
power remains on. The news is stating that this will be the worst of it from
now until 2:00 am Tuesday. If this
is the worst, I’ll be a very happy camper. I can hear sirens though not sure
what is happening in my area. Yes, there is some lightening…didn’t know that
would happen. (Learned later that it was a transformer exploding in the
distance.)
8:03 pm – Okay, I
think the storm’s strength has finally shown itself now! I just closed my one
living room window; holy crap—very loud and very strong winds. I thought this
system hit a couple hours ago; it seems that it did not. I just opened my window
again and yes, it is definitely at strength I’ve not yet experienced.
8:08 pm – Lights
flickering…fascinated by the intensity of it all. Window is open—peering out, I am transfixed by the wind. It’s almost a perverse
curiosity about the extent and breadth of the damage and disruption to life
this storm is causing. There are huge wind gusts, roaring. Another flicker of
light…
8:21 pm – Barbara
and Dan have been without power since 5:00 pm. I just sent her a text message.
Ryan sent me a text inquiring about my safety. Then I looked out the window and
to the southeast saw this huge flash of light—another transformer exploding.
By the way, the crane in NYC is still holding steady to the
building, and I still have power. I’m hearing many sirens.
Flicker…lights still on. Sirens again…
On TV, it is reported that if the weather doesn’t improve
before October 31, Gov. Christie says he will sign an Executive order to
reschedule Halloween so the kids can go trick-or-treating. Thanks, Gov!
8:41 pm – Lights
have been restored on Boulevard East. That was quick.
What??? I just heard the Lincoln Tunnel is still open.
Seriously??? That can’t be right.
9:14 pm – Mom
checked in again. My one window in the living room is open and no wind is
blowing in. If this is the worst of it for me, I have been really lucky.
Power went off for a second, then back on…
9:31 pm – Just
heard on the news – 2.2 million people are without power.
9:46 pm – I am
feeling very humbled. So many friends and family were with me today via
Facebook, email, and cell phone. I am thankful for their support and thoughts.
It is frightening to be alone in a storm, and one of this
magnitude, is even scarier. Somehow, though, the storm, the wind, and the power
grid worked in my favor. The area in which I live is about 150 feet above the
Hudson River, and the population is large in this area and our dwellings are close together and
compact, so there is not much open space. Those factors, I
believe, protected me from most of Hurricane Sandy's devastation. It is almost
10:00 pm and I still have power.
Southwest in Union City, the lights are out; I can see it
from my window. I hear more sirens.
10:14 pm - 4
million customers are now without power in the path of the storm, ¼ of them in
NY. My power is still on.
10:30 pm – I just
received my last call from Mom. She’s going to bed. I am going to as well.
Sandy was quite the adventure, though not so much for me. I was safe in my
apartment and friends stayed connected in various ways. What a lucky woman I
am. A day I thought would be
filled with anxiety and fear was one of love and engagement with people I care
about.
Disasters are times when we all come together. Our
differences don’t matter. I wish it were that way all the time. However, even
if realistically it isn’t, when it really matters, we are there for one another
and it doesn’t matter in other respects how we agree or disagree. We are
friends and family and that is all that matters in the end. What a day! Sandy, you weren’t all that
bad—well, you were terrible, just not to me.
October 30 – The day
after (10:30 am)
It’s still raining. Over 5 million people in the Northeast
are without power, flooding is widespread. Half of Hoboken, NJ is under
water. Mass transit is still shut
down. Gusts of wind remain strong. The crane is still hanging from the building
in Manhattan and the subway is flooded in many locations. Virtually all of Newark and Jersey City are without power.
However, Sandy’s wrath is waning. Now is recovery time. What a mess all over the region.
I've been watching the news this morning, and it is heartbreaking seeing all the people who lost loved ones, homes, and pets. Mother Nature while beautiful, can be deadly and vicious.
I did not sleep well last night. Sirens woke me
periodically. Thanks again to all
my family and friends for hanging with me yesterday. I am blessed; I know that. I am very aware of it.
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