New York experiencing flooding from Hurricane Sandy
When I read about certain characteristics of the storm Sandy, I began to tweet
basic advice about hurricanes on Twitter, such as evacuating and staying inside
to avoid downed power lines one may not see, having gone through such weather
events living in tropical climates all my life.
Queens, New York after Hurricane Sandy flooded with some homes destroyed
My instincts told me the storm
would resemble Andrew in some respects, a storm I went through in Miami in 1992
and have bad memories of to this day. Still, for me, Wilma in 2005 was the worst
- downed branches, roof damage and no electricity for two weeks in the
sweltering heat. Black people don't keep well in that kind of heat. We get
irritable.
"Huge Fire Raging through New York - Hurricane Sandy"
Hurricane Sandy first touched down where I am in Jamaica, with the eye of the
storm going over Kingston, but it had not strengthened enough to cause serious
damage or catastrophic loss of life, so we escaped this time. However, sadly one
man died because he went outside and was crushed by a boulder rolling down a
hill above his home. Another reason it is important to go to a shelter or stay
inside your home if the storm is not threatening enough, regarding flood and
wind damage. However, as Sandy moved through the Caribbean hitting Cuba, Haiti,
the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, it grew stronger and the death toll and
damage began to mount
"Scenes from East 8th Street and Avenue C before the blackout"
When the storm hit New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Maryland in America, it
merged with a winter front and caused even greater damage. It is estimated, over
60 people have died in America and 65 in the Caribbean. It must be terrible to
be in your home and see water rising, not knowing when it will stop. So many
died in Hurricane Katrina in that manner, while others fled to rooftops.
"Superstorm Sandy: Ravaged States Take First Steps Towards Recovery"
The day before the storm, I wrote about Hurricane Andrew and how it left South
Miami looking like a bomb hit it. There are places in New York that have a very
similar look today. I have never seen New York look like that, as pictures
reveal flooded streets and subways and damaged buildings. Miami went through a
lot in rebuilding, but the building code was improved as a result of the storm.
People dangerously wading through water in New York, which is not safe. A
lady was electrocuted last night in New York by a downed power line while
walking outdoors.
People are going to have a difficult time dealing with insurance companies, as
some corporations will try to nickel and dime folks via issuing as low a payout
as possible. Due to the overwhelming flooding Sandy brought, many people will
have mold problems, which can be deadly, as it affects your respiratory system
and causes other health issues.
New York after Hurricane Sandy
There are a few home remedies online line
regarding how to remove mold, but the majority of them do not work and some of
the suggestions are toxic. It is best to have your home thoroughly checked and
all mold professionally removed.
The train and subway systems in New York (top) and New Jersey (bottom) sustained
unprecedented damage
In some cases, FEMA has assisted homeowners in the past who were unable to
pay to repair the damage to their homes. That's an avenue you can pursue in the
event you come up short on funds to undertake the necessary repairs.
STORY SOURCE
