Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Sandy Recovery Efforts Begin in Breezy, New York



Update 11/4: “Breezy has truly incredible people. Our neighbor sincerely apologized for not being able to help US when HIS house is the same. It was much worse to see/smell the damage in person. Decimated, no words can describe. I hugged a woman walking down the lane crying. Taking down ceilings and insulation is very hard work. I can take it but there are many people who can't. They need help. No one can get in to Breezy even if they wanted to help (thanks for the offers) and if they could there's no where to park. I love the Red Cross raised 23 million dollars with the telethon, really I do, but people need action. Mr. Mayor, let's organize the people who want to help individuals - can't be that hard with 23 million dollars.

The FEMA inspector said today "I worked on Katrina and this is worse!" Food and water has been provided by angels and was most appreciated as you can't stop working. However, people need Porta Potties badly (FEMA and Ins COs have trailers), and laundry trailers like Katrina (their clothes are ruined by the contaminated water.) There is a short period of time to get the wet dry wall and insulation out before mold takes over and more people lose their homes. Please get some trucks in there to pick up the debris each house is mounting. It's hard enough to lose everything but worse to look at it all day every day.

Mr Mayor, people have no gas for their generators much less their cars. They need to stay in these freezing, smelly homes because they can't get back and forth. There are many people without generators and are freezing at night. It's not over when Manhattan gets power back (even though I'm very happy for my friends.) Protective eyewear, waterproof gloves, boots, tools and the list goes on. Governor Cuomo says he is, you say you are holding the utilities accountable. Please give the people of Breezy, Rockaway, Belle Harbor and Staten Island some idea of how long it will take to have the basic necessities of life. A clue is a terrible thing to waste. The outpouring of support from friends, family and complete strangers helps everyone to keep going.”

Submitted by Robin Rumpf, on location in Breezy Point, NY, helping her brother whose home was flooded by Hurricane Sandy

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