Sandy

[Joe R.]

Re: Sandy

Terry,

I have a Gas Buddy app on my iPhone. I assume it's from the same folks you mention. I know you like assumptions.

Joe

[Terry M.]

Re: Sandy

Hi Terry. That was them alright. They worked a few streets away from my house for at least two days. They're still around town, and it looks like they're gonna be around for at least another week. I'll be sure and stop by to say hello in the next few days. I hope they brought warm clothes, it was warm for a few days after the storm, but tonight it's 35 at 11pm. I feel for those without power or gas for their generators. But your guys are working real hard and logging some serious hours. They have theirs hands full here. Everything is a tangled mess, broken trees and poles and downed wires all over the place. We're grateful to have them. Really small world! Mike

Mike,
If you get to talk to them they are more likely to know me as Terry Mack. Tell them I do the cable injection dispatching. They will know what that means, and if they are really my guys they will have my cell phone number on their cell phones. Be sure to tell them I said to be safe and stay warm.

You are right that is tough and dangerous work they take on in those circumstances. Those are difficult circumstances for everyone, and all one can do is make the best of it. I am off work for a while because we don't need so many dispatchers when there are so few crews around here. My thoughts are they might be back by Thanksgiving, but if not that -- then it may be into December before all of them are back. This is a really big one.

[Terry M.]

Re: Sandy

Terry,

I have a Gas Buddy app on my iPhone. I assume it's from the same folks you mention. I know you like assumptions.

Joe

Yes, Joe, your mobile app is from the same folks. I have been a part of that group in the Chicago area for over ten years. They started in Minneapolis/St Paul and spread out from there. It is another interesting group of people helping people.

[Les G.]

Re: Sandy

My Business is on the Jersey Shore we only got power back on Sunday and the building only received minor damage. My house is 15 miles off the shore only received minor damage. I was lucky cause I was able to purchase a generator at the last moment. We had friends living with us that had houses on the shore. I am concerned about Howard Welch he lives in Mantoloking which took the brunt of the storm. I am hoping that Howard and his family are OK. If anyone has heard from him please let us know.

[Joe C.]

Re: Sandy

We hope and pray that all of our members in the Eastern and Northeastern portion of the country are safe and if they have suffered damage that it is minimal. Here’s wishing them all a safe speedy recovery, our thoughts a prayers are with each of you and your families.

Thank you, Roy for thinking of us. I live about 5 miles, as the crow flies, inland from Bradley Beach, NJ, and suffered no damage to my house from water, wind, or fallen trees although there are quite a few down all around me. I consider myself very fortunate to have been without power for only 4 days. As of now, there are still a high percentage of areas without power, but I must commend the electrical linemen for doing a bang-up job. I see trucks from all over the country working on cutting fallen trees away from power lines, and repairing same. Governor Christie is to be commended for his outstanding leadership and command during this disaster. The people in my state make me proud in how well behaved, resourceful, compassionate and civil they have been throughout this ordeal, so far. I realize that the Jersey Shore will never be the same again, no matter how fast or how thoroughly the devastated areas will be rebuilt. Out of the rubble, I see very expensive and re-zoned developments rising. Inevitably, the "smart money" will gobble up much of the condemned property at upset prices. New structures will be subject to amended and upgraded zoning laws and building codes. The old, quaint amusement parks, summer cottages, bungalows, shacks and shanties are gone forever.

One of the most striking results of this storm, is that the almost brand-new Mantaloking bridge which connected the mainland to the barrier island, about 15 miles south of me, is completely gone. Adjacent to where the bridge once stood, is a newly formed inlet..................the approximately 1/4 mile wide barrier island was breached by the tidal action and a sole house stands within this new inlet, on a tiny island formed by this act of nature's fury.

[Paul J.]

Re: Sandy

The old, quaint amusement parks, summer cottages, bungalows, shacks and shanties are gone forever.

I would'nt bet on this. Yes, things will look a little different. You are right that new structures will be built under the present code, but that is a good thing. That will prevent a lot of damage the next time (and there will eventually be a next time). The property is too valuable not to be used. The amusement parks were insured and will be rebuilt, as will the summer cottages and boardwalks. I've seen many hurricanes come onshore on my coast, and have been through a couple of them. There is always some shock when looking at the devastation, but it will be cleaned up, and in a couple of years things will look a lot like they did. One change that you should see is the implementation of the Corps flood requirement to have habitable structures at least 16' feet above sea level.

As for the inlet, this is part of beach dynamics. There is a Duke University professor who has published a lot of information on this. You may wish to look it up. The authorities would be foolish to fill in that inlet unless they provide some relief for the potential water build up behind the island. The largest inlet on North Carolina's Outer Banks is Oregon Inlet, which was formed by a hurricane in the 1800's. Another hurricane which occurred in the 1990's cut north Topsail Island (Blackbeard's old hahgout) in half.

Don't get down, Joe. Things will get better.

Paul

[Joe C.]

Re: Sandy

I would'nt bet on this. Yes, things will look a little different. You are right that new structures will be built under the present code, but that is a good thing. That will prevent a lot of damage the next time (and there will eventually be a next time). The property is too valuable not to be used. The amusement parks were insured and will be rebuilt, as will the summer cottages and boardwalks. I've seen many hurricanes come onshore on my coast, and have been through a couple of them. There is always some shock when looking at the devastation, but it will be cleaned up, and in a couple of years things will look a lot like they did. One change that you should see is the implementation of the Corps flood requirement to have habitable structures at least 16' feet above sea level.

As for the inlet, this is part of beach dynamics. There is a Duke University professor who has published a lot of information on this. You may wish to look it up. The authorities would be foolish to fill in that inlet unless they provide some relief for the potential water build up behind the island. The largest inlet on North Carolina's Outer Banks is Oregon Inlet, which was formed by a hurricane in the 1800's. Another hurricane which occurred in the 1990's cut north Topsail Island (Blackbeard's old hahgout) in half.

Don't get down, Joe. Things will get better.

Paul

Paul,

The new codes are evident in FL, where I recently was shopping but not buying. I saw that structures built within flood zones are required to limit living space to no less than 15 feet above mean high water, or something to that effect. In any case, they are very safe to live in, and sturdily built as they are mostly of reinforced concrete construction. But they are butt ugly, resembling modernistic homes built atop parking garages. I'm sure that the aesthetics can be improved upon, but that's one helluva constraint to be placed upon an occupancy. Progress, progress. I suppose that it's human nature to overreact/overcorrect, but best in the long run. This was truly a "100 year event", IMHO. Although the scope of this catastrophe was not even close, I can't help but think about what happened in Galveston back in 1900.

[Pat M.]

Re: Sandy

Hang in there guys. As a witness to the massive destruction of many Gulf Coast hurricanes I can tell you, this too shall pass.

[Terry M.]

Re: Sandy

Mike,
I had a chance to talk to one of the foremen I know out there. We have 2 crews with that foreman in Suffolk County, and he said there were two crews up north by you -- but those northern crews are unlikely to know me. They are crews that usually work the overhead, and I work with crews that do only occasional overhead work. They are working 16 hours on and 8 hours off seven days a week.

If you or anyone else sees any crews out there, mine or some others, some hot coffee would be nice. They have very little time for anything else. And please be cautious as you approach them. Look around to be sure you are not putting yourself in a hazardous position relative to equipment or electrical lines.

[Michael M.]

Re: Sandy

Mike, I had a chance to talk to one of the foremen I know out there. We have 2 crews with that foreman in Suffolk County, and he said there were two crews up north by you -- but those northern crews are unlikely to know me. They are crews that usually work the overhead, and I work with crews that do only occasional overhead work. They are working 16 hours on and 8 hours off seven days a week. If you or anyone else sees any crews out there, mine or some others, some hot coffee would be nice. They have very little time for anything else. And please be cautious as you approach them. Look around to be sure you are not putting yourself in a hazardous position relative to equipment or electrical lines.

Will do, Terry. Actually, I am in Suffolk County. Western Suffolk, north shore of the island in the Huntington area. I guess you have guys out east as well. It's kind of hard to get near them anyway, they are usually on main roads with a lot of traffic. There's a better chance of getting run over than electrocuted. Most, if not all, of the crews are standing down now anyway, there's heavy winds and blowing snow since early this afternoon, nasty weather. Hopefully, it won't freeze. It's 34 degrees here now. It's supposed to get warmer after this storm passes.

[Dennis C.]

Re: Sandy

Terry,

Your guy's restored our electric Monday afternoon. I arrived just as they were leaving the area. I didn't get to say thanks, but please let them know we are very grateful.

Right now it's snowing some and forecast has been updated to include the possibility of a few inches of snow. The wind has also picked up again. Hopefully the snow will stop and we will get just enough rain to melt the snow.

Dennis

[Brian M.]

Re: Sandy

Today we get the icing on the cake, heavy wet snow on storm damaged trees still wearing leaves. OH Boy.

[Terry M.]

Re: Sandy

Will do, Terry. Actually, I am in Suffolk County. Western Suffolk, north shore of the island in the Huntington area. I guess you have guys out east as well. It's kind of hard to get near them anyway, they are usually on main roads with a lot of traffic. There's a better chance of getting run over than electrocuted. Most, if not all, of the crews are standing down now anyway, there's heavy winds and blowing snow since early this afternoon, nasty weather. Hopefully, it won't freeze. It's 34 degrees here now. It's supposed to get warmer after this storm passes.

Mike,
I just thought to post that cautionary note because our job sites can be difficult, even for those of us who understand the work that is going on. Throw in the traffic and potential falling tree parts and there is a great need to be alert. I would hate to have anyone get hurt because of a cup of coffee. That is just not worth it.

When I talked to the foreman at about 4PM your time yesterday he sounded just beat. I didn't ask him about the weather out there -- I had some business with him and I made it brief. They will have to stand down because of the winds. They might need the rest. I did tell him that you guys were thankful for all their hard work. He responded that not everyone was. We both know very well that for some folks the power can't come on soon enough. and they are not as understanding of delays as you guys are. Thanks for your kindness.

[Howard W.]

Re: Sandy

To all my NCRS Friends: We are safe, we evacuated Long Beach Island (Barnegat Light) and are living with my son and his family in Manahawkin NJ. Our houses sufferred little damage compared to those that lost most of or all their homes and posessions. We were able to go on the island last Monday for a few hours to secure the houses and take what ever we could like personal items, clothes, important papers, etc. We will not be able to get back to the homes for some time, although there is electricity and water in our area there is no gas and we cannot go back until the gas has been inspected, repaired and turned back on. Could be weeks-months(depending on who you talk to).

Thanks to all those workers and volumteers that have helped, it is appreciated and we should all be thankful that we haven't lost more.

Howard & Karen Welch

[Joe O.]

Re: Sandy

Long Island is still a mess now we have 6 inches of snow to deal with. I live in central Nassau county and the power is still out no heat and it is very difficult getting gas for the cars and generator. The lines for gas take 1 to 2 hours if the stations doesn't run out . Friends and family are all safe but a few Metro LI members lost corvettes and their family 's cars. I know of 2 members who lost Top Flight cars. One member lost 2 corvettes and 4 other cars as well as 6 inches of water in his house. My business partner had 6 feet of water in his basement running his electrical and heating systems. He moved 2 of his corvettes to higher ground and his 63 split window was up in the air on a lift, but he lost his GMC Youkon under 4 feet of water in the street.
If any one is looking to buy a car from this area a would recommend a car fax and inspection
Mark Tulley
Vice Chairman
Metro - LI Chapter