Posted on 11/02/2012 12:13:43 PM PDT by YourAdHere
EW spoke to Sons of Anarchy and Staten Island native Theo Rossi (Juice Ortiz), who was home visiting family and friends when Sandy hit. Hes remained there ever since and gave us this first-hand account of the devastation.
Its so bad here, a lot worse than how its being portrayed by the media. They are finding bodies left and right, elderly people who dont even watch the news or who knew the storm was coming. I was just with one of my best friends from high school and college, and his house is completely gone. One story I heard was about this one guy who evacuated his house during Hurricane Irene but then it got looted. So when they told him to evacuate for Sandy, he said, Im not leaving. Now they cant find him, his 13-year-old daughter is dead, and his wife is in critical condition at the hospital. These are the stories. My stepfather and my mother, I love them to death. But when they heard the storm was coming, they said, Its not going to be that bad. Irene didnt do anything. They had two flashlights and a couple of scented candles. Little did they know. Its just not worth it. If youre told to evacuate, you need to get out.
The one weird thing is how there is no power. The other weird thing is how theres no gas. To get gas requires a three-and-a-half hour wait. Its like this odd, post-apocalyptic kind of thing. Most trees are down. Power lines are down. Its like a movie, or like The Walking Dead. You cant believe it. Especially when you grow up here. I moved to Los Angeles in 1999, but this has always been my home. Theres the place I kissed a girl, thats the place I played handball. I know this island in and out. To see it completely destroyed is bizarre.
Ive been trying to hit every shelter on Staten Island to do what I can, just to make people smile. A lot of people know me and know Im from here. My flight has been changed six times now. Finally, I got a flight for Sunday. Then, the city decides they are going ahead with the New York City Marathon. The bridges will be closed, so I cant get to the airport. How are they doing a marathon when most people dont have power? On top of it, the hotels in Manhattan have been nice enough to put up people who have no homes. They are charging them $200 as opposed to $700 a night. But now they are throwing these people out because theyve got people from all over the world coming to run the marathon. They are throwing out the survivors! So I call Jet Blue and say I cant fly Sunday because I cant get from Staten Island to JFK Airport. And they said Okay Theo. They know me know because Ive been calling them every 15 minutes. They say, Theo, we can get you on a flight Friday. I say book it! I call up the car service, and they say, We cant pick you up, we have no gas. All my friends on Staten Island say, How are we going to get you there? We have no gas. And the people who do have gas, dont want to waste it going to JFK. So Ive got to call and change my flight again. Now Im leaving Monday. Everybody says if we dont have gas in our cars by Monday, if the roads arent clear by Monday, thats it were throwing in the towel.
Im really glad Im here to help and do anything, but Ive never seen anything like this. Im just glad Im here with my family. A shout out and thank you to all the amazing city workers who have been working around the clock. Police, fire, sanitation. You all are the true fabric of this city.
He’s trying to keep people’s spirits up and God bless him for that, its more than most celebs in new york are doing. I like his show, he’s a really good actor and he’s standing up saying “hey, you all are being lied to about conditions here” again, its more than others are doing.
He’s trying to keep people’s spirits up and God bless him for that, its more than most celebs in new york are doing. I like his show, he’s a really good actor and he’s standing up saying “hey, you all are being lied to about conditions here” again, its more than others are doing.
How many missed meals away from anarchy are they?
Saying Hurricane Sandy exceeded its own estimates of damage, the Long Island Power Authority now predicts it may take some Long Islanders longer than the 10 days it predicted to restore power as it builds up an army of about 5,000 workers.
More than 534,000 customers are still without power as of Friday morning, according to LIPA.
That guy obviously knew there would be a power outage or he wouldn't have given the kids flashlights but please explain how the heck he was going to watch movies without power. After a couple movies, his dvd batteries are gone along with the beans. Fine if a single person wants to be stupid but it's unacceptable for a person with kids.
Saying Hurricane Sandy exceeded its own estimates of damage, the Long Island Power Authority now predicts it may take some Long Islanders longer than the 10 days it predicted to restore power as it builds up an army of about 5,000 workers.
More than 534,000 customers are still without power as of Friday morning, according to LIPA.
Friends’ warehouse full of inventory was under 4 feet of water.
Other friends have been unable to return to NYC.
Other friends have not yet checked in.
But Bruuuuuce is gonna sing the Prezzydent’s praises tonight.
Kanye Douchebag Obama doesn’t like Americans.
Total Sandy-related deaths in the region is 97.
Whoraldo!! That says it all.
I’m sure you’ll understand if I say NO Thanks, I don’t get my news from media celebrities.
We went through the “no power” drill last year with the October blizzard.
Day 1—amusing change
Day 2—get to know the spouse since there is no TV
Day 3—everyone starting to get edgy
Day 4—everyone is edgy
Day 5—Keep everyone away from sharp objects
Day 6—Make plans to get outta town!
Fortunately for us power came back on in day 6.
The problem for LI/NJ/Staten Island is
there may not be enough gas to leave town.
You do not want to be an incumbent politician if the power is still out by Tuesday and the locals are stuck in town (day 8).
Next time you visit New York City, bring a jet pack for emergency evac.
Just announced on Fox News: FEMA has arrived in Staten Island and the people will start to get some assistance.
The first newspaper I read estimated 30,000 dead after Katrina. I think it was European though. Typical.
Alcohol must have played a part in this, ‘cause I’m still trying to figure out how he equated preparedness with having, not one, but TWO cans of beans. He sounded sooo eager and ready for the impending storm.
Over four days for FEMA to show up. Even worse than NOLA.
[Updated at 7:58 p.m.] The Defense Logistics Agency, at President Barack Obama's direction, will buy up to 12 million gallons of unleaded fuel and up to 10 million gallons of diesel to bring to the areas hardest hit by this week's storm, FEMA said in a press release.
Transported on tanker trucks, the fuel will head toward New York, New Jersey and other areas that are experiencing severe gas shortages in the wake of Sandy.
[Updated at 7:37 p.m. ET] President Obama has authorized tapping the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve and distributing that fuel to "state, local and federal responders in the New York/New Jersey area," the U.S. Energy Department announced.
The fuel - which is loaned by the Energy Department, who will pass it onto Defense Department - will help power generators, water pumps, buildings, trucks and other vehicles. About 2 million gallons of fuel will be drawn down, with the Defense Department expected to replenish the stock within 30 days.
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Why did it take so long? Rick Perry had tanker trucks of gas dispatched immediately during the Rita evacuations.
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