Hurricane Irene may not have caused the horrific devastation the media predicted, but after effects of the storm are wreaking incredible havoc in some parts of the country, with massive flooding creating nightmares.
In Vermont, National Guard helicopters rushed to get food and water to a dozen towns after remnants of the hurricane washed out roads and bridges, basically stranding residents of the landlocked New England state. Up to 11 inches of rain from last weekend’s storm turned lazy streams into raging rivers that knocked homes off their foundations, flattened trees and took giant chunks from highways. At least 3 people died in Vermont.
The situation in New Jersey was no better, as flooding caused roads to become rivers. The Passaic River crested 2 days after the hurricane, causing local residents to flee to safety as streets resembled the look of Niagara Falls. Authorities say the area could remain flooded for at least a week. But the clean up and return to normalcy will cost millions and certainly take much more time to complete.
But not everything was dark and dreary. As residents along the eastern seaboard worked to regain their homes and their lives, the 427 residents of Pittsfield, Vermont found light in their misfortune by concocting a community activity — they had a town barbecue. “No one in this town was expecting the flooding to be what it was, and we’ve all gotta eat,” said Jason Evans, owner of the popular Clear River Tavern. “My house is high and dry, but there was water all around my restaurant,” he said. “We just had everybody come to the park and we cooked up hamburgers and hot dogs.
“I would have lost everything anyway, so why not feed some folks?”
<span><span><span>Sadly, a consequence of the U.S. media having gone completely overboard in their 24/7 HYPED coverage of the pending DOOM of New York City….and then got called-OUT and smacked-down for it…is that the same media now seems rather laxed in covering actual hardest hit areas with even half of the same sense of urgency.</span> <span></span> <span>Call me "Fed-Up" with U.S. cable news media. That industry, IMO is completely OUT of control and lacks all integrity, in particular when it comes to how they manipulate…err…"cover" American politics and natural disasters.</span> <span></span> <span>The systematic manufacturing of "news" and whipping up of DRAMA engaged in by CNN, MSNBC and The Weather Channel is cynical, UNethical and darn-right disgusting..smh. </span> <span></span> <span>The American people MUST demand better from cable *news* media.</span> <span></span> <span>My thoughts and prayers are with Everyone who've lost loved-ones, and/or were injured themselves and/or sustained real damage to their property (homes, businesses, etc.) related to Irene.</span></span></span>