Hurricane Sandy blew through the east coast yesterday, causing massive flooding, downed trees, power outages and overall hysteria.
A portion of the famed Atlantic City boardwalk broke off and floated out into the Atlantic in tact. Streets in Connecticut turned into raging rivers. Airports and mass transit systems throughout the region were completely shut down, prompting schools and businesses to close for the day and residents to stay barricaded inside their homes.
Although the storm spared New York City from the devastation that was originally predicted, the city did not go unharmed. The critical NYC Subway, the oldest in the nation, was completely shut down late Sunday night. A pumping system over 100 years old was overworked trying to pump hundreds of gallons of water out of the massive subway tunnels that were flooded. Wall St. and the Stock Exchange was closed for the day, as parts of lower Manhattan went underwater from a rise in the East and Hudson rivers. All Broadway shows were shuttered and the traditionally bustling Times Square became a virtual ghost town.
In Midtown Manhattan, a crane more than 50 stories in the air which was building the tallest residential building in NY, suddenly snapped from the high winds and was dangling high above the city. Fearing it could fall to the street, police and fire officials closed off the area and evacuated hotels and buildings out of caution. In the Chelsea section of Manhattan, the entire front facade of an apartment building was blown away from the structure, exposing the interiors rooms inside.
President Obama canceled all campaign appearances and returned to Washington to lead the natural disaster efforts. Mitt Romney, who can have no official role in the disaster response, expressed his concern to all in Sandy’s path, but continued to campaign in Ohio and areas not affected by the storm. This was a unique moment for Mr. Obama to look presidential and in charge, as well as a good moment to remind voters that Romney said he plans to eliminate FEMA if elected.
Hurricane Sandy was downgraded late in the day and has since moved beyond the east coast. At least 13 deaths have been reported and at least 5.3 million people are without power. The damage and costs will likely be monumental as clean up begins and New Yorkers and other eastern residents return to normal life.
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