Storm Slams Region Battered by Superstorm Sandy
A powerful storm blasted its way into New York and New Jersey Wednesday, bringing with it high winds, rain and heavy wet snow. Many homes were plunged back into darkness, commuter trains were stopped and another round of misery was inflicted upon thousands of residents who have been in the process of trying to recover from superstorm Sandy’s horrendous blow more than a week ago.
The new storm, a nor’easter, is not a big concern under normal circumstances but because of Sandy, many trees are vulnerable as is the electrical system. And, scores of storm victims have spent the last week shoveling mud and pumping water out of their homes and businesses only to possibly have to repeat it again. There are many people still without power whom have been trying to deal with the shivering cold temperatures, making this new storm all that more unwelcome.
As the new system drew closer, thousands of people living in low-lying areas were told to get out of their neighborhoods. Work crews in New Jersey were busy building up sand dunes ahead of the new storm so that they could protect the ravaged coastline there. In New York City, police officers headed into neighborhoods with loudspeakers, telling residents to evacuate ahead of the storm. While it was not mandatory that people leave, many said they would refuse to abandon their homes if ordered to because they fear looting – something that has been taking place all across the storm-ravaged city.
All construction in the Big Apple was put on hold Wednesday as a safety precaution. The decision to halt construction was partially brought on by the gigantic crane that broke during Sandy and which was left dangling precariously over the streets of Manhattan.
At least 1,2000 flights coming into and leaving the New York metro area were canceled ahead of the storm, causing even more travel chaos.The storm dumped 4 inches of wet, heavy snow on New York by Wednesday night. Some regions such as areas in Connecticut, upstate New York and New Jersey received over 7 inches of snow with more promised to come.
The good news is that there is relief on the way for the millions of weary residents of the East. The unwelcomed rain, ice, snow and high winds are slowing moving out of the region and temperatures are being forecast to climb back up to tolerable levels for those without power as the highs for the next couple of days will hover in the 50s.