Storm hits North-East USA; Appeal for assistance

60,000 new power outages as nor’easter Athena slams Sandy-battered US northeast

A winter storm has left thousands across the US East Coast without power, adding to the 640,000 already under blackouts after Hurricane Sandy. Residents fear more damage as the storm hits the storm-pummeled northeast with heavy wind, snow and rain.

People wait on line to buy gasoline during a Nor’Easter snowstorm on November 7, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City (Mario Tama / Getty Images / AFP)

 

RT,

8 November, 2012

An estimated 60,000 people lost electricity as the nor’easter, named Athena by the National Weather Service, moved through New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Residents were urged to evacuate flooded areas on Wednesday night, and the storm is predicted to last well into Thursday.

New York, New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and Connecticut have seen snowfall up to eight inches in some areas.

Airports in New York and New Jersey have already cancelled more than 1,700 flights. Several parks were also closed throughout New York and New Jersey over fears of falling trees, and many schools canceled classes.

Snow covers a fallen tree in a neighborhood which was left destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in the Staten Island borough of New York November 7, 2012 (Reuters / Adrees Latif)

A nor’easter does not have the destructive force of Sandy, which killed more than 110 people in the US, cut power to 8.5 million homes and flooded New York City and the New Jersey coast. The winter storm still poses a danger, however, because it is hitting areas already devastated by Sandy, increasing the risk of further flooding.

“We're petrified,” James Alexander told USA Today. Alexander lives in the hard-hit Rockaways section of New York City’s Queens borough. “It's like a sequel to a horror movie.”

The storm has also stalled post-Sandy repairs, preventing emergency workers from dealing with the hurricane’s impact.

Pedestrians walk through high winds and snow at Union Square on November 7, 2012 in New York City (John Moore / Getty Images / AFP)

A woman hails a taxi while braving high winds and snow near Union Square on November 7, 2012 in New York City (John Moore / Getty Images / AFP)

Pedestrians walk through high winds and snow at Union Square on November 7, 2012 in New York City. The city was hit by a Nor'Easter storm, just ten days after Superstorm Sandy ravaged the tri-state area (John Moore / Getty Images / AFP)

A man walks in the snow during the Nor’Easter, also known as a northeaster storm, in Jersey City, New Jersey November 7, 2012 (Reuters / Eduardo Munoz)

A man rides his bike as a firefighter truck attends to a call as it snows during the Nor’Easter, also known as a northeaster storm, in Jersey City, New Jersey November 7, 2012 (Reuters / Eduardo Munoz)

Wheels marks are seen on a street covered with snow during the nor'easter, also known as a northeaster storm, in Jersey City, New Jersey November 7, 2012 (Reuters / Eduardo Munoz)

People stand on a destroyed section of boardwalk to check the storm's approach as a Nor’Easter arrives in the Rockaway neighborhood on November 7, 2012 in the Queens borough of New York City (Mario Tama / Getty Images / AFP)

Appeal for blankets for victims of Sandy

Just as hundreds of thousands of Hurricane Sandy victims begin piecing their

lives back together, a Nor'easter is barrelling up the east coast, threatening

to bring snow, rain, freezing temperatures and even more flooding to the region.

Without power and adequate shelter, people across the tri-state area have been left dangerously exposed to the elements and risk serious illness.

After speaking with various local groups like Occupy Sandy and New York

Communities for Change (NYCC) about what we could do to help, one need stood out above them all: the need for warm blankets.[1]

Occupy Supply has the resources and know-how to keep people warm and healthy from our support of the Occupy movement, and we are proud to donate 1,000 of our very best woobie, fleece and space blankets to victims in the area -- but need your help expediting the package from Washington, DC before the cold front sets in.

Can you please donate $10 or more to help Occupy Supply send 1,000 blankets to victims of Hurricane Sandy?

Click here to donate: https://donate.firedoglake.com/sandy/contribute

100% of your donation to Occupy Supply will be used to supply blankets and other essential provisions to victims of Hurricane Sandy; all items are American-made; fleece blankets are union-made.

As Firedoglake writers Dave Dayen[2] and Kevin Gosztola[3] have both reported, residents of Staten Islanders and the Rockaway Peninsula feel that they have largely been left to fend for themselves by FEMA and the Red Cross. In many ways, groups like Occupy Sandy are stepping up to fill much-needed gaps in assistance.

A lot of the bedding that has been donated, or that people may have already, is just not going to be effective against icy rain and temperatures dropping into the 30's later this week, and we know what a difference it makes in people's lives to have state-of-the art equipment keeping them warm.

The blankets we'll be sending were tested for heat efficiency and durability

last year by occupiers across the country and since we buy in bulk, it costs us

far less than it would cost community groups or individuals to buy these

supplies.

We're including polar fleece blankets for warmth and light weight

water-resistant woobie blankets used by the military that trap body heat. We'll

also be sending space blankets, which form a protective layer from the cold

either underneath a sleeping bag or on top of bedding.

Please help us send these much-needed blankets to Hurricane Sandy victims right away.

Donate $10+ to help Occupy Supply send 1,000 blankets to victims of Hurricane Sandy.

https://donate.firedoglake.com/sandy/contribute

This is just the first of many efforts Occupy Supply will take to provide aid to

victims of Hurricane Sandy. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity

in this time of overwhelming need.

In Solidarity,

Jane Hamsher

Founder & Publisher,

Firedoglake.com

Sources:

1. Can You Help #OccupySupply Send 1000 Blankets for Sandy Relief Before the

Cold Front Hits? FDL Action, 11/6/12. http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2012/11/06/can-you-help-us-send-1000-blankets-for-sandy-relief-before-the-cold-front-hits/

2. Difficulties With Hurricane Sandy Response on Staten Island. FDL News Desk,

11/2/12. http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/11/02/difficulties-with-hurricane-sandy-response-on-staten-island/

3. Occupy Sandy Relief Fills Void FEMA & Red Cross Are Unable to Fill. FDL

Dissenter, 11/5/12. http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2012/11/05/occupy-sandy-relief-fills-void-fema-red-cross-are-unable-to-fill/