Hurricane Sandy: What Will Happen Now?

[whirlcool]

Soon the thugs/gangs will have determined which areas have power and which do not and they'll descend on those areas. I have heard reports of people defacating in the hallways of public housing high rises already for fear of going outside at night.

And watch out for insurance companies and the aftermath. Allstate insurance tried to pass some policy before the State of Texas Insurance Board called "share the risk". The way the policy went, you'd still pay the same premiums you pay now for full coverage, but if you got damaged by a hurricane they'd only pay you 50% of your damages. Needless to say the board turned them down.

Remember after Ike there was one house left standing relatively undamaged amidst
hundreds that were swept away? Well, Galveston now has much stricter building codes. If you had a house that was washed away by Ike the house you rebuild will have to be built to much, much higher building standards. Which will translate into much, much more money.

I still worry about the people who don't have any funding to carry on or were living paycheck to paycheck in this horrible economy. Who will save them?

And I don't think privatizing FEMA is the way to go either. Turning it from a governmental agency into a for-profit private company is just going to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. And unless you prove that you have "resources" you'll get the "sorry we can't help you, there is too much risk" just like the credit card companies do.

 

[wringingwet]

We have not even seen

What Humans packed so close in high rise apt ... For may of them it is the first time that they actually meet neighbors on the same floor ... These people do not have the survival skill since they have always had everything they wanted .. after that it is anarchy ... and they have not still touched many many areas in that region that are in the same disrepair .. I pray that it will resolve is self and they may learn something from this. My heart goes out to these people .. but what will happen to all these people are now homeless.

I pray for all ... I use to live in Manhattan and I bet it is not pretty at all

 

[Iowegian]

Insurance companies will try to exclude coverage - generally, they will try to claim that damage is caused by storm surge, which is considered flooding and not covered by conventional homeowner policies, rather than pay for wind and rain damage.

Folks from NY and NJ didn't just fall off the turnip truck, though, so things will get worked out in the courts. The big problem is how people are going to live while things get arbitrated/litigated which can take months/years.

 

[whirlcool]

Let's see, if it took 4 years for a hurricane that effected 40,000 people to get to the courtroom, it may take a decade or more for some of these people in NY or NJ to have their day in court seeing how many people who were affected by Sandy.

I don't think that the NY area has enough vacant housing to put all the people who are now homeless. So I think there will have to be a max exodus somewhere else. Maybe some people who were planning on retiring to Boca may decide to just do it earlier. Maybe some people will more to another city where they may have relatives.
The possibilities will be almost endless.

 

[Iowegian]

Well, if some of the displaced New Yorkers decide to relocate to Florida, they can buy up some of the REO properties in Florida for cheap.

Not trying to be a smart-azz...but population mobility has historically been a factor in economic recoveries.

 

[launderess]

Nothing Major Is Going To "Happen" Until After Next

Democrats do not wish to appear greedy and grasping while republicans don't wish to come off as stingy or mean in a time of need. After the election however all bets are off.

Tropical storm Sandy (downgraded by NWS before it made landfall) is going to cost state and local governments in affected areas millions if not billions of funds most simply do not have. New York State's senators are pushing for full one hundred percent government funding of some costs and that is only likely to grow as bill start rolling in.

As for insurance companies Mr.Cuomo issued a statement yesterday flat out telling them *not* to charge customers the "hurricane deductible" since Sandy was down graded to a tropical storm. So far the man has kept insurers on a tighter lead than previous govenours of NYS, but how far that will go is anyone's guess.

New Jersey OTHO has more pressing needs as both the state and local government get large portions of their budgets from property taxes. Then there are tourist dollars from tourists and such to the shore/beaches. In either case it will not due for long to have almost the entire coastline lay in ruins. Mayors of beach towns are already saying they plan (hope) to be up and running by next summer. That seems pretty optimistic but again allot of revenue is riding upon it.

As for persons decamping en masse to other areas, maybe, maybe not. Those living in parts affected of Staten Island, and the barrier islands of Queens have been there for years and or their families for generations. Most will rebuild simply because it is a way of life they like and want their kids/grandkids to enjoy.

Will say am hearing that some in SI's "beach" towns and South Shore (South Beach, Midland Beach, etc..)who experienced major destruction of their homes may just take the money and run. For many of the old timers the area was changing anyway with lots of the people they knew either moving away or dying. In some cases their children unable to afford NYC housing have moved out off the Island already.

What is interesting is the different words coming out of the govenors of NYS and NJ. Cuomo is speaking about climate change and how NYS must build smarter and consider where persons are allowed to live/build. Christie OTHO is full steam ahead to rebuild/replace and so forth.

Of the two New Jersey has more coast line than New York IIRC and depends more upon that sea shore for revenue. It is going to be interesting to see how these affected areas look in five or ten years.

With both Mayor Bloomberg and Mr. Cuomo speaking about climate change that may give a wide range of interests an edge to do something they've wished for ages, curtail development along beach/water front property.

 

[stan]

Hello Dear (Laundress)

Glad to hear your alright!

Is it true that there is another storm out at sea, that expected to hit your area Friday or so??

 

[arbilab]

There is an Atlantic low that could strengthen and threaten the same area, but not with anywhere near the intensity or expanse of Sandy. Something like 40mph and 3" rain. 40mph would ordinarily be nothing, but with barriers broken it may be worse. And nobody needs rain with neighborhoods and infrastructure still underwater.

Bless everyone affected and those trying to help.

 

[launderess]

Hi Stan

Yes,a nor'easter is supposed to hit the North Atlantic seaboard area by Tuesday through Wednesday, but as pointed out upthread no where near as serious as Sandy.

Still for those without electric power and or heat, much less homes this is not good news.

 

[cleanteamofny]

I haven't had time to post and what I have seen in my own eye's and hear the stories of home owners in Howard Beach is beyond devastating.
If FEMA is dismantle what are the people to do that was not in a flood zone and have nowhere to live?
IT HAPPENED HERE IN NYC FOLKS!
Home are destroyed and the people have nowhere to live unless family and friends inland would take them in. 20-40,000 people displaced is a huge number to start over in a slightly weakened economy and I will post pictures as they become available.

By the way, the news haven't said much about Coney Island or City Island.....
We are coddled and sheltered from the reality of a bigger scope of destruction!
Riis Beach is where the garbage is being dumped to be sorted and transported out....

 

[cleanteamofny]

Dumping trucks at Riis Beach.

 

[cleanteamofny]

This home will never sell in 10 years!!

 

[cleanteamofny]

Sorry for the grainy photos, atill trying to figure out the Android 4 phone!

 

[cleanteamofny]

R

 

[whirlcool]

They (homeowners) are already putting their appliances out on the front curb for pickup. I saw one photo that must have had 10-12 refrigerators all lined up awaiting pickup.

Well, the cold weather will slow down anything from stinking. I imagine sales of electric heaters is brisk to say the least, at least in areas where there is power.

 

[Ultramatic]

Finally topped off

<span style="font-size: medium;">The three gas stations that were operational in my neighborhood were closed today...they ran out. Since I was going to Lowes anyway, I decided to try the Mobil near by. And yes, they had fuel, so I got on line, I was down to less 1/2 tank. Two and a half hours later I finally pulled up to the pump. Gas was $4.03 for regular, not too bad considering the $5.00 a gallon I saw yesterday. There were 4 police cruisers and about 12 officers. They were  very professional and courteous, even to the sneaks that were acting stupid and trying to cut into the line. One of the pumps was just for people with gas cans. It too was a long line. Felt sorry for them, it was a bit nippy at 34F. There was no purchase limit. I actually thanked God they didn't run out before I got to the pump. And yes, I took more pictures.  </span>

 

<span style="font-size: medium;">What I don't understand is WHY there is a shortage a week later. Oh I have heard everything from stations without any power to panic buying. But most of NYC didn't loose power, so why did the timely deliveries cease? Something stinks here. "They" say the shortage situation will "improve" by Thursday.  We shall see. On another note, driving back home on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, I happened to see a convoy of about twenty front loaders on a southbound lane. I imagine they were going to Staten Island or the Rockaways. Impressive sight.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: medium;">This Saturday I'm making a second trip to Staten Island to deliver more donations, mostly water and hand sanitizer this time. Hubby has finally arrived so he'll be helping me. And this time I will discretely take pictures. </span>

 

<span style="font-size: medium;">I can see that some office buildings in lower Manhattan are still dark, but this has to do more with the buildings themselves, not the power company. </span>

 

<span style="font-size: medium;">One final thing...don't forget to VOTE!!!</span>