Saturday, November 3, 2012

Hurricane Sandy
















Like much of New Jersey, my home was
without power for several days as Hurricane Sandy came barreling
through Princeton like a raging monster, scattering limbs and
destruction along her path. Trees that stood several stories high
toppled over like building blocks. This one, whose roots uplifted, crashed into a house
across the street - 







another pummeled a car at the end of the block. 




The Jersey shore, a special summer retreat for so many from the region, was devastated by the hurricane's fury, and
it may take a long time before those towns impacted by Sandy bear any
resemblance of their former glory. 




But in most cases, houses, cars, boardwalks and
amusement rides can be replaced. People cannot. Sadly, Hurricane Sandy claimed 80 lives, including Princeton's William Sword Jr., who survived a stabbing by an intruder in 2004, only to be killed in his yard when a tree fell and crushed him after the storm.







One of the positive things to come from the storm took place in New Jersey too, as our Republican governor, Chris Christie and President Obama, a democrat, seemed to be focused only on how to get our state back on track, not on partisan politics. If only Congress would take note and behave accordingly. Wouldn't it be great if all that money going to political ads for Tuesday's vote, went instead to help those who lost their homes during the storm? 




I was luckier than most. I have been
traveling in France and Italy for the past three weeks and returned yesterday, to a home that now has electricity and heat, and no
damage. I am grateful to my neighbors -  a special thank you to John, Insung, Sherry and Gerard, who secured my outdoor furniture, checked my basement for
water, and generally kept an eye on things for me while I was gone.
“It takes a village,” as the saying goes, and I am blessed to
live in a village and a neighborhood where people really do lend a hand to help each another.


 


If you want to help with a donation, President Obama said today that the best way to help those affected is to donate to the Red Cross. But if you want to volunteer in other ways, click here to find a list of places that need your help in New Jersey and in New York, including Staten Island and the Rockaways, two communities that were hard hit.


Starting soon, I will be posting about
some of the food, wine and beautiful sights I have seen during my
trip. But today, I want to dedicate this post to all those who are volunteering their time and energy to help their neighbors clean up from the aftermath of the storm, and offer a
hot shower, a warm meal or a place to sleep while they get back on their feet. 






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12 comments:

  1. Terrifying! Hope you are doing well...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. What a terrible moment for your country. It's nice to have good neighbours and friends... Thank you for sharing with all of us.

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  3. I don't even know what to say, It's overwhelming Linda. I will contribute and donate to the Red Cross, thank you for the link. Stay strong!

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  4. Oh, I so agree about $$ on political ads being better spent! The devastation from the storm will take a continued and committed effort to get through.

    I'm glad you found your home ok.

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  5. How truly devastating. I am so glad you are alright and that your home had no damage. Thanks fro sharing your thoughts.

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  6. Wonderful post, Linda! I am glad to hear you did not have hurricane damage! We were also incredibly fortunate, as not far from where I live amny were flooded out of theri homes and many lost power that has yet to come back.

    I have been voluteering at a temporary shelter In Brooklyn the past few days for people that lost their homes. It is wonderful to see how many people are helping and donating goods that are needed!

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  7. I shall post links and donate. My cousins are in Day 8 of no power. But their home is standing.

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  8. Ciao Linda ho visto in TV cosa è successo , questo uragano è stato devastante. I politici prima di tutto dovrebbero pensare alla gente che ha perso tutto. Ti sono vicina, un abbraccio Daniela.

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  9. So good to hear your home escaped without damage and your neighbors are angels. YAY for the Redcross and it's so easy to donate via text message.

    Hope everything is OK with this impending nor'easter.
    LL

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  10. It's just heartbreaking to see the devastation from the storm. We are helpless against the forces of Mother Nature. How is it possible to be prepared for such an event?

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  11. My heart goes out to those who suffered the damage. Down here we were lucky, not much damage at all. My folks lost electricity but thankfully no damage or flooding, even though they're right on the water.

    All the best—glad to hear you emerged unscathed!

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  12. ho seguito giorno per giorno le notizie in televisione, che terribile devastazione!spero che adesso le cose siano migliorate, l'America è un grande paese, si risolleverà di certo! Un abbraccio

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