FEMA office on Staten Island closes 'due to weather'

[Dave]

Thank god those people are not starving and have power... oh wait... they are starving and don't have power.... and FEMA people can't take a little bad weather, sucks to be them.

Looks as if FEMA is just a fair- weather friend.

Yesterday’s nor’easter proved too much for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s aid location in Tottenville, SI — which hung a sign reading “Closed due to weather” as the wintery storm blew into town.

Ten FEMA centers in the area reportedly suspended operations because of the storm, although the location with the sign at the Mount Loretto Community Center did open at noon.

NY Post: Chad Rachman

HUH? This sign on the door of a FEMA center in Tottenville, SI, yesterday speaks volumes about the conditions there.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/staten_island/it_bad_sign_for_st...

[Willy]

X

Didn't we get 12 or 13 inches of rain from that storm? I also remember a woman whose car fell into a crevasse created by an overflowing stream that washed out a road and she and her car were swept down that stream. Luckily someone saw the accident and pulled her out. I think she is co-owner of Briggs Hardware. That storm cost me thousands of dollars in tree removal services. 

[XLFD]

It was just under a foot in a very short period of time.  That crevasse opened up on Chauvez Road between Old 31 and the golf course, when the woman's car drove over the road that appeared to be intact until she got on it.  The LFD responded to that and it made national weather news. 

Like many others, I suffered many hundreds of dollars of damages due to flooding, the main culprit, but it sounds like you had to repair wind damage, Willy.  BTW, that storm marked my first run-in with the City of Ludington and its incapability of honoring its word, or following protocol. 

[Lisa O'Brien]

 

full NYPD account of Staten Island water rescues at height of storm


The following is the full text, vebatim and unedited, of an NYPD release by Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Paul Browne, detailing the police rescue efforts during Hurricane Sandy. It also includes an update on the city's death toll from the storm.--

Post-Storm Update, Sunday November 11, 1050 Hours 

The death of Albert McSwain, age 77, at Jamaica Hospital yesterday has been determined by the Medical Examiner to be storm-related, bringing to 43 the number of people killed in New York City as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Mr. McSwain was found at the bottom of the steps of his apartment building, that was dark and without power 84-10 Rockaway Beach Boulevard by family members on October 31 at 1515 hours. He had trauma to his head and body and was paralyzed from the neck down. Family members hailed police officers in a passing police car who then summoned an ambulance. Mr. McSwain was transported to Jamaica Hospital where, on Saturday, November 10, he succumbed to his injuries. Mr. McSwain was a custodian at the New York City Police Academy. Appointed: 02-19-68, retired 09-12-91

Storm-related deaths by borough:

Staten Island: 23

Queens: 11 

Brooklyn: 7 

Manhattan : 2

Total : 43

Citywide, one police officer died and 78 more incurred line of duty injuries, while more than a thousand suffered catastrophic damage to their homes. 

Midland Beach and Staten Island generally. 

As in other storm-hit precincts, officers in the 122nd Precint and elsewhere on State Island reported to duty even when they were not required to. The made rescues, saved lives and brought people to shelter through the storm, including the first 12 hours, when many risked their lives to make rescues on Midland Beach and other hard hit areas . Officers whose own homes suffered catastrophic losses from which they have yet to recover responded. There were transformers exploding and the danger of live wires in the water.

The water surge was so intense during Hurricane Sandy that NYPD rescue personnel were capsized at one point. When another officer resorted to a jet sky to effect a rescue, he was thrown from it by the surging waters. Off-duty Police Officer Artur Kasprzak was able to save his family but not himself. At one point the surge was so intense and the debris field atop the rising waters so dense that rescue craft could make headway. That's when police officers roped themselves to trees to rescue a pregnant woman and child.

Police officers on Staten Island warned residents to evacuate from low lying areas, including Midland Beach. Sgt. Anthony Lisi, of NYPD Emergency Service Squad 5, whose extended comments continue below, noted "Many people who were rescued stated to ESU / SOD personnel that they knew about the evacuation but decided to stay and ride out the storm . They also cited that the forecasters had been wrong so many times before, and there had been so many false alarms, that they felt the same was happening with Hurricane Sandy." Midland Beach Civic Association President Jasymin Amarato told Captain Veneziano that many residents were staying because they considered the previous evacuation associated with Hurricane Irene to be unnecessary

On the Sunday, October 28 two police cars were designated as "storm autos" that evening. They made announcements over the cars' loudspeaker through all areas of the evacuation zone, instructing residents to evacuate . The next day, Monday, October 29 four police car were designated storm autos, making loudspeaker announcements to evacuate and to stop driving.

On Monday at about noon, Captain Joseph Veneziano, the Commanding Officer of the 122 Pct, contacted the presidents of the Midland Beach Civic Association and the South Beach Civic Association. Jasymin Amarato is the Midland Beach President and Joe McCallister is the South Beach President. Captain Veneziano told both civic association presidents that their neighborhoods should be evacuated. Both Civic association presidents stated that they would inform their members but both presidents stated that many residents are staying due to the false alarm with Hurricane Irene. Irene Flooded only a few feet and basements. The Midland Beach president, Jasmyn Amarato, lost her home during the storm. After the storm, Captain Veneziano personally took her and her husband to their home. On Monday morning after the first high tide, they had evacuated to a friend's house. After the storm, Captain Veneziano visited the Mccallister home but they had no damage.

On the night of the storm all 122 Precinct personnel were handling multiple storm radio runs. There were more than 1,100 water rescues over the course of several days on Staten Island, according to Assistant Chief Kevin Ward, the Staten Island Borough Commander. Sgt Walsh along with other PO Osorio, PO Sobolewska, PO Sinclair, and others performed a several rescues. PO Sobolewska carried a toddler through water. PO Nutter and PO Aiello were in knee deep water and rescued at least six people on Adams Avenue from Midland Beach. These two also rescued a family from an overturned car on Hylan Blvd when an awning of a restaurant blew off hit the car causing it to swerve and overturn. PO Ramirez and Ryan were on Armsrtong Avenue in knee deep water rescuing people and getting them into department vehicles for transport to shelters. While doing so they were told that there is a person on life support that resides in 46 Armstrong. They waded through possibly electrified water only to find out the person had evacuated. Lt. Rogan and Sgt. Jerome were in knee deep water rescuing and obtaining transport for people at Roma Avenue and New Dorp Lane, doing so while being told that the water was possibly electrified. Not far from this location Auxiliary Lt. Jasmin Djombolic was carrying children in waste deep water. For a period of time Aux Lt. Djombolic was unaccounted for, shortly thereafter, he was discovered emerging from the flood with kids in his arms. PO Detrain and PO Vaccaro were using the Barrier truck to rescue people from water off of New Dorp lane. The truck eventually bogged down in water and mud. Lt. Peruffo and his Sgt from auto Larceny were rescuing people off of Guyon avenue in the Oakwood Beach area. There were radio transmissions that we could not find his Sgt for a few minutes, Chief Ward recalled. He said all personnel were transporting people to shelters. The 122 Pct had a continuous flow of people seeking shelter. During the night, several hundred people and sought shelter at the precinct and were transported to shelters.

Observations by 122nd Pct Sgt Thomas Walsh , Monday, October 29: 122nd Pctinto Tuesday, October 30

Subject: 122 water rescues

" 1856 hours Sergeant Walsh and PO Sobolewska were in van 8510 when a 911 job came over on Father Cap and Seaview Ave, for a water rescue of a blue Volkswagen. When we arrived the water was rising rapidly and we observed a 2nd stranded vehicle a minivan occupied with 2 children and 4 adults, requiring evacuation. We loaded up the van and were able to transport (we did get stuck for about 5 mins in the mud)

" 1950 hrs During the time of the above water rescue the day tour was "10-2" for dismissal, by the time we got back to the command we dropped off the evacuees , PO Osorio was going in to sign in when I grabbed her to respond with us down to 20 Doty Avenue, 

"1930 hrs, We arrived on Robin Rd and exited the vehicle we were unable to travel in the vehicle anymore due to the water level, at this time we entered the water to get to 20 Doty, at this time we observed an infant and its parents that were evacuated by the 122 personal, we took the family into the van and removed them to Staten Island University North for evaluation.

" 2030 hrs After dropping off the family at the hospital we returned to Robin Road and continued with evacuation of the area, but was unable to reach the block of 20 Doty, we continued to pick up individuals in the Van and transport to either Petrides High school or the 122 Precinct depending on the location

"2100-0030 we were driving in Van (Walsh, Sobolewska and Osorio were transporting individuals to shelter or pct)

"At approximately 0100 hours we were able to transport the family of 20 Doty Avenue to Staten Island University North."

Observations by Sgt. Anthony Lisi ESS # 5 Comments about NYPD SOD/ESU initial rescue efforts on Staten Island

"The New York City Police Department's Special Operations Division performed at peak performance for the first 24 hours of Hurricane Sandy. The initial assignment started at 1830 hours Monday night when the 911 system was inundated with emergency requests for water rescue. At 1900 hours Monday night all bridges that connect Staten Island to Brooklyn or New Jersey were closed, therefore limiting personnel and equipment able to effect rescues to the police personnel present in Staten Island at that time. The men and women of the Emergency Service Unit in Staten Island (approximately 30 Members of Service), along with strong assistance from the Special Operations Division (Harbor Unit, SCUBA Unit personnel, approximately 10 personnel ) performed 350-400 civilian rescues from 1900 hours Monday to 1900 hours Tuesday. Off-duty SOD personnel came in from home (and left their families even though they didn't have to) in order to come into work and do the best they could to rescue stranded civilians. The members of ESU / SOD worked side by side with the FDNY, doing everything they could to get to the thousands of stranded civilians who for one reason or another did not evacuate the flood zone. 

"Large floating debris that damaged our boats and equipment, and injured our personnel. Members of ESU /SOD performed valiantly under extreme conditions in order to rescue people. That first night ESU / SOD personnel had at their disposal a large zodiac boat with a 40 hp motor, an inflatable zodiac boat without a motor, and a Yamaha jet ski, as well as 2 large metal Jon boats from the 122 Precinct. With all the power lines down it was decided not to use the metal Jon boats because it was too dangerous to the first responders and the civilians they were trying to rescue. Officers even had to go as far as commandeer rubber boats that were floating by and use them to rescue stranded civilians. Boats with and without powerful motors became useless and ineffective after some time due to the large debris, the strong current and depth of the water, and the small streets that were difficult to navigate. Additionally live power lines were falling down into the water making rescues extremely hazardous to first responders. So utilizing boats became extremely difficult to use due to the strong, rising currents of water and the live power lines sparking everywhere. This was not standing water within the first 12 to 24 hours, as the current was powerful enough to move houses off their foundations.

"It was very difficult to go from one assignment from the 911 dispatcher to the next due to the fact that, for instance, when ESU personnel arrived on scene to rescue the 911 caller, another 10 families on the block who needed to be evacuated would ask for assistance as well. This happened throughout the night and would occupy 5 to 7 ESU personnel for hours. 

"The NYPD's pre-Hurricane Sandy role included notifying the areas in Zone "A" about the mandatory evacuation using RMPS utilizing their turret lights and loudspeakers, which delivered messages as well as LED scrolling signs on the back of police vehicles directing the general public to evacuate. This was conducted throughout Sunday into Monday before and as the storm hit. Many people who were rescued stated to ESU / SOD personnel that they knew about the evacuation but decided to stay and ride out the storm. They also cited that the forecasters had been wrong so many times before, and there had been so many false alarms, that they felt the same was happening with Hurricane Sandy.

"The men and women of the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit and Special Operations Division performed well above and beyond the call of duty and acted valiantly and diligently at great risk to their own lives when rescuing stranded civilians throughout the storm."

Other water rescues reported by Captain Robert Bocchio, 123rd Pct, Staten Island

• ON MONDAY OCTOBER 29, 2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 2000 HOURS, SGT EMANUAL SCHININA, AND PO WILLIAM COSTELLO,, RESPONDED TO A WATER RESCUE JOB AT 464 MANHATTAN STREET. THE OFFICERS WERE UNABLE TO REACH THE LOCATION DUE TO THE HEIGHT OF WATER, SO SGT. SCHININA CALLED FOR A JOHN BOAT. SGT. THOMAS ROSSITER, PO EDWARD HALLIGAN, , PO DANIEL RICCARDI , AND PO DANIEL CONDO RESPONDED WITH THE BOAT. SGT ROSSITER AND PO HALLIGAN GOT IN THE BOAT AND ATTEMPTED TO RESCUE PEOPLE WITH THE BOAT BUT THE TIDE AND WIND WAS PULLING THE BOAT OUT TO SEA AND PO HALLIGAN HELD ONTO A TREE TO AVOID BEING SWEPT OUT TO SEA. THE OFFICERS RETREATED AND ALONG WITH ABOVE STATED OFFICERS ENTERED THE CHEST DEEP WATER ON FOOT TO EVACUATE NUMEROUS RESIDENCES ON THE BLOCK. PO COSTELLO CARRIED A 10 YEAR OLD GIRL ON HIS BACK TO SAFETY AND WAS LATER HIT BY A FALLING BRANCH WHICH INJURED HIS SHOULDER AND CAUSED A LACERATION TO HIS LEFT HAND. OFFICERS WENT HOUSE TO HOUSE ON MANHATTAN STREET BETWEEN CLERMONT AVE AND BILLOP AVE. AND SAVED NUMEROUS PEOPLE INCLUDING A MAN WHO HAD RECENT HEART SURGERY, AND 2 DOGS.

• AT APPROXIMATELY 2030 HOURS A 10-13 WAS BROADCASTED OVER THE AIR BY OFF DUTY NARCOTICS K-9 DETECTIVE PAUL ZITO SGT. ROSSITER, PO HALLIGAN, PO RICCARDI, AND PO CONDO BROUGHT THE BOAT FROM MANHATTAN STREET TO YETMAN AVE AND MET UP WITH THE UNDERSIGNED. PO RICCARDI AND PO CONDO ENTERED THE BOAT WITH 2 UNKNOWN FIREMAN AND ATTEMPTED TO GET TO THE HOUSE BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL DUE DO DEBRIS FROM COLLAPSED HOUSES. THE OFFICERS RETREATED AND THEN ALONG WITH SGT ROSSITER ENTERED THE WAIST HIGH WATER AND RESCUED 14 PEOPLE FROM NUMEROUS RESIDENCES ON THE BLOCK BUT COULD NOT GET TO DET. ZITO'S RESIDENCE. THE UNDERSIGNED MAINTAINED RADIO CONTACT WITH THE DETECTIVE AND HE EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS IN THE HOUSE WITH HIS PREGNANT WIFE AND HIS 2 YEAR OLD SON AND THE WATER WAS RISING. THE UNDERSIGNED ALONG WITH PO RICCARDI AND PO CONDO WALKED DOWN TO THE HOUSE IN WAIST DEEP WATER AND HAD TO CLIMB ON FLOATING DEBRIS TO REACH THE HOUSE. THE UNDERSIGNED COORDINATED A LINE OF POLICE OFFICERS IN THE WATER TO PASS OUT THE CHILD AND HELP OUT THE DETECTIVE AND HIS WIFE. SGT. THOMAS SPITZFADEN AND PO SCOTT ZEITLER JOINED THE ABOVE STATED OFFICERS IN ACCOMPLISHING THIS RESCUE. OF THE PERSONS RESCUED ON THIS BLOCK ONE HAD RECENT LIVER SURGERY AND ONE WAS AN ELDERLY WOMAN AND HER DOG. SGT ROSSITER, PO RICCARDI, AND PO CONDO WERE REMOVED TO SIUH SOUTH WHERE THEY WERE TREATED AND RELEASED FOR HYPOTHERMIA.

• SGT SPITZFADEN AND PO ZEITLER RETURNED TO DET. ZITO'S HOUSE WITH THE DETECTIVE AFTER THE TIDE HAD RECEDED A LITTLE AND RESCUED HIS K-9 DOG. SERGEANT SPIZTFADEN AND OFFICER ZEITLER THEN WENT TO MANHATTAN ST. WHERE THEY EVACUATED 3 MORE RESIDENCES INCLUDING A WOMAN AND HER 3 YORKIE DOGS FROM 675 MANHATTAN ST. 

Rockaway Food Cart

On Friday, November 9, NYPD Intelligence Division Detective Qudratulla Mashriqi , known as "Q" joined by three of his brothers, one of whom owns a food cart, drove to the Rockaways, knocked on doors there to inform people that they had free food available from the cart they placed at Beach 129 street and Rockaways Blvd, from which they served approximately 600 meals without charge for seven hours until their stocks ran out. The cart normally does business at Queens College.

In my opinion, a lot of people put themselves and others in harms way, because they failed to evacuate.

[AQUAMAN]

Thanks Lisa, very descriptive and gruesome details for sure. It appears like the real heroes are the NYPD & NYFD during and after the crisis days. I still wish FEMA was more involved, and that they too would feel inclined to put their lives on the line like the other heroes. Even if they only helped evacuate and get water and food to those lost souls, it would make a big difference. Perhaps the whole FEMA program needs a total overhaul, i.e., be more programmed for actual help and rescue, not just paperwork for claims. Hats off to the real heroes that made a difference yesterday, today, and into the future.

[Willy]

Good post Lisa. I don't think anyone here is trying to diminish the anguish people suffered during and after Sandy. My only point is that if this storm had been a category 5 the loss of life and property in an area like New York would have been catastrophic. And I will bet a lot of the folks that stayed had nowhere else to go and may have had no way to get there even if they did. The New York area  is the most populated metropolitan area in the U.S. and a lot of those people just don't have the resources required to pick up and go.

[Lisa O'Brien]

Yes and no - the city has evacuation centers, plus the city would make every effort to get them out, all they had to do was ask. They stayed because they felt it was going to be another Hurricane Irene where the damage was done more inland that at the shore line. It infuriates me they chose to stay and put others lives in danger, and then have the nerve to complain they're cold and hungry. They had some woman complaining that her infant granddaughter did not have any formula 2 days after the storm. Personally I think they should take the child away from it's family, first they didn't evacuate when told and then didn't have enough brains to stock up on necessary supplies for the infant.

[AQUAMAN]

I see your points now Lisa, and quite agree. I think this dovetails nicely with what we have seen at our waterfront here in Ludington of recent and past: there are all too many thrill seekers that want to go swimming in undertoe high wave conditions, with jet skis, sailboards, kyaks, and surf boards, not just Ludington, but I also saw this in the Chicago papers. They also wonder out on breakwalls with 15' cresting waves without regard to those that have to make special efforts to save the dimwits. This doesn't apply to all of course, but, to those that it does, it's a shame and just stupid. Too many are throwing caution to the wind, for jollies, and that isn't fair to the rescuers that have to respond in kind to risk their innocent lives too.