Long Island Buried

Dangerous conditions and historic snow snarl communities

The winter storm that hit the northeast over the weekend had a tremendous effect on Long Island, New York, especially Suffolk County and Town of Brookhaven.

People joked about stocking up on supplies before the storm, but it became no joke when roads became unusable and residents could not leave their homes for days.  Schools were closed early Friday and eventually Monday and Tuesday since streets were still not plowed.

"The storm hit at a time commuters were making their way back from the city," said Suffolk county Executive Steven Bellone. "The snow just swallowed them up. It came down so hard and so fast." 

Read the rest of the story on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter William Russell

Photo: Snow buries Kid Reporter William Russell's bloc in Sound Beach. This was the scene all over Brookhaven Town in Long Island, New York, after the winter storm. (William Russell)
 

Cold Ice, Warm Hearts

Hockey is a fast, intense sport. And yesterday the New York Islanders showed it also has a heart.

The National Hockey League (NHL) team held the Hockey with a Heart Hurricane Sandy fundraiser on Monday at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. From 2-8 p.m., the Islanders opened up their home ice to the public and collected donations of money, clothing, and non-perishable food items. 

But there was more to the fundraiser than just the skate. The Islanders Ice girls and team mascot Sparky were there showing their spirit. They were had interactive games set up around the rink for the children who came to the Coliseum. Food and drinks were also available.

All proceeds went to the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Relief fund, and Island Harvest collected the many items the fans donated. 

Read the rest of the story on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter William Russell

Photo: More than 2,000 Long Islanders, New Yorkers, and other residents of the tri-state take part in an open-skate fundraiser in Long Island hosted by the New York Islanders. (Courtesy New York Islanders)

Another Swing from Mother Nature

Last week, communities in New York and New Jersey were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. Many people were left homeless after the storm, while others are still without power and heat.

But on Wednesday, another storm took aim at the east coast.

Winter Storm Athena moved into the same parts of New York and Jersey still recovering from Sandy. Athena brought with it very cold temperatures, heavy rains, lots of snow, and strong winds. The National Weather Service predicts Athena will also cause a 2-4-foot storm surge. This will cause moderate flooding in areas who have yet to dry out from the last storm.

For the rest of the story, visit the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website.

—Kid Reporter William Russell

Photo: Snow covers debris piles as flood waters start to return to neighborhoods in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, on Wednesday November 7, 2012, as a nor'easter hits. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry) 

Voters in Long Island focused on economy

Despite Hurricane Sandy hitting Long Island hard, many people still came out to vote.

One week ago, Long Islanders were coming out of their homes to the damage of Hurricane Sandy. Today they were coming out to vote for the next President of the United States.  It’s been a tough week and out in Long Island power is still out for many. There are 70 polling places in Nassau County alone! Many polling places are running on generators from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Suffolk County relocated eight of its polling places. Lines to vote across the Island were long, but here in Miller Place we were lucky and the power came on just in time. Lines moved fast and the atmosphere was positive.

I spoke with a few Miller Park residents as they came out of the voting stations. I started first asking if residents had a hard time getting to the voting station. Everyone said that they had no trouble despite no power and gas shortages. But we also passed many people walking to the voting station. When asked what his biggest concern for the country right now was, Paul Hanson replied the economy. And he was not alone. Most people I interviewed said it was their primary concern. A young man named Michael Body said, “As a young student, I am worried how I am going to get a job and pay for school.” Peggy Reardon from Sound Beach added, “For me, it would be Medicare. But for the country, bringing the troops home.”

As you can see, concerns are many for Long Islanders.

Tonight, Americans wait to hear who the next President will be. Whoever that is has a big job ahead of them.

—Kid Reporter William Russell

Hurricane Sandy ravages Long Island

When Hurricane Sandy hit Long Island she was not in a good mood!

Monday night the winds picked up to 80 mile-an-hour gusts and knocking out the lights. When they went out, it was fun for about an hour then it became very boring and creepy.

The next day, we saw the wreckage. It looked like a giant stepped on us. Trees were down everywhere and wires were tangled. Generously, our neighbors lent us a generator for the night but we got very lucky and our power came on. Many in my town are not so lucky. Wednesday became recovery day and putting back together our lives. Streets were blocked and traffic lights were out which made driving really dangerous.

All week we have not had school. I was lucky and we still went trick or treating, but very carefully. All day you hear chainsaws and generators buzzing everywhere you go. People flocked to the local shopping center to get cell phone service and wifi. After the storm, nearly 90 percent of Long Island lost power. Many houses on the south shore are underwater and people have lost everything. Long Beach was especially hard hit. The storm changed the landscape of Long Island.

People with power are helping those without by letting them take showers and charge devices. So many are reaching out to help each others. Local food stores are collecting food for those who have lost everything.

While neighbors focus on recovery, another big problem has sprung up: Since the harbors were closed, there is a gas shortage. People have begun to panic. Yesterday, lines at gas stations were hours long! We waited at one where the police were called because people were fighting. Today, lines are still long but most has stations either don't have power or are out of gas.

Intersections without power have had stop signs added to help cutdown on the traffic accidents. We hope to be back to school Monday and things start to get back to normal.

Hurricane Sandy was truly a Frankenstorm!

—Kid Reporter William Russell

Photo: A downed tree lies in the road in Long Island. (Courtesy William Russell)