My title of this post says it all ! and it was one of the writings on a home I saw today in my hometown of Staten Island NY .
When Hurricane Sandy hit us on last Sunday night no one thought it would be a huge storm I personally didn't believe it I thought OK another rainy and crazy windy night ! the news always blows up these storms no biggie ! And then she came !! I luckily do not live near the water I am more inland and all we suffered from was some roof shingles falling and to be honest we were like the only block on Staten island that didn't lose power we joked about it and thought OK that was it a crazy windy night. When everything passed and we started watching the news I couldn't believe my eyes This isn't Staten island I thought to my self this is insane ! Rockaway , Breezy point , Long island and New jersey and many more shore line communities lost so much but when it hits your home town you need to get out there and help It was tugging at my heart !
I think the confirmed death toll here was 23 as of today . Most people did not evacuate because of looting in the Hurricane Irene last year as a result a 13 yr old girl and her father passed away the mother still in critical condition there bodies were found under the rubble of the home and in the near by woods . These are stories you hear everyday ! a mother had waves literally rip her children out of her arms and into the waves its heart breaking and unimaginable .
I was stuck in the house for 4 days because of this lack of gasoline issue we are having here as well . Then finally we gassed up and I went out there not expecting what I saw at all .
Now I am not from the town of Tottenville but I grew up in a town not too far went to Jr high school and high school there ! hung out on the beaches and in the parks Have friends that live and work there been shopping and had great memories there ! I am not from Midland beach but played soccer in miller field ! had volleyball games at new dorp HS and went for Ices almost every night in the summer at the local ice cream shop my whole child/teen hood !
My Friends and I went to Tottenville town to help out with the clean up and I an choosing not to put up and pics just out of respect of the peoples homes these are and were. It looked like a bomb hit it ! the homes on the water were completely flooded out and ripped off of the foundations . There were clothes , pictures and personal belongings all over the woods that blew away from these homes all there memories everything gone ! I couldn't believe it . Although there were tons of people cleaning out homes and helping the rebuilding stage we took to the streets handing out donated water and food then setting up a station of donated clothing and food and drinks and baby stuff etc and just helping these people get some type of normal back !
The community came together people flocked there it was amazing to see soo many people give and care it really warms your heart it shows you how strong we are and how caring people are when you need them .
You may have heard about Staten Island as Snotty .. Staten Italy .. The Mob wives and over the top Jersey shore wanna be kids and being from there yes I have thought it too and said ugh cant wait to get off this island but after this week and today I AM PROUD of my island and the people who live here we are considered the forgotten island by others but as a whole we never forget Each other !
I am going to start a toy drive for those children who were effected by this storm here on the island and go door to door with friends delivering toys for the holidays I will keep you posted any help is appreciated.
I pray for all the families who were effected by this not only on Staten Island but everywhere . My heart goes out to you and Stay Strong and rebuild !!
What a beautiful post. We are watching the updates on the news on the west coast and cannot believe our eyes. Water is nothing to mess with. The power of water is unbelievable I have seen people swept away from the ocean and I have never trusted it again when you mix in the wind and the sheer power of this storm...awful. We pray for you everyday and keep you in our thoughts. As you said stay strong united you can get through anything.
ReplyDeletei f you have a photo of our house on Rockaway St.,the one with the writing, You have our permission to post it. The message was for all to see.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what exact street it was on I have horrible sense of direction lol but I didn't take a photo I didn't want to seem rude ! I wish I would of to show it thank you though and god bless ! Thank you mommy bags !!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is really a heartbreaking tragedy as some people lost more than their properties. Good thing that your house and your roof were strong enough to bear the wrath of Hurricane Sandy. But I suggest that you inspect your roof and the whole house. There might be some parts that need repairs and replacement.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness nothing serious happened. The “Sandy” devastation is really heart-breaking. Some people lost a great deal during this Frankenstorm. Floods, torn-off roofs, and property damage were the physical manifestation. But the emotional wreckage left by storm is really distressing. However, in every tragedy, the only thing that is left to do is to start over.
ReplyDeleteOnly a home with strong structure would be able to withstand the strength of Hurricane Sandy. It's a good thing that you have strong dwelling place. However, have you checked out the gutter and roof of your house? It's important to have it regularly checked for it's the most essential part of our outer house. Let's all just hope that this occurrence would never happen again.
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