Surviving Hurricane Sandy

Hello All,

It’s been a difficult couple of days in NYC following Hurricane Sandy. I’m sure you’ve all been watching the news and have seen the incredible images of the flooding and damages that occurred in lower Manhattan and in the surrounding boroughs. While my roommate and I are without power, water, and heat I am extremely thankful that I am safe, along with my family and friends in NJ. Some lost their homes, their businesses, and their loved ones due to Sandy and I hope that we can all lend love and support to anyone who needs it in the coming weeks and months.

While the damages from the storm were greatly humbling, they also brought a softer side of NYC to light – those fortunate enough to have power opened their homes to others, restauranteurs cooked up meals to feed those in need for free, and New Yorkers actually smiled at each other on the street from time to time. I have to give a special shout-out to New York Sports Club for opening their doors to the public so that I (a non-member) could have a hot shower before work this morning.

As the cleanup and rebuilding commences, there’s a feeling of solidarity spreading through the streets of New York and it feels pretty…nice. So while Hurricane Sandy brought about many tragic results, it also highlighted why it is great to be a part of this amazing, resilient city.

Here are a few shots I took on Tuesday afternoon around Times Square and the East River post-Sandy:

Pigeons flocked together to keep warm post-storm.

The Bryant Park Christmas Shoppes braved the storm. Thankfully it looks like none of them suffered any major damage.

Lots of stores closed early to prep for Sandy’s arrival, and many still remain closed.

Sandy may have taken away the Naked Cowboy’s power, but never his dignity.

Tree down in Murray Hill post-Sandy. We thankfully suffered minimal damages in the area.

My roommate Kristen and I (yes, we have the exact same name) decided to investigate Sandy’s effects on the area around the East River & 34th St. on Tuesday.

Grey skies over the East River with a helicopter surveying the scene.

A babushka lady expressed concerned.

Lots of debris was scattered everywhere along the East River running path. Runners gotta run though.

So much debris.

More wooden planks on the running path.

This debris is NOTHING compared to lower Manhattan and the Jersey Shore. We are very lucky.

My beloved running path wheat grasses did not survive the storm. They were all practically gone.

Some found comfort in getting back to the normal routine.

Dogs being dogs.

Flooding occurred in the first floor of this apartment building near the East River. Roto Rooter was on the scene pumping water out of the lobby and cleaning the carpets.

Good Samaritans already volunteering their time to get things back to normal.

Every store, bank, and coffee shop above 40th street had people charging their phones, iPads, and computers from any available outlet or power strip.

While most Starbucks were closed on Tuesday, they all still offered free WiFi for clever New Yorkers.

NYC’s version of the dove carrying the olive leaf – a pair of two perfectly white pigeons to signify the end of the storm.

Stay safe, stay strong, & keep on wandering.

– Kristen