Memories Of Hurricane Sandy, NYC. (Journal Entry Oct. 2012)
During The Storm:
All black, no power, just a flicker of candle light. As I listen to Howlin' Wolf on my ipod, but Sandy is howling louder outside. My windows are taking a beating, the screens are blown away and my fence is down. Can't see much else but the faint white light like a beacon of the Empire State Building. Now I hear church bells chiming in the distance and sirens going off and on with a smell of burnt rubber and wood in the air.
Day 6 of the Sandy Aftermath:
We still have no electrical power. However, I am fortunate to live on higher ground and did not suffer the flood. On day 5 i heard stories of a liquor store a few miles away that was spared from the power outage, and is freely sharing its blessed electric juice with all in need. I was on a mission to get my phone charged and to contact my love ones. As I pack my bag and head out on my journey the elderly lady from apartment B pops her head out the door.
"Be careful, Hooligans out causing trouble again." I smile and assure her I will be alright. I ask, "Do you need anything while I'm out?" she replies "No honey, you be safe." I say "don't worry, I be back before dark"
As I stand on top of my stoop I look out to gray ominous sky. I realize with no sun, no watch, i have no idea of the time, and how soon the sky will go black. I almost turn back, but the thought of my mom worrying moved me forward. No ATM, no cash, no debit, no credit, just change jingling in my coat pocket. I walk a few blocks to the corner store, I see everybody outside sharing information, I overhear the chatter:
"Do you have power yet?," "I heard all of downtown is flooded"
Anarchy spray painted on the walls, Small groups gathered outside powerless grocery stores trying to buy what they can. The selves in the darkened stores are almost cleaned bare. I share a few coins with the elderly ladies on the corner begging for food. I keep moving up the boulevard. No xbox, no playstation, kids play ball outside the flooded subway train station. Police and military presence everywhere, helicopters buzzing in the air.
"Almost there, Almost there" I say to myself.
The sky is getting darker, I have less time than I thought. Then, there it is, in the dark cold night the neon lights of the liquor store glows like an angel. Eureka! Hallelujah! I charge my phone and call my mom, talking to all the comers-and-goers in the liquor store, a festive atmosphere. One hour later and still no full charge, dammit. Too many people, charging too slow. Ring-a-ling, a police officer enters the store.
"There is a city-wide emergency curfew, everyone must go home now."
Dang, 50% charge and I have to go. Its pitch black now, you can't see your hand in front of your face. I have to walk through three hoods to get home, a little cause for concern. Thank God i packed my flashlight to illuminate my steps. Whoop Whoop, the sound of the police.
"Mandatory Curfew, Go home" "Mandatory Curfew, Go home"
Red and Blue lights flashing. I am walking quickly trying to find my way home. I hit a fork in the road, I pause for a moment, but i decide to take shortcut through a very dark alley. Halfway through I think i see something creeping in the darkness...
BANG, CRASH!
Startled, I jump to the right, muscles tensed in self defense. I shine my light to the left and I see the beady eyes of sewer rat as large as a small poodle. Flooded out the deepest depths of the city, fighting a pack of alley cats for scraps. A part of me wanted to stay and witness this epic battle but I keep moving towards home. There it is only a block away, my home looking like a Gothic castle, the brownstone on the hill overlooking the city that never sleeps. #hurricanesandy
Story and photos by Nathan J. Taylor
Hurricane Sandy (unofficially known as "Superstorm Sandy") was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, and the second-costliest hurricane in United States history. - Wikipedia