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Sandy shortages angering many

November 2, 2012

Fuel shortages, power outages and a slow recovery process have left many of Sandy's victims upset. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has added to the frustration by deciding to go forward with Sunday's marathon.

https://p.dw.com/p/16c9C
People wait for gas at a Hess fuelling station in Brooklyn, New York Harbor, November 2, 2012. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
Image: Reuters

Anger is mounting for residents in the New York City area affected by the superstorm Sandy. Despite area pipelines and ports providing more fuel, lines continue to grow at the pump.

Residents have been forced to wait hours to purchase more gas, with many stations having lines well over 100 cars long. By some estimates, nearly three quarters of the area's pumps are closed.

Normality returns after superstorm Sandy

Authorities are trying to solve the fuel crisis by lifting tax and registration requirements for incoming tankers. One ship carrying 2 million gallons of gasoline docked north of New York City last night. Domestic oil pipelines have also resumed fuel deliveries.

But as many gas stations lacking the electricity to receive fuel deliveries, the shortages remain.

Getting around the city

With major parts of New York's subway flooded and gas in short supply, residents have been forced to commute into the city by alternative means, with many finding the ferries to be the best option.

More than 2,000 people attempted to board New York's East River Ferry Thursday, creating a line that stretched down the block.

"I have never had to deal with anything like this," said Chris Radditz, an East River Ferry employee working to organize the potential passengers into an orderly line. "It's been pretty insane."

Marathon frustration

Many residents are upset with Mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision to go forward with Sunday's New York City Marathon. Bloomberg has insisted the event, which attracts 40,000 runners, will not direct resources away from the recovery effort, but some citizens are not convinced.

"I just walked past four huge generators," said Marjorie Dial, a tourist from Oregon. "Those could be put to use for people who need them."

New York City Councilman James Oddo wrote on his Twitter account: "If they take one first responder from Staten Island to cover this marathon, I will scream."

Days after the storm that killed more than 100 people in the US and Canada, more than 2 million people are still without power in New York and New Jersey. Most utility companies say it could be a week or longer until electricity is restored completely.

dr/mz (Reuters, AFP, dpa)