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Watch | Digging Out in the Rockaways With the Help of Military Veterans
WNYC News ^ | November 13, 2012 | Jennifer Hsu

Posted on 11/14/2012 8:46:11 AM PST by Alice in Wonderland

Kathy Maggio, 56, lives a half block away from the beach on 126th Street, in a one-story brick house in Rockaway, Queens.

Hurricane Sandy severely damaged her house: Flood waters gushed in, leaving leaking ceilings, a ruined skylight, water-logged walls and a basement full of destroyed furniture, rugs, and boxes of photos and keepsakes.

Maggio said she saw volunteers in her hard-hit neighborhood shortly after the storm hit.

"So I saw these guys walking around, removing debris at a neighbor's house," Maggio said.

Two days later, she said, half a dozen volunteers were at her door. They were members of Team Rubicon, a nonprofit organization leading house-to-house relief work in the Rockaways.

(Excerpt) Read more at wnyc.org ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS: hurricanesandy
More than two weeks after Hurricane Sandy hit, the 130,000 residents of the Rockaways are still without heat, lights, and water. Every home suffered flooding damage and some were swept off their foundations. In addition to that, the secluded neighborhood of Breezy Point faced a conflagration that engulfed more than 100 houses. A dozen more homes burned to the ground in Belle Harbor and several blocks of stores were lost to fire in Rockaway Park.

Official help has been painfully slow but volunteer efforts have been more than amazing! Volunteers and donations are pouring in from far and wide! Besides Team Rubicon there are Mormons, and Sikhs, and other faith based groups.

For the first time in its history, Doctors Without Borders has responded to a crises within the United States. And Rockaway’s own Rockaway Youth Taskforce is doing an amazing job bringing food, water, blankets and other supplies to the disabled and elderly trapped on the upper floors of high rise buildings. Not all yuts cause mayhem.

I can’t say enough about the people of Occupy Wall Street, who are now operating under the name Occupy Sandy. They were the first to arrive after the storm and have setup refugee sites up and down the peninsula. They have even opened a medical clinic which they say will be a long-term community fixture. They are a highly organized and very efficient group. I guess they really did learn something during their encampment at Zuccotti Park.

Since there is not phone service, Facebook has been the way to communicate. And would you believe there’s an Amazon Wish List for those who want to help, but can’t in person!

The Rockaways are more than grateful for all the help they are receiving. Plans are already in the making for a great big fat “Thank You” party for Memorial Day weekend! And the Rockaways definitely know how to throw a party! Ask any Wounded Warrior.

1 posted on 11/14/2012 8:46:17 AM PST by Alice in Wonderland
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To: Alice in Wonderland

Thanks for the Amazon link! Just finished sending! Good luck to you all!


2 posted on 11/14/2012 9:07:14 AM PST by Jaxmum
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To: Alice in Wonderland

I am surprised to hear of basements on a barrier island (peninsula). A basement would seem to be a near permanent indoor pool. Isn’t the water table near the surface in such a place?


3 posted on 11/14/2012 9:08:16 AM PST by Mister Da (The mark of a wise man is not what he knows, but what he knows he doesn't know!)
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To: Mister Da

My husband’s father has a home in NJ on Long Beach Island (home of Seaside, aka Jersey Shore show).

He has a basement, a small one but an entire floor below the home. It’s always dry but for the occasional huge storm, and not all storms, either. It’s where their washer/dryer, water heater, etc are.

Not all homes have a basement on the island but many do. The home was built in 1927.


4 posted on 11/14/2012 10:45:31 AM PST by Beowulf9
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To: Jaxmum

I wasn’t looking for donations but that was super nice of you. Thank you very much!


5 posted on 11/14/2012 11:31:04 AM PST by Alice in Wonderland
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To: Mister Da
I really don't know where the water table is. My uncle had a cellar that had an entrance like this:

He lived across the street from the bay and I only remember him flooding once, during Hurricane Donna.

Some basements have apartments. I never cared for them much, they always have musty smells. This is a picture of the entrance to a friend's basement apartment. She lost everything. I sent her a check to help her get back on her feet.


6 posted on 11/14/2012 12:07:52 PM PST by Alice in Wonderland
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To: Alice in Wonderland

I thought that was a great idea, the wish list. I feel so badly for everyone with all the horrible stuff to deal with. It made me feel better, do to a little something, so thank you! Interesting post!


7 posted on 11/14/2012 7:32:14 PM PST by Jaxmum
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