I would take this with a grain of salt. I know someone who lives on Staten Island, and he told me (2 days after the storm) that he never lost power.
I have a friend who fared just as well, but has another family staying with them because they lost everything. My brother lives in Brooklyn, and had power restored in a couple of days, but also has friends from Staten Island who lost everything staying with him.
But I read it on Free Republic! It’s gotta be true! LOL!