What a storm. I have to say, Hurricane Sandy was unlike any other storm I've ever experienced. I expected a lot of wind and rain, but as the storm slowly moved into the city Monday night, I admit I was a bit disappointed that it didn't seem all that dramatic. That evening around 5pm, I shot this video on 2nd Avenue and St Mark's, which shows how seemingly dull Sandy appeared:
About an hour later, the intensity picked up and it got dark quickly, so I decided to head home. Even then, you can see in this video of my walk to First Avenue that things are still not that unusual - there were strong gusts of wind, but more blowing rain than anything else.
But, by then it was already too late. Sandy was sneaky and deceptive. Flooding from the storm surge had already begun and the power would go out two hours later and last almost five days. And, the nights in between each of those days were the darkest I've ever known. I've concluded there is no darker place than the city without its lights.
Here we are looking west on 6th Street at Avenue A (that's the Cherry Tavern on the right):
This is First Avenue and 6th Street, which is normally illuminated by thousands of Christmas lights in the Indian restaurants (as seen at the end of the video above):
Gem Spa, which was actually open for business:
I thought St Mark's between 2nd and 3rd Avenues was the darkest block. I couldn't see a damn thing along here and it was frightening to walk down this street.
A truly spooky Halloween night on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street:
All these photos were taken around 6pm, not long after sundown.
You can see more photos of the hurricane and aftermath here.
So, now we prepare for a nor'easter due to hit in two days. People are still without electricity, heat and hot water. It's encouraging to see New Yorkers pulling together and helping each other out, but the loss and devastation is still so heart-breaking.
Everyone out there, stay strong, warm, positive...and we will persevere.
