New York City’s Extreme Weather: The City takes action was it overemphasized or acted upon appropriately?
Early Friday morning, I had the pleasure of chatting with a friend who really informed of what a big deal Hurricane Irene could be. Before talking with him I do not think I gave much thought to what a hurricane hitting NYC would be like or what it even meant. While I was a bit rattled by our unexpected earthquake; we survived it and we escaped with little to no damages. And so my New Yorker survivalist attitude continued. I can vaguely remember the last time a significant hurricane landed in NYC; I was either in high school or junior high I remember feeling very happy I got to relax at home and did not have to go to school. My thoughts of what a tremendous hurricane would mean in my life today is totally different. Could it resemble Hurricane Katrina? I think the realization of what happened in Louisiana, the destruction and the deaths became ever so clear that their realities could in fact become our own. It was at that moment that I began to feel a serious threat loomed.
Now as a working adult with tons of responsibility I wonder what a complete shut down of NYC would look like. How would I be able to manage with a motorized wheelchair in mounts of water? How would my friends who also use motorized wheelchairs be able to remain safe? Would my building’s elevator work? I began to think of the various movies predicting earth’s demise—specifically New York City’s demise. Ultimately a bit of fear was evoked in me not only by all the news broadcasts, or the visuals etched in my mind of Hurricane Katrina but the true reality that nothing is truly stronger than the wrath of Mother Nature.
Today I sit in front of my computer thankful that the Mayor took the actions that he did. Mayor Bloomberg’s decision to stop all MTA and Para-transit services, to stop all NYCHA building’s elevators at 5pm, to announce and publicize evacuation zones and shelter locations throughout our area. To take the initiative of closing city bridges and tunnels if wind gust reached a certain speed. While I did not notice any apparent damages in my area of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. However, there were many incidents of down trees, down power lines, flood surges and even deaths, throughout the greater city. Some New Jerseyans are still waiting for the water levels to recede so that they are able to return home. The city’s collective effort to act immediately was ultimately to keep as many human lives safe from danger as possible. In my opinion I feel the right actions were taken.
