Yeshiva World News

Hurricane Sandy: Mammoth Storm Plunges NYC Into Darkness

Much of New York was plunged into darkness Monday by a superstorm that overflowed the city's historic waterfront, flooded the financial district and subway tunnels and cut power to hundreds of thousands of people. The city had shut its mass transit system, schools, the stock exchange and Broadway and ordered hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to leave home to get out of the way of the superstorm Sandy as it zeroed in on the nation's largest city. Residents spent much of the day trying ...

How To Stay Connected During Hurricane Sandy

When disaster strikes, phone and Internet service often takes a hit, right when it’s needed the most. Here are some tips for communicating with emergency services and loved ones as Sandy collides with the East Coast: - Cellphones may work even if the power goes out, but you can’t count on them. The phones themselves, of course, have batteries. And the cell towers that relay your calls and other messages are often equipped with backup batteries and some have generators. Verizon says all ...

Hurricane Sandy: Large Parts Of Manhattan Plunged Into Darkness

A superstorm that sent water rushing onto city streets has left a large swath of the lower part of Manhattan without power. Consolidated Edison spokesman Chris Olert said Monday evening that the power was out for most of Manhattan south of 26th Street. On the east side, the power outage extended from 29th Street south. There were some scattered areas that still had electricity. Olert said the damage stemmed from flooding and the probable loss of a transmission feeder. The power ...

Hurricane Sandy: Dealing With Your Hurricane Sandy Insurance Claims

For some homeowners, the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy could bring a whole second round of troubles. After the storm passes, they may have to negotiate with their insurers to get the cash they need to repair wind and water damage. Homeowners’ insurance companies have gotten tougher as weather has become more cataclysmic. They’ve raised rates, carved out some coverage and tucked in new wind and hurricane exclusions and deductibles. Homeowners need to play the game right if they want to ...

ConEd Warns Lower Manhattan Customers Of Possible Power Outages

Consolidated Edison Inc, the New York City power provider, warned customers in lower Manhattan it may shut down power on Monday evening as Hurricane Sandy barrels toward the East Coast. Blackouts could affect streets as far north as 36th Street, the company said in a release, though would likely be limited to those avenues closest to the East and Hudson rivers. The central avenues are not expected to be affected. "We have contacted customers on the southern tip of Manhattan and on the ...

Hurricane Sandy: Updates For Far Rockaway / Bayswater / 5 Towns Communities [4:30PM Monday]

The following was sent to YWN by the Achiezer Organization: We have been strongly advised that noone should attempt evacuating at this point. Numerous roadways are closed, or flooded out. Do not leave your place of shelter or attempt driving on the streets at this point. The danger of falling trees & power lines have significantly increased over the last hour. We wish to reiterate that we are not meteorologists nor do we wish to cause panic. We are just passing on that the forecasters are ...

Obama On Storm: If They Say Evacuate, Do It Now

President Barack Obama delivered a sober warning to millions in the path of Hurricane Sandy on Monday, declaring that even though food, water and generators have been moved into position, "this is going to be a difficult storm" with long-term power and transportation outages possible. In a direct appeal to those who live in harm's way, the president said, "Please listen to what your state and local officials are saying. When they tell you to evacuate, you need to evacuate. Don't delay, don't ...

Hurricane Sandy: Storm Will Keep Financial Markets Closed Tuesday

Major U.S. stock and bond markets will be closed because of Hurricane Sandy on Tuesday. It will be the first time since 1888 that the New York Stock Exchange will have been closed for two consecutive days because of bad weather. The cause then was a blizzard that left drifts as high as 40 feet in the streets of New York City. Much of the East Coast was at a standstill Monday as the storm approached. Mass transit and schools were closed across the region ahead of the storm hitting land, ...

Vishnitzer Rebbe’s Trip to USA on Hold Due to Storm

A planned trip to the United States by the Vishnitzer Rebbe, Rav Yisroel Hager Shlita, has been placed on hold because of Hurricane Sandy. The rebbe was scheduled to leave for America on Sunday night the eve of 13 Cheshvan 5773. Reports from Vishnitzer officials state the rebbe was planning to travel on Sunday night for a three-week visit to give chizuk to the chassidus, and fundraise in the United States coinciding with the chasanah of the rebbe’s grandchild, a son of Rav Baruch Shimon ...

Hurricane Sandy: Mayor Bloomberg Updates New Yorkers On Storm [1:30PM EST Monday]

The following are Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s remarks as delivered today at the Office of Emergency Management in Downtown Brooklyn: “Good morning, and we’re joined here today by Senator Charles Schumer and Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and our key City commissioners. And I wanted to once again thank Linda Calise for her signing. “Let me begin today by updating everyone on the current weather conditions and what we can expect from Hurricane Sandy over the next two days. We ...

Hurricane Sandy: NY Office of Emergency Management Offers Safety Tips

When the Storm Strikes ·If you are traveling, find safe shelter immediately. ·Have a plan for those with special needs, children, the elderly and pets. ·Monitor local media reports and follow emergency instructions and orders from authorities. If you are at home or at work: ·        If you have been ordered to evacuate, do so. If not, stay put in a well-constructed building. ·        Continue to listen to local radio, television reports or NOAA Weather Radio ...

Hurricane Sandy: Obama Urges Taking Storm Seriously

President Barack Obama says he’s confident that state and federal governments have done all they can to prepare for the superstorm barreling up the East Coast. He says the slow-moving storm will affect millions of people, and he is urging Americans to heed warnings. Obama was speaking from the White House briefing room. He said the key is to make sure the public is following instructions to take precautions. A week from Election Day, he says he’s not worried about the impact of the ...

Hurricane Sandy: Phone Companies Prepare For Post-Storm Crisis, Lining Up Disaster Recovery Trailers

Phone companies on the eastern seaboard are preparing Monday for the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy by topping up fuel for backup generators and lining up disaster recovery trailers to move into flooded areas after the storm passes. At Verizon the largest landline phone company on the East Coast, spokesman John Bonomo says the storm had not yet had any major effect, and the network is performing normally. At AT&T, employees are adding portable generators to cell towers and checking on ...

Hurricane Sandy: From The Crisis Team Of Chai Lifeline

In anticipation of the impending storm, we felt it would be helpful to provide advice to parents how to prevent undue fear and panic among their children. With awareness that every child and situation is unique, please tailor and apply this advice accordingly. • CONVEY URGENCY NOT PANIC. THE CHILDREN SHOULD KNOW THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION BUT CONVEY IT IN A MANNER THAT IS PROPORTIONATE WITH THE ACTUAL THREAT. • BE SURE YOU YOURSELF ARE NOT EXPERIENCING UNDUE DREAD THAT, IN TURN, ...

Hurricane Sandy: Message From Ramapo Town Supervisor [11:45AM EST Monday]

Ramapo Police Department will respond to all emergencies. Please only use 911 for Police, Fire or medical emergencies. Please call 845-357-2400 to report non-emergencies. Orange & Rockland will not be repairing power outages until the wind speed drops below 40mph which may not be until Wednesday, October 31. Please report all electrical emergencies to 845-434-4100 or http://www.oru.com/trouble . Rockland County has opened an emergency shelter at Rockland Community College in the Field ...

Hurricane Sandy: NYC Waters Rise To Irene Levels Before Superstorm

Waves splashed over the sea walls at the southern tip of Manhattan, already at Hurricane Irene levels Monday hours before the worst of a mammoth storm was to hit the nation's largest city with a wall of water that could reach 11 feet. Gov. Andrew Cuomo closed two key tunnels to downtown Manhattan after the city shut its mass transit system, stock exchanges, schools and Broadway and ordered hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes ahead of Hurricane Sandy's storm surge. While ...

Extra Inspectors To Nuclear Plants As Storm Nears

Additional inspectors are being sent to nuclear power plants in five states as Hurricane Sandy approaches the East Coast. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says its headquarters and Northeast regional office are both closed, except for emergency personnel. The agency says safeguards at all nuclear plants can withstand hurricane-force winds and flooding. Still, plants will be shuttered if hurricane-force winds are expected in the area. In New Jersey, extra inspectors equipped with ...