FEMA Disaster Centers Shut Doors 'Due to Weather'

[Apocalypse]

FEMA Disaster Centers Shut Doors ‘Due to Weather’

TOTTENVILLE — They fly into disaster areas, but flee from raindrops.
FEMA disaster recovery centers in Hurricane Sandy-ravaged sections of the city that were supposed to provide assistance to hurricane victims went MIA Wednesday morning, posting signs saying that they were closed due to the approaching Nor'easter.


The temporary shuttering of the facilities, which help victims register for disaster relief, as well as city food distribution centers come even as many of those still reeling from the monster storm were not told that they had to leave the battered areas.


On Tuesday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that residents in the low-lying portions of Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn were advised to leave ahead of the nor'easter, which could hit the city with 60 mph gusts and several inches of rain Wednesday afternoon, but that the evacuation was not mandatory like the one issued for all of Zone A ahead of Sandy.



“We do not believe that it’s necessary to evacuate people,” said the mayor Wednesday.


The move left residents of the storm-ravaged areas fuming.


"The storm is coming. We don't know how hard it's going to hit us," said Jenny Cartagena, 46, who found the FEMA center in Coney Island closed Wednesday when she went there looking for food. "I need some help now."

Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/2012...#ixzz2BeFS7H9A

The storm only dumped about 3 inches of slush on the city.

[LukeEDay]

I am going next week to help in the relief effort. FEMA is a joke.

[Rockntractor]

But he looked so presidential?

[Starbuck]

FEMA reminds me of how the UN left their peacekeeping post in Baghdad when someone shot at them.

[RobJohnson]

But he looked so presidential?

Chris Christie always looks good!

[noonwitch]

It wasn't rain, it was 7-10 inches of snow. Do you really think road crews are able to clear that quickly, considering they are still clearing debris from the hurricane off the streets? If the roads are blocked, the FEMA people can't get there.


I know that 7-10 inches is not usually crippling to a community, but in light of the ongoing cleanup from Sandy, it is a difficult complication.

[LukeEDay]

It wasn't rain, it was 7-10 inches of snow. Do you really think road crews are able to clear that quickly, considering they are still clearing debris from the hurricane off the streets? If the roads are blocked, the FEMA people can't get there.


I know that 7-10 inches is not usually crippling to a community, but in light of the ongoing cleanup from Sandy, it is a difficult complication.

I heard it is supposed to be in the high 60's low 70's this weekend? So the snow will melt pretty quick...

[Apocalypse]

It wasn't rain, it was 7-10 inches of snow. Do you really think road crews are able to clear that quickly, considering they are still clearing debris from the hurricane off the streets? If the roads are blocked, the FEMA people can't get there.


I know that 7-10 inches is not usually crippling to a community, but in light of the ongoing cleanup from Sandy, it is a difficult complication.

And in light of below freezing temps, why were those busses that were being used as temp warming stations for those who are now homeless missing?

Obama needed some transports for his re-election?

[noonwitch]

I heard it is supposed to be in the high 60's low 70's this weekend? So the snow will melt pretty quick...

Most of it probably melted later in the day after it hit. The ground is not all that cold yet. It is supposed to be nice all over the northeast this weekend, including here. It should help with the efforts to restore power and clean up debris.


My dad lives in Florida, and they are so prepared for this kind of thing (except the snow part). He used to volunteer after storms to help people fill out their FEMA applications.

[SaintLouieWoman]

And in light of below freezing temps, why were those busses that were being used as temp warming stations for those who are now homeless missing?

Obama needed some transports for his re-election?

Compared to the Obama admin's handling of this, I think Katrina was better handled (other than by the mayor). The concept of those generators sitting idle all that time in preparation for the NYMarathon was insanity on Bloomberg's part, particularly when they continued to sit idle after the race was cancelled.

It's terrifying that the feds will be taking over our healthcare. I guess the ultimate solution of the Social Security/Medicare crisis will be that people can just die sooner. I suspect some of that surplus older population in NY and NJ will be shuttling off a bit early. That cold weather, no heat, etc, plus the flood water would be dehabilitating for young people. The old ones don't stand a chance. I used to think Sarah Palin was extreme with her talk about death panels, but now I'm listening to her with a less jaundiced eye.