Holy Hurricane!

Finally Hurricane Irene has continued on her slow moving path and left minimal destruction in the New York City area. Other regions weren't as lucky, such as Atlantic Beach, NC and the New Jersey shore line.   I initially thought the area I lived in the City had a mandatory evacuation, but later discovered it was the end of my block that had to evacuate. I'm still trying to figure this out since I live on the East River, but zones were based on elevation, and I suppose I must be at a much higher elevation than my neighbors. None the less, to my mom's objections, I stayed put and decided to battle out the storm...Southern style. I loaded up on water, sweet tea, books and a yummy meal of creamy chicken, biscuits and wine...clearly, I was prepared!












My chances worked out in my favor because I woke this morning (apparently having slept through the eye of the hurricane) breathing and with electricity...I survived! People are out surveying the damage today so I  took a stroll myself to Carl Shurz Park on the Upper East Side, a favorite spot for many residents on the UES. It sits along the East River, and I was quite shocked to see the amount of damage done to the park. While only half a block from my apartment, the effects of Irene were seemingly undetected until I reached the park. Others must have had the same idea because the park was swarmed with people taking pictures of the damage-- and a few getting in their Sunday run.

Trees are down in many parts of the park and yellow caution tape is strewn throughout the park marking off areas with limbs on the verge of falling or trees already split in half. Mud, water and debris cake many of the sidewalks winding through the park, and trash is scattered everywhere. I even discovered a birthday balloon stuck in one of the tress (Happy Birthday to you!).

The most shocking discovery in the park is one of my favorite alcoves sitting below sea level. It is a secluded area normally filled with people on benches, and a central water fountain. Nearly the entire alcove is submerged by river water, making only the top of the fountain and benches visible. There was one dog having a field day playing fetch in the water, and became the one happy light of onlookers (I just hope they give him a bath in bleach and tetanus shot when they take him home).

The damage is certainly not in the streets, but along the water, in areas filled with tress. While the UES is known for its tree-lined streets and parks, so is the Financial District and its areas along the Hudson River, which are said to have been effected most on the Island. While we likely got the least of Irene, I can only imagine at this point what Lower Manhattan looks like.

Overall, I feel like officials in the city did a great job preparing people for the storm and evacuating high-risk areas. Many people are upset today with the decisions that were made, saying authorities over-reacted. But, it's always better to be safe than sorry. 

 

 I've now experienced two firsts this week-- an earthquake (18 stories high, mind you) and now a hurricane. Ok people, I'm checking out! Enough Mother Nature for now.