Glad To See Sandy Leave

Hurricane Sandy, downgraded to a tropical storm approximately mid-evening on Monday, eventually lost her steam after having her last hurrah between 6PM and about 10PM. Compared to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene, what ABG staffers witnessed and our dedicated readers reported to us, the Town faired better than expected. Of course there was damage, but the rain and flooding that so many dreaded and prepared for, skirted our area with a minimal impact.

First responders stood by at their respective quarters at the ready to assist anyone impacted by the storm or put in harms way. County Executive Astorino asked that “thrill-seekers” stay home. Last year, during the end of Irene, seven men decided to go white-water rafting on the Croton River not only putting themselves in harm’s way and caused the unnecessary death of one of them. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they put hundreds of first responders in a dangerous, life-threatening position when they needed to be rescued from the river. The rescuers did an admirable job and even received Congressional recognition for their efforts. We salute them. Yet, it was all unnecessary had these idiots made the smarter decision and stayed home. This time, all of the various communities’ leadership stated the severe risk to first responders and to evacuate or stay indoors or relocate to a friend or relatives home for the duration for the safety of everyone. Thankfully, most did.

Listening to our scanner in our offices high atop the Town near a well-known school, we were “entertained” with all the activity of various emergency services agencies. Each time we heard a fire or police unit be dispatched, we knew someone was in need of help and in some type of distress. Most emergency personnel are content to not have to respond to any calls. They love what they do, but would just as readily be happy to never respond. There seemed to be fewer aided calls with this storm and the majority of the calls that did get broadcast were for downed wires, transformer fires, trees down (mostly blocking roadways) and the like. There seemed to be more structure fire calls toward the tail end of the storm and those were up north toward the Yorktown, Bedford and Chappaqua areas.

Overall, Greenburgh faired pretty well. First responders did their usual best. We’re sure our Town employees, unfortunately working without a contract for four years, will also do their usual best. We are unaware of any deaths or serious injuries and are thankful we did not get hammered as in the past. Utility and cleanup crews will be busy for quite some time. That’s okay. Like the family guest who has outlived their welcome, we’re glad to see Sandy leave. We hope that all roadways will be reopened soon, power restored and people’s lives return to normal. We can only hope.