Irene - Plenty of Cheers, and Then Some Jeers

It could have been much worse. The storm being described as the storm of the century was certainly scary, destructive and disruptive, but fortunately we avoided what could possibly have been catastrophic casualties. There were many people and organizations that deserve our thanks and our cheers, but as in any situation, there are also a number that are deserving of some degree of negative mention.

1. Congratulations to the meterologists, and advance leadership (especially vocally) of some of our politicos. For once, the meterologists had the timing of this storm down pat, and fortunately, in most areas, we avoided the worst case scenarios. Kudos also to the governmental organizations for their attempts to warn citizens, and get as many as possible out of the line of fire.

2. However, like in most things, well meaning and well planned are not always the same. In some of my businesses, I am somewhat infamous for my insistency on back up plans, and then contingency plans on those. For example, it's great to set up shelters, such as the one at Schreiber High School, but then to not consider the needed air circulation for that size crowd, or to have a backup emergency generator in place in case the school lost power (as it did) is less than stellar planning. Some may call that hindsight, but I call it needed planning.

3. For days, we were being warned about the anticipated surge and, with its history, the then flooding of Shore Road (which, of course happened). While kudos should be given to the blocking off the thorough fare when it flooded, why, with all the repeated phone calls being made to many homes, did no one secure volunteers to do some sort of sand bagging to minimize the flooding? Again, is that hindsight or true planning? And, think about the reasoning, since Shore Road has flooded before, when the road was reconstructed, it wasn't either elevated somewhat, or some sort of permanent (but attractive) sea wall put in along the curb or beach end? Some will say costs, but there are grants, etc. that are available for this type of safety situation. How about a little foresight and strategic planning? When Shore Road flooded, one of the biggest flooded areas was in the vicinity of Mill Pond. One might also question why, when Mill Pond was renovated and reconstructed these past couple of years (at a huge expense) was the "gate" that restricted the flow and exchange between the Harbor and Mill Pond never replaced and repaired? Hindsight or proper planning? While the Port Police did monitor and restrict access to the area after the flooding at the junction of the Pond and Shore Road, when that area receded, why did they not relocate to the area around Central Ave and Baxter Pond, which still was flooded for some time therafter? While it was great that they tried to use police tape to cordon off Shore Road access, with the winds that tape tore, and was flying around the middle of the Shore Road even after the area was reopened, causing a potential safety hazard and disaster. Even after my wife and I noticed and a police officer must have observed us rolling it up and securing it to one side of the road, no effort was made to help. Obviously the police were overtaxed and were prioritizing, but safety should be first priority.

4. The Port Washington peninsula is infamous for brownouts, blackouts and power disruptions, even during minor storms. While LIPA deserves kudos NOW for hiring additional tree services after the fact, one must wonder why there appeared to be little to no preventive services (i.e. trimming the tops of trees and large branches that obviously were dangling over lines. Obviously, there would still be interuption, but would one quarter of the homes in Long Island have lost their power?

5. Obviously, the power interuption caused and continues to create havoc, etc., to many,  including me. In fact, I could not be writing this at home, since I have been without power since Sunday at 2:30AM, and until last evening, could not even have written this at my office on Main St. The crazy grid system, where the first few houses on a dead end street have power, and the larger balance do not, is, at the very least, perplexing. The probably thousand dollars worth of food that I've already had to dispose of, and the larger amount that I'm sure will have to be, has clearly tainted my perspective. But, if a little better planning were used, these types of situations would almost always be reduced somewhat. (It may not have saved my electric or food, but at least, I'd feel there was a plan!)

6. One would hope that in these types of natural disasters, while no one can or should be blamed for their occurrence, it appeared that there was better and more thorough planning. When even this morning (Tuesday), on the corner of Irma and Main Street, which is the closest street from that direction to the L.I.R.R. station, the light is on flasher, that either a police officer or crossing guard should have been dispatched to assure safety and some degree of sanity. Kudos to most of the citizens who are being careful and considerate, but it is still a somewhat correctable safety issue. This has also been glaring at the often discussed and seeming "stepchild" corner of Shore Road and Main Street. This block, with turning from three directions, and lefts and right being made, has been without a light, as well. Fortunately, there has not been a disaster there either, but wouldn't it have made sense to have some sort of traffic control officer stationed there.

6. Tremendous kudos to the volunteer members of the Port Washington Fire Department. These heroes have been working around the clock, and doing all they can to protect the public. Thank you!

7. Kudos to the individual hard working police officers, etc. that have worked tirelessly during this period. However, I think we could all agree that more planning is needed to make things better in the future. The entire peninsula needs better planning!

8. Kudos to the hard working individual LIPA workers, who have been trying to fix this mess, after the storm. However, LIPA has, at least in terms of public perception, exhibited a rather cavalier attitude, and has been far less than forthcoming in terms of communication. How many more outages, disruptions and economic burdens on individuals and businesses need to occur before the entire Long Island power grid comes under some real scrutiny and actual long-term planning?

Obviously, we on Long Island, for the most part, have been rather fortunate. It could have been far worse! However, when are we citizens going to demand better planning?