Pheeeww!!! It's been an eventful week. Hurricane Sandy paid us a visit and affected the lives of millions in almost 24 states. On the evening of October 29th, New York city was hit by the cyclone which flooded numerous streets, tunnels and subway lines. Lower Manhattan, Staten Island, Coney Island, the Rockaways, New Jersey were some areas severely hit by the storm. Millions were without power, heat and running water for several days.
While we had prepared for the worst to come in terms of food supplies, water etc, no one knew what to expect. It was Siddharth's and my first time dealing with a hurricane. The winds started to pick up Sunday evening. By Monday morning, there was constant rain and the winds were all crazy. Trees danced like they were in a jam session. The winds howled like a beast in pain. It was loud and eerie. Things began to fly around and the rain poured like cats and dogs. By evening we got a call from our electricity company saying that they will shut our power. We ran to fill our tubs, pots and pans with water, made sure we had our flash light ready and candles all stocked. Charged all possible gadgets and informed our families.
We awaited with bated breath for the darkness to engulf us. The light flickered a bit, then our cable died, followed by the internet. We assumed the next would be our power. An hour, two hours and nothing happened. Soon we dozed off.
Tuesday morning, I woke up and stared out of the window, it was bright and sunny. Was the worst over? Had the storm passed?? I looked outside and Manhattan was still standing tall. Unaware of the damage the storm had caused, I switched on the TV and was in for a rude shock - everywhere there was DEVASTATION!!! Several parts of NYC. NJ had been hit badly.
I decided to go out in my neighborhood to assess the situation and took my camera with me. I will forever be grateful for what I saw for the next 4 hours. While the internet and media was pouring with images of devastation, all I came across that day were beautiful pictures of my neighborhood. I went looking for trouble and devastation and all i could see was beauty everywhere. People and children were out on the streets and looked relieved and cheerful. And for that I am forever grateful!! Grateful for keeping me, my family and my neighborhood safe.
Here are the images I captured in my neighborhood (Park slope, Brooklyn) on the day after the hurricane. We are so lucky and grateful to have gotten through the hurricane unscathed.
Here and here are some incredible pictures of hurricane Sandy's destruction.
My heart goes out to the millions of people whose lives have changed because of this storm. Whose devastation knows no bound. All the best to you and your families as you come together to help and support each other.
How can you help??
- To volunteer immediately, email - nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov with your name, email address and borough.
- The Red Cross is looking for shelter volunteers - visit nyredcross.org for sign-up information
- For other opportunities go to newyorkcares.org
- To donate money, visit salvationarmyusa.org
- The Humane Society is accepting donations (humanesociety.org)
Here are some other ways to help
My prayer for all:
While we had prepared for the worst to come in terms of food supplies, water etc, no one knew what to expect. It was Siddharth's and my first time dealing with a hurricane. The winds started to pick up Sunday evening. By Monday morning, there was constant rain and the winds were all crazy. Trees danced like they were in a jam session. The winds howled like a beast in pain. It was loud and eerie. Things began to fly around and the rain poured like cats and dogs. By evening we got a call from our electricity company saying that they will shut our power. We ran to fill our tubs, pots and pans with water, made sure we had our flash light ready and candles all stocked. Charged all possible gadgets and informed our families.
We awaited with bated breath for the darkness to engulf us. The light flickered a bit, then our cable died, followed by the internet. We assumed the next would be our power. An hour, two hours and nothing happened. Soon we dozed off.
Tuesday morning, I woke up and stared out of the window, it was bright and sunny. Was the worst over? Had the storm passed?? I looked outside and Manhattan was still standing tall. Unaware of the damage the storm had caused, I switched on the TV and was in for a rude shock - everywhere there was DEVASTATION!!! Several parts of NYC. NJ had been hit badly.
I decided to go out in my neighborhood to assess the situation and took my camera with me. I will forever be grateful for what I saw for the next 4 hours. While the internet and media was pouring with images of devastation, all I came across that day were beautiful pictures of my neighborhood. I went looking for trouble and devastation and all i could see was beauty everywhere. People and children were out on the streets and looked relieved and cheerful. And for that I am forever grateful!! Grateful for keeping me, my family and my neighborhood safe.
Here are the images I captured in my neighborhood (Park slope, Brooklyn) on the day after the hurricane. We are so lucky and grateful to have gotten through the hurricane unscathed.
Here and here are some incredible pictures of hurricane Sandy's destruction.
My heart goes out to the millions of people whose lives have changed because of this storm. Whose devastation knows no bound. All the best to you and your families as you come together to help and support each other.
How can you help??
- To volunteer immediately, email - nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov with your name, email address and borough.
- The Red Cross is looking for shelter volunteers - visit nyredcross.org for sign-up information
- For other opportunities go to newyorkcares.org
- To donate money, visit salvationarmyusa.org
- The Humane Society is accepting donations (humanesociety.org)
Here are some other ways to help
My prayer for all:
May all be happy, may all be happy, may all be happy
May you be happy, may you be happy, may you be happy
Whether visible or invisible, may all beings be happy
Of earth, of water, or of sky, may all be happy
Of all the direction may all be happy
May all be free from fear, animosity and insecurity
May all be happy, may all be happy, may all be happy
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