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Sandy’s Presence is Heavily Noted

Max Schwartz |
October 30, 2012 | 10:25 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

 

The White House. Photo by Sean Hayford O'Leary; courtesy of Creative Commons
The White House. Photo by Sean Hayford O'Leary; courtesy of Creative Commons
What is now Tropical Storm Sandy made landfall on Monday and her presence had large impacts throughout the country.

The President, who normally travels without interruptions, even changed his schedule for the, “super storm.” Instead of spending additional time in Florida on Monday, the President decided to head back to Washington ahead of schedule, so he could monitor the storm’s developments and lead the government during this time of national crisis. On Tuesday, the President spent time on the phone with government administrators, state governors, and local mayors. He had an additional call with utility company leaders. On Wednesday, President Obama will travel to New Jersey where Governor Christie will show the President all of the destruction the storm caused. 

Vice President Biden also changed his campaign schedule on Monday, so he could fill in for the President and avoid the storm. The President and the campaign wanted to make sure local responders on the East Coast could be there for residents rather than for Presidential travel.

Governor Romney changed his schedule as well.

Members of various government agencies, including FEMA and the National Hurricane Center, briefed Obama on Monday and Tuesday. Also on Monday, Obama declared emergencies in multiple states on the East Coast, including Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Jersey, among others. This allows the federal government to step in and provide assistance and allows them to cover some of the cost.

On Tuesday the President declared disaster areas in the states of Connecticut and New Hampshire. This allows the federal government to help state and local governments in giving aid. In addition, this makes additional federal funds available and gives individuals the ability to apply for federal funds. 

The United States Department of Transportation also got involved Tuesday. Transportation Secretary LaHood authorized $13 million in quick emergency relief funds for New York and Rhode Island. New York requested $10 million and Rhode Island requested $3 million. This money will be used to repair roads and highways. In addition, Rhode Island will use some of their designated funds to repair impaired sea walls.

Multiple airports in the Northeast are closed because of the storm. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), in New Jersey, and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), in New York, are the two most significant closures. This caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled. According to the FAA, EWR is scheduled to open on October 31 at 7:00 a.m. EDT and JFK is scheduled to open on October 31 at 12:00 p.m. EDT.

Parts of New York and most of Atlantic City are under water and the transit system in New York is shut down. Residents from Delaware to Maryland are being encouraged to listen to local officials and do what they are told. More wind and rain are expected to pound the area. The New York Stock Exchange was closed on Monday and Tuesday; Hurricane Sandy caused both of the closures. This is the fist time since 1888 that the NYSE has closed two days due to weather. The bond market was also closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Many residents in the impacted area are without power. Utility crews from the mid-west are on their way to help restore power. Oil refineries throughout the effected area had to close or reduce capacity.

 

Stay tuned to Neon Tommy for the latest developments on Hurricane, now Tropical Storm Sandy.

 

 

Reach staff reporter Max Schwartz here; follow Max Schwartz on Twitter here.



 

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