Powerful Nor’easter March 17, 2010

Last weekend, mostly Saturday, a powerful Nor’easter tore through the Northeastern United States.

Among those hard hit was Long Island, specifically Nassau and Western Suffolk Counties.  Wind gusts were as high as 75 miles per hour.  The highest gust in Wantagh, where I live, was 67 mph.  Many trees and power lines were downed, among other damaging effects.

Some houses escaped with little damage and retained their power.  The rest lost it for an extended period.  Our house lost power shortly before 9:00 Saturday night.

The damage was so extensive that the Long Island Power Authority, LIPA, had to bring in crews from out-of-state to assist them.  They came from places like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and even Canada.  I hear crews working outside as I type.  I can’t thank them all enough for the work they’ve done and continue to do.

I spent Sunday afternoon through Monday evening with a family friend that had power.  Power was restored to my house at 6:45 PM Monday with cable returning a few hours later; in fact, minutes after I returned home.

Other affected areas took longer to get their power back or are still waiting, as I type, to get it back.