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The street she was runs along coast, parallel to the expressway which is the main artery across the Island to the Verrazano Bridge.I believe she was heading to her sister in Brooklyn. It’s a great alternate route when there is traffc. Based on where she ended up, she almost made it to safety. Less than a mile and she would have started a steep ascent that would have kept the car dry, but it stalled before she could make it. Five minutes probably cost two precious lives.</p>
<p>What happened was truly a tragic story but I think its sad too that the mom, if true, is blaming the death of her kids because the neighbor refused to help her. I watched the CNN video posted here and it seems that the CNN version doesnt ring true. The mans patio does indeed look like it was not damaged from any flood. I see small pots still standing intact on the patio and by the front door. These items are lighter than a 2yr. old and 4 yr. old boy but there they are unbroken. </p>
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I agree with this thus for now I dont think the CNN version that the boys were washed away while standing on the neighbors enclosed patio is correct.</p>
<p>I dont understand why the mother would drive towards Brooklyn during a storm. Wasnt the Verazzano bridge closed? If the bridge wasnt closed, I think its extremely dangerous to drive on a bridge during a storm. I wonder where she lives. Can CNN look into that too? Is it a two-story house and would it have been more prudent for her and her kids to stay at the upper floors rather than drive around during the storm? Why was her route towards Brooklyn nearer the water? Wasnt it possible to drive away from the water? I think since we don’t have all the details, why put the burden of the cause of death on the neighbor?</p>
<p>“Being unable to get to unaffected areas to obtain food or to store/prepare food is the very definition of a food shortage, isn’t it?”</p>
<p>A localized, temporary food shortage. Marathoners are obviously not going to stay in SI this year. They will be staying in unaffected areas. They are not going to be taking food away from the people of SI, or gas, or whatever else is difficult to get in the areas damaged from the storm. </p>
<p>Also, the ferry is up and running and people can also drive out of SI as the bridge is open for it isn’t true that they have no transportation off the island now. They had nowhere to go for a few days and I find it hard to believe that all those people on SI who filled up their tanks before the storm- as was suggested- used it all up while the car was sitting in their driveways.</p>
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I think she miscalculated and an unlilkely combination of events caused a tragedy.
Whether the kids could have been saved is unknown, but I believe the homeowner when he says he wouldn’t open the door. And I still don’t believe he will be a pariah.</p>
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Do you understand that the railway is NOT running, the streets are impassable to buses in the affected areas and that the ferry is about 45 minutes to an hour from that side of Island on a good day? I don’t mean to be *****y, but those people (of whom I am not one, thank God)are much more cut off than you seem to understand. The Island is large and the ferry is at the farthest point from the affected areas. And the people who have lost homes have lost their cars, too, full gas tanks aside</p>
<p>"Friend of mine posted on FB today: “I grew up blocks from where the NYC marathon starts…my mother still lives there (and fortunately is safe). It is symbolic that tens of thousands will barely set foot on Staten Island and leave shortly after, with their backs literally towards almost all of Staten Island, standing blocks from where people died this week…where children died this week. Yes, running the marathon is indeed symbolic. Cancel the race”</p>
<p>Yet not a whisper of the fact that the Casinos in AC have been given the go ahead to open tomorrow. Aren’t the people of NJ suffering like those in NY? Aren’t the tourists who will be at the gaming tables taking food and water out of the hands of NJ residents who are suffering in the dark and cold and syphoning gas which could be used somewhere it is needed more? <em>sarcasm off</em></p>
<p>The marathon is probably not the greatest idea right now due to the presence of police needed which could be used somewhere else in the city, but that is really the only reason.</p>
<p>I lived in Staten Island in the late 80’s . I get the being cut off from transportation and supplies. This is a serious situation and people are desperate as they go for extended periods of time without …
For the life of me I don’t see why the marathon hasn’t been cancelled , at least out of respect for those who are still suffering there</p>
<p>I’m not really crazed about the marathon. Not even the police. My issue is the closing of the bridge and attendant traffic.We don’t need that now. However, I admit that I never give Bloomberg the benefit of any doubt. I loathe him.</p>
<p>My neighbors who were scheduled to run in the NYC Marathon have pulled out. They are really disgusted that Bloomberg is insisting it go forward. I’m in NJ, btw.</p>
<p>“but those people (of whom I am not one, thank God)are much more cut off than you seem to understand. The Island is large and the ferry is at the farthest point from the affected areas. And the people who have lost homes have lost their cars, too, full gas tanks .”</p>
<p>ZM, Yes, I understand but with all do respect, most of the people on SI are in your situation, not that of the people affected by the storm. Most SIers can get off the island, do have a way to get food even if they might not have power. And having the marathon is not going to take away from food, water and whatever else is needed get to the victims. The runners are all off the bridge fairly early in the morning. It is not like the bridge is going to be closed all day.</p>
<p>NYC Marathon cancelled.</p>
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<p>Zoosermom, you are so NOT a bad person. </p>
<p>I have a frail and traumatized 91 y.o. living with me at the moment and am sitting here seething at my older brother and sister who some years ago encouraged their then 83 year old mother to buy a free standing house on the barrier island. I thought that they were wrong and said so. And guess who now has Mom for what will surely be a long time. She needs real care and won’t even discuss bringing in a home health aide, let alone going to assisted living. My two joker sibs have continually poo-pooed a sibling dinner to discuss anything. </p>
<p>I am thinking evil thoughts about my sibs - who are also barrier island refugees - because they have forced me to have to deal with lousy decisions that they have made and that I wasn’t allowed to have a part in. I am so mad that I am having a hard time feeling sorry for them, even though they are out of their homes. Now THAT is a bad person.</p>
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<p>Could be, but much of my extended family is in NY, we are relatively new to Ohio. I grew up in NYC but moved here when S’12 was born.</p>
<p>^^Elleneast, I’d say that’s called being human.</p>
<p>'NYC Marathon cancelled."</p>
<p>Bloomberg trying to protect his “legacy.” Nothing more.</p>
<p>Jerk. Nuff said.</p>
<p>I’m editing to say GOOD it should be canceled but I’m leaving the rest of my post anyway.</p>
<p>Re: the marathon. So what are the hotel owners going to do to have sufficient rooms for the marathon folks? If there are people in those hotels who came (and are still there) because their homes have no power, will those folks be asked to vacate because the marathon folks have reservations? I guess so.</p>
<p>It’s all about the money, and to be honest it makes me sick. The mayor of NYC thinks its important to save people from supersize sodas but he can’t cancel this event or postpone it a week given the circumstances? Shame on him.</p>
<p>It’s been canceled.</p>
<p>Isn’t it just as sick then for the Casinos in AC to be given the go ahead to open tomorrow given the circumstances? There was major, major devastation in AC and thousands and thousands of people suffering there. Yet no outrage over this. Why?</p>
<p>It should have been cancelled early this week. Finally he did the right thing. It’s a shame that he waited so long, as I’m sure some people have already traveled there. It had to be done though.</p>