Sunday, August 28, 2011

12:30PM Update: PICS. Winds are now dying, Sun is fighting through clouds. More people out.

Irene is quickly moving up north carrying her treachery to other parts of the Northeast and heading to Canada. However, in her wake she has a left a lot of destruction and severe flooding. All over Queens County there is downed trees, awnings, Light poles and wires. The flooding is widespread on roads and into basements and houses. Photos courtesy: Richard S. David. 

<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; URL=/?ref=home&amp;_fb_noscript=1" /> <meta http-equiv="X-Frame-Options" content="deny" />

Find Friends

Friend Requests

Notifications

  • Lakshmee Singh likes your photo.
  • Susan S. Turkenkopf and Susan Turkenkopf commented on your post.
  • Roland C. Chowfatt posted in LFCNY - Official Liverpool FC Supporters of New York.
  • Honny Khatwani likes your Wall post.
  • Holly Moser Ross accepted your friend request.

11:00AM Update: Widespread Flooding, Very Windy, Violent Storm, Darker Clouds are giving way to brighter clouds

Over NYC Irene is now downgraded to a Violent Tropical Storm. As it hit landfall in the tri-state area (NY, NJ & CT) Irene weakened but it is still raining incessantly, still very windy and dangerous. Severe flooding is widespread, many major roads are closed including portions the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn and The FDR in Manhattan. 
Img346

8:30 update:PIC: the eye of Irene arrives over NYC.

Img336

Still heavy rains but the winds have not picked up beyond the current 40-55 MPH Sustained winds, however, there is wind gusts up to 75 MPH which carry debris. Officials say "stay off the streets" you can be injured by flying debris and shrapnel. Many reports of downed trees across Queens. A few people are out walking and driving. Citgo gas stations is open in Richmond Hill.

6am Update: PIC Queens/Richmond Hill: Sustained winds & heavy rain incessantly for two hours. Tornado warnings for Queens and Brooklyn

The TORNADO warnings extend across Long Island, NY, including, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County and Suffolk County. 
around 4AM Irene picked up her treachery bringing Heavy rain and sustained winds up to 55mph, bending trees in this Richmond Hill neighborhood. Suspended road signals swaying dangerously but are still switching. No descernable damage at this time. As folks rise to meet the worst of hurricane Irene, more reports will come in. stay tuned here: Darrel3000.blogspot.com and @darrel3000 on twitter. 

Img329

4:00am Sunday #Irene picks up momentum near JFK Airport in Queens New York.

4am Update.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

IT'S OFFICIAL: NYC GOES TO SLEEP at Noon Saturday, see more Darrel3000.blogger.com

By Darrel Sukhdeo
For the first time in history all NYC public transportation, all Airports, Bridges and tunnels will stop running at Noon on Saturday Aug 27, 2011, including Amtrak, NJ Transit, Path Trains, JFK, La Guardia & Newark airports, Metro North Railroad, Long Island Railroad, all New York City, and New Jersey Bridges and Tunnels. Hurricane Irene is threatening the worst destruction ever seen in New York City. Officials are warning the worst and hoping for the best. City officials said it takes 8 hours to shut down the entire system as explanation for the early cut-off at noon on Saturday. Current forecasts expect Hurricane Irene to reach NYC by 8pm Saturday. According to ABCnews, there are 5,912 Skyscrapers in NYC, most of which have never faced a category 1 Hurricane. Lower Manhattan and some Subway tunnels are expected to flood.   

The City that never sleeps will finally get a rest.  

For the first time in history, NYC streets, subways, railways, restaurants, tourist attractions, entertainment, Broadway Theatres and Times Square will be empty. All in an attempt to keep everyone safe from the treachery of Hurricane Irene. We are expected to get at least 12 inches of rain that we cannot accommodate, along with category 1 hurricane winds (minimum 74 mph), 6-12 feet ocean swells and waves, downed trees, airborne debris and shrapnel. Regardless of what the reality turns out to be, we will have significant flooding, flood zones will flood, rivers will bank and we can expect many areas that rarely flood to be flooded. Some forecasts are predicting many low-lying areas, that have never been flooded, to swell with water. The try-state area (NY, NJ & CT) have received about 10" of rain this August (2011); we normally get 4" in August, so the earth is saturated, the rivers are full and the ground around trees are wet and pliable. Introduce hurricane force wind speeds (above 73 miles per hour) and only disaster will ensue. 

A Region holds it's breath.

Everyone has been warned to stay off the streets, not just in NYC, but all across the try state area. Barrier Islands and shore lines have been evacuated, along with hospitals and senior centers in those areas. Thousands of sheets of plywood have found their way over windows and doors. Highways across the region were closed by Saturday morning, some open only one way, letting folks get out of evacuation zones, with no option to return. Every authority, Governors, mayors, county chiefs, legislators, news anchors and reporters, OEM commissioners (Office of Emergency Management), borough presidents and the red cross have warned the worst, have been working to be prepared for at least a week and have battened down everything at risk. Subway and bus yards in high risk zones have been cleared. Commercial Aircraft are being secured in hangers or flown out of the area, while private planes are being covered & tethered to ground with steel cables.  

The aftermath 

There is a lot of data available from previous hurricanes to assist emergency planning on every level. However, NYC has never faced such a direct hit. Many outcomes can only be guessed, certainly, many formulas and models are being examined to determine what might happen given NYC's unique skyline. Emergency personal will be on alert all across NYC to monitor what happens so that the OEM can respond accordingly by Sunday afternoon when the worst is expected to be over. NYC has the largest and best equipped municipal workforce in the world, including police, fire, EMS, sanitation, transportation, information services, engineers and hospitals, all of which are in a state of preparedness for the worst. We expect that by Monday morning the city will be wide awake and ready to remain awake hour after hour, day after day, year after year, unceasingly.    

Friday, August 26, 2011

RED CROSS: Have a "GO BAG"

Get a Emergency Supplies “GO KIT”

Being prepared with the right emergency supplies can reduce the risk of harm when disaster strikes. Pack a “Go Bag” When disasters (fire, flood, hurricane) require a quick evacuation, a “Go Bag”—backpack with emergency supplies/important documents for each household member—is essential.

What’s in a “Go Bag?”
Water—small bottles
Food—nonperishable snacks
Battery-powered radio/flashlight (with extra batteries) or crank radio/flashlight*
First Aid Kit—bandages, scissors
Copies of important documents in a waterproof container (ID, proof of residence, insurance info, emergency contact card)
Prescription info—name, dose, doctor’s name and number
A whistle to signal for help
Silver foil blanket—also called a mylar blanket
Keys—a second set of car and house keys
Cash—small bills
Toiletries—hygiene items, toilet paper
Personalize your “Go Bag” for your special needs—baby supplies, contact lenses, pet supplies, etc.

More here: NY RED CROSS

NEW YORK CITY SLEEPS FOR 1ST TIME IN HISTORY

By Darrel Sukhdeo

You've heard it before, "New York City, the city that never sleeps", well that is about to change. NYC will be shut down come midday tomorrow, Saturday Aug 28, 2011. All transportation will be will be shut down, as a precaution, so that after the storm we can be up and running again. This affects ALL trains and buses, including Access-a-ride, Subways, NYC buses, Path trains, Long Island railroad and Metro North railroad. Airports, Bridges and Tuunels will also be closed. ALL BUSES ARE FREE THIS WEEKEND, SUBWAYS IN " ZONE A" ARE ALSO FREE. you will also be able to access FREE WIFI throughout New York City, unless there is damage to cell towers in your area.

A State-of-Emergency (SoE) has been declared in New York City, Nassau County and Suffolk County, New York and New Jersey. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in all coastal and low-lying areas declared "Zone A". Shelters are already open, with many more to be opened by 5pm on Saturday. Although, officials are asking people to seek shelter with relatives, friends and colleagues because limited shelter capacity is available.

GET UPDATES & DISASTER GUIDES HERE:
W
WWW.nyc.gov
www.nyRedCross.org
http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/
NEW JERSEY: State.NJ.us

Follow @darrel3000 on twitter.com for ongoing updates.
I also reecommend you follow @redcossny @notifynyc @NYTlive @NYTmetro @ny1

4 Alarm Fire in Richmond Hill Stops J-Train and guts two medical offices


The FDNY responded with 200 firefighters and 40 Engine & Ladder units.
By Darrel Sukhdeo

The call came in to the FDNY at 5:36 pm on Monday (Aug 22nd) right in the middle of rush hour. Two children and 9 adults were displaced and were put up in local hotel by the Red Cross. Seven different addresses were affected, as well as, four dwellings. Construction was on-going for a month at both of the properties that were gutted. Three firefighters and one civilian was injured. Construction was on-going at the two properties that were gutted, including Roof work .

The FDNY spent several hours fighting the blaze, despite their best efforts seven properties were damaged. Two properties, 112-12 and 112-16 Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill, were completely gutted, both were medical offices. Two other properties were badly damaged by the fire and water. Three other buildings were damaged in the firefighters’ efforts to prevent the fire from spreading, including water damage, broken doors, walls, windows and roofs. During his press statements, Chief Edward Kilduff, Chief of Departments, said, "3 firemen were injured when the roof collapsed", and, "a smoke & fire explosion occurred when windows were broken open, letting air in, which caused the roof to collapse. The firefighters are being treated at Jamaica Hospital for non life-threatening injuries". One civilian was injured and was treated by EMS on the scene.

A spokesman for the American Red Cross of Greater New York, Micheal Devuopilliere, in a telephone interview, said that nine adults & two children lost their apartments in the fire. As is customary, the Red Cross provided temporary housing at local hotels. The Red Cross also provided food, aid and counselling to the displaced, as well as, the first responders on the scene including firefighters, police and EMS. He said, “disaster assessments were being conducted at two other dwellings to determine if those residents would need assistance”.

The smoke from the fire was dark and intense and rose directly onto the tracks of the J-Train, which were mere feet form the building and the fire. The MTA immediately shut down the J-Train causing delays and disrupting commutes all along the J-Line; the Q56 Bus was re-routed in both directions. Many Straphangers were forced to take alternate routes, including many readers of Caribbean New Yorker. The smoke persisted incessantly throughout the fire and up to midnight, driving neighborhood residents to seek refuge elsewhere.

Several residents said that construction was on-going at 112-12 and 112-16 Jamaica Avenue, including Roof work laying down tar, both locations were completely destroyed. Chief Kilduff confirmed that there was construction at the properties for the last month, as well as Monday when the fire took place. The fire Marshall’s investigations will determine if the work being done by the construction company, JC Home Development, contributed in any way to the fire or may have been the cause of the fire. No one at the company would comment.

Everyone was evacuated safely and were remarkably calm, including business owners who lost everything and residents. I spoke with Dr. Shazia Sami, Medical Director, E-Z Medical, who left her office at 112-16 Jamaica Avenue minutes before the fire started. She said, “my staff ran from the building and called me”, she had no idea of the extent of the damage and in fact was leaving for Pakistan the next day. One resident said that Dr. Sami was very popular in the neighborhood. Other affected businesses include a physical therapy office, Podiatrist, Law office and Mortgage broker among others.

Monday, August 22, 2011

New video: FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN in Richmond Hill, nyc.

MOV025.3gp Watch on Posterous

Happening now

9:15 PM PIC FDNY still fighting. FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN & GUTS SEVERAL BUSINESSES.

Img288

On going

New pic FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN

Img287

Happening now

Pic RED CROSS ARRIVES : FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN

Img277

New pic

FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN IN NYC: FDNY onsite Camera.

Img276

Happening now

BREAKING : FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN IN NYC

Img275

Jamaica ave @112 street happening now

FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN IN NYC. PICS

Img274

Happening now

FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN IN NYC. PICS AT POSTEROUS.COM/DARREL3000

Img272

Happening right mow

BREAKING: MORE PICS: FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN IN NYC.

Img271

Happening right now

BREAKING: FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN IN NYC. PICS at Darrel.Posterous.com

Img266

112th Street @Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill, New York, during 4 alarm first that guts two medical offices and 5 other businesses

BREAKING: FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN IN NYC. Pic

Img265

Happening now on Jamaica ave @112th street in Richmond Hill nyc

BREAKING: VIDEO: FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN IN NYC

Happening right now

BREAKING: Richmond Hill, NY FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN. @DARREL3000

Img261

Happening now Jamaica Ave @ 112th street in Richmond hill, nyc #news

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Monday, August 15, 2011

Google acquires Motorola Mobility! One insider I spoke with...

One insider i spoke with a few months ago said one reason they split the company was that mobile wasn't making money and was "a drain on resources". The same insider also said Motorola Solutions, the other half, was highly profitable.

Still, it is a good move by google. I anticipate that this will bring down costs for Android handsets while increasing competition within the smartphone arena. Despite lower smartphone prices, they are still too expensive and contribute to the current economic models for carrier services that  are designed to maintain price amplification.

Traditionally Google have priced products cheaper than most of their competition and I have no reason to believe this will be any different. I hope part of their plan includes becoming a new carrier, although this will not happen in the near future unless they plan to spend tens of billions, in the short term, on acquiring and building their own infrastructure.

Motorola Mobility has decades of mobile experience, an established, albeit, floundering distribution network and some of the best design pedigree in the space.

This is one to watch closely.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

- International Museum of Women CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS- Your Voices: On Motherhood

Submissions are accepted online through October 31, 2011 with a prize of US$1000 to the Community Choice Award Winner!

Artists, filmmakers, photographers, musicians, writers: IMOW wants to showcase your work in the new online exhibition Your Voices: On Motherhood. Contributions can come in any medium that is currently supported on IMOW.org (see below for details) and work must address a topic related to motherhood. 

IMOW wants to showcase the experiences, ideas, joys and challenges of a new global generation on this important issue. What are your fears and hopes as you think about whether to become a mother? How is being a ‘good' mother defined in your country or culture? How is mothering now different to your mother or grandmother's generation?

Potential topics may include but are not limited to:

  • Motherhood and Identity
  • Pregnancy and Childbirth - including maternal health
  • Work/life Choices
  • Motherhood Myths and Realities
  • Teenage Motherhood
  • Fathers
  • Grandmothers

 

Explore these questions and topics, or come up with your own. We encourage you to submit original art, creative writing, personal stories, journalism, music, audio, video, photography or animation for consideration, and take part in this extraordinary conversation!

http://imow.org/exhibitions/call_for_submissions?key=331

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Trinidadian Sasha Mallory makes the finals!

The FINALS is happening RIGHT NOW on So You think You Can Dance! ** LIVE  8PM -10PM EST on FOX. VOTE for TRINIDADIAN Sasha Mallory tonight Wednesday 10-12pm EST (a NEW NUMBER-1-888-836-7604 see below).

Vote for Sasha 10PM EST to midnight ONLY 2 Hours, TONIGHT! by calling 1-888-836-7604 or text the #4 to 83676

vote online for Sasha Mallory at http://www.fox.com/dance/vote/ 

Exec. Producer/Head judge Nigel Lithgow said Sasha dances from her soul! Sasha has been brilliant from the auditions onwards and is one of the two females in these finals. She is an accomplished and technically proficient dancer, but more than that she works hard constantly and like most Trinis is always smiling! She is currently one of the top four female dancers remaining (THOUSANDS auditioned to be on the show) and a favourite to win it all. Even if you're not a fan of dance, you'll enjoy seeing her dance. 

Untitled

The FINALS is happening RIGHT NOW on So You think You Can Dance! ** LIVE  8PM -10PM EST on FOX. VOTE for TRINIDADIAN Sasha Mallory tonight Wednesday 10-12pm EST (a NEW NUMBER-1-888-836-7604 see below).

Vote for Sasha 10PM EST to midnight ONLY 2 Hours, TONIGHT! by calling 1-888-836-7604 or text the #4 to 83676

vote online for Sasha Mallory at http://www.fox.com/dance/vote/ 

Exec. Producer/Head judge Nigel Lithgow said Sasha dances from her soul! Sasha has been brilliant from the auditions onwards and is one of the two females in these finals. She is an accomplished and technically proficient dancer, but more than that she works hard constantly and like most Trinis is always smiling! She is currently one of the top four female dancers remaining (THOUSANDS auditioned to be on the show) and a favourite to win it all. Even if you're not a fan of dance, you'll enjoy seeing her dance.