Community Corner
Powerless in Plainview
Many remain without power one day after storm but cleanup is underway.
Although the sun was shining brightly one day after Irene hit the region, there is still evidence of its destruction, including downed trees, obstructed roadways, and, most exasperating for many Plainview-Old Bethpage residents, the continued loss of power.
Some in the area never lost power and others have had it return over the last day, but there are many who remain without electric.
Trina Newman of Old Bethpage said that her house lost power in the early hours of Sunday morning and that LIPA has given no indication when it will be restored.
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Although her sister in Oceanside has offered the use of her house, Newman said that her family wants to stay put. She said that she dropped off her frozen goods at the home of a neighborhood friend who had not lost power and that she and her family have taken quick cold showers.
“Luckily I cooked on Saturday, anticipating that we might lose power, Newman said. “And," she added, “although it was a little warm yesterday, the temperate weather is making it bearable.”
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Neverthless Newman said that each time she has seen a block of houses get their power restored, she fervently hopes hers will be next.
A few blocks away, Sue Curran, also of Old Bethpage, is finding the lack of power to be a major inconvenience as she prepares to pack up and take her oldest child Jennifer to college at Northeastern University in Boston.
“It’s a real pain to deal with no lights, washing machine or other electric at the same time that we are trying to get her ready.”Sue Curran commented. “I thought we were getting it back last night when the houses down the block had their lights restored, but no such luck.”
With or without power, the packing continues and the Currans will leave for Boston on Wednesday morning.
LIPA has indicated that crews are out and working as quickly as possible but cannot give specific times as to when power will be restored to a particular home or block. Other work crews could be seen around Plainview, clearing away brush and removing limbs that were dangling over streets.
