Plainview Already Asking: Where's LIPA?

On Wednesday morning, about 90 percent of Plainview's residents, many cold and uncomfortable, woke up in the dark, without power and modern communications, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Many are saying, through social media and instant messages from their phones, that they haven't seen any LIPA crews.

Here's a sampling:

• "Clearwater Drive - no power."
• "Robin Court- no power."
• "Wayne Drive, no power, haven't seen a single LIPA truck yet either. I'm guessing it will be a while."
• "Brook Path. No power and tree service hasn't come yet."

The list goes on. Jeremy Avenue. Lois Lane in Old Bethpage. Netto Lane and Gary Place: No power.

Plainview Patch readers were responding to a Facebook request for the status of their street and their homes.

Some of the stories are simply heart-wrenching:

"We ate all cold and in the dark," wrote Melissa Strauss Kessler, whose home near Parkway School is without power. "A large tree behind my house (fell) on wires (and)about to fall on my house. Transformer in my yard blown up; fire department was called when it was on fire."

Many, like Kessler, are finding that there is not help available. "No one will help with (the) tree until it snaps and breaks (our) roof," Kessler said.

"(There's a ) giant tree down on my house on the corner of Melony and Charlotte," wrote Plainview's Seth Salwen. "No power at all anywhere around me. Not a happy camper right now."

LIPA reports that it has multiple crews "assessing" the power outages in Plainview, where they say 7,793 of their 9,800 customers are without power. None of those "assessments" on their interactive map provide a time estimate for the restoration of power.

LIPA has said it could take them 7-10 days to fully restore power to Long Island. After 2011's Hurricane Irene, Plainview was one of the last area communities to be fully restored to power. 

Some stores are operating, some through the use of generators. There are long lines at Dunkin' Donuts around town. Both ShopRites are open. There are gas stations open, including the Hess on Old Country Road. Often, motorists will encounter lines at gas stations.

The Plainview Fire Department has gone on more 200 calls since the storm hit Monday night, and counting. Sirens could be heard all night throughout the community.

For those of you with power, please pass the word along. Plainview Patch will continue to update this story and attempt to answer your questions. Find a way to reach out to us, and we'll tell your story.

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