Students & faculty: RECOVER WRITING formed this week to offer free help with writing assignments to students stressed by Sandy. College and university Writing Centers across the U.S. have opened their virtual doors, and some local institutions– FIT, for example, and LIU–have opened their physical doors. 30- to 60-minute help sessions are available; college and high school students can check the listings, see what looks good, and arrange their own help sessions.
Find us at RECOVER WRITING on Facebook– no sign in required. Students will get one-on-one feedback and help with any writing assignment, at any stage of the assignment.
This is a free service.
Faculty: we’re here for you as well, offering an additional resource with which to support your students.

Posted to our Missing Pets Alliance Wall. Great article for information and resources.....MPA
www.facebook.com/missingpetsalliance.net

Crowd sourcing actual flood levels from Hurricane Sandy and comparing them to predicted flooding and FEMA evacuation zones will provide valuable data to support preparation for future storms. Just add a placemark for your home or another area where you witnessed peak flood on 10/29/12. Put the number of feet for high water at that place for the title of the placemark.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211280517743305431087.0004cddb111a2acf373cc&msa=0

Please share this with anybody who still does not have heat or electricity. I haven't tried it myself but with the temperatures dipping into the 30's overnight I would try anything

http://www.peterpop.com/solar-homemade.html

I came home tonight to my upper east side apartment building, which was unaffected by the storm. A message was posted stating that an unknown, unidentified ConEd official had advised that a power shutoff was being planned because of unspecified water damage to ConEd equipment. The message added that no specifics were provided on where in the area the power would be shut off, or for how long. I wonder whether this "Plan" was put in place in order to teach the State governor a lesson for having dared to state that he would hold the utilities to account, and that they were not decreed by the Bible...

A friend and I both have cousins in the Merrick/Bellmore area of Long Island and have been unable to reach them since Sandy hit. Is there any organization that helps people contact loved ones or provides information about their well-being? We are very worried.

I'm sad that, to the best of my knowledge, none of the major news programs, including PBS Newshour, has commented on the destruction in CT. Yes, the areas worst involved here are more limited in "size," but those areas here damaged by Sandy have been just as devastated as those in NY and NJ.

I live in MA and have so many clothes, all sizes, from size 6 on up. I can get more people in my area to donate clothing and anything else needed. Food would be hard to send. Do you have trucks picking up such items or do we have to drive to those communities to drop off the clothing. We also have lots of furniture that I know can be donated when the time comes. Please contact me. (508) 254-5954 My heart goes out to everyone affected by this horrible storm. Brenda Also toys for the holidays can also be donated....

What post offices are open in New York City?

(And why in the world is that information not readily available on usps.com?)

"Con Edison is also working to restore steam power to the roughly 550 customers without heat in lower Manhattan."
This is absolutely incorrect. THe apartment complex where I live has 1651 units and none of us have heat.
This is under-reported. SOmething needs to be done to correct this lack of heat.

My co workers and I would like to donate clothing, canned goods. I have looked all over the internet to find a drop off location in Brooklyn, zip codes 11210,11230. Do you know any locations thet we can do this ????

A friend in Kansas reported a relative in Plainview has no power out of gas, has a medical condition, and was told Red Cross can't help b/c they don't have enough people since they are more allocated to the city. Could you add info on Long Island towns please? Very little news seems to be getting through - 80% of the reporting/press conferences/etc. focuses in NYC... Long Island desperately needs good info about where to get help/food/shelter if needed, how soon power & gas will be restored, etc. And we need to hear about those communities too and how they are organizing to help those in need!

I keep hearing rumors of "vouchers" for people who had to throw away rotting food due to the power outage. Is this true? If true, what is the procedure?

I am a Red Hook resident and we are hearing mixed messages about the safety of drinking our tap water. Any information? Thank you!

@Sainted_Mother - thanks so much for your updates. I know that there are _far_ bigger concerns, but I was wondering why the 3 train is not running and if it will be coming back. I heard someone on WNYC mention that "good" changes came to transit after 9/11, like getting rid of the 9 train, and I'm scared the same might happen to the 3 train. Do you know if they are planning to bring it back? Thanks again for taking the time to update us here.

Here are photos of MTA / NYC Transit issues ...
(including pumping out the Battery Tunnel near my house)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtaphotos/sets/72157631895130389/

As for 1-2-3, not sure about 1 ... South Ferry Station was _severely_ flooded. Cranberry St tube was worst flooding of all the tunnels. If I can find out more, before news media / Bloomberg / Lhota announce anything, I will post it ... but I know the pumps are pumping, the inspectors are inspecting / testing, and the "Maintenance of Way" group is _supremely_ busy, to get service back (despite 2 Broadway being knocked off the grid).

John Hockenberry -- we drove by Fairway / Van Brunt tonight after church, and ... it's really dark there, except for the one NYPD floodlight. Fairway is using the parking lot as a staging area ... it was full, so far as I could see. There was a gallery with power (they seemed to be having an opening), and lots of dinky-looking furniture on the street (after Irene, everyone was just pumping out their basements ...). My corner of Red Hook never lost power ... I think because we're across from the new Water Tunnel dig ... that all looked calm.

Pumping of the Battery Tunnel proceeds, they were spraying water on to the street, it was going into the storm drain. Not sure what that means.

Thas' all I know.

Why haven't we heard anything about 1, 2 & 3 train service to lower Manhattan and Tribeca? Will they be running from 42nd to Chambers by Monday?

Start odd and even day gas purchases on Staten Island immediately.

Can anyone report what the effect is and will be on wildlife from sewage & toxins in the water?

The New York times yesterday showed that Westchester county by % is more severely hit by long standing power outages than the boroughs. Don't hear about this much.

Question - when will the Lower East Side get heat and hot water back - we are beyond FREEZING - we are suffering?

go to the Churches for money - not just shelter and food - REAL MONEY - that they collected TAX FREE = from all the perisheners over the years - they have a ton - go get it = to clean up the whole area ----- they have it ----

Question to wnyc:
During this storm coverage I've listened to wnyc more than ever in the past few months. I don't own a tv and for a brief time in the storm, had no wifi. so wnyc was my eyes and ears to the outside world.
Still, in the days since, you've been holding Live call-ins hosted by numerous people who don't have a "show" so listeners couldn't leave comments on what they were hearing on the radio...at least if the person has a show, they have a show page. but when it's Live radio, where can listeners go to add something?
Is it fb? Is it twitter under a #?

Has there been any USPS advisories on mail deliveries to affected areas?

I'm wondering what emissions were released whe n the con Ed substation exploded.

Why are so few buses organized for commute between Brooklyn and Queens given the loss of the G, E, M, and #7 trains. Many people work in LIC and nearby. Along with others I stood for an hour this evening as the temperature dropped and watched several B62 buses go by (they were either full or had signs saying out of service). The focus on Manhattan has left thousands (not hundreds) of MTA riders stranded. I got home because of a Good Samaritan. The MTA needs to either increase the number of B62 busses or create a shuttle to replace the G lines.

I live in Queens, have power and 2 empty bedrooms w/ separate bathroom and entrance since my adults daughters moved out. Who would I contact? Persons's must be able to climb stairs (no kitchen).

Nuala
646-210-4495

I feel for the teacher in STaten Island - I am her age and also a teacher. Why doesn't her own son take her in? Family is always better than what social services can provide- they are meant for the needy, who don't have family members who can provide, who attended such esteemed colleges.

Where do you call to report possible infrastructure damage? The 18th st station on the F line sways when trains come in, and I assume when they come out. You can feel it, very disconcerting. Tried to get through to 311 as a possible place, but was on hold for a long time.

Now that the marathon has been cancelled, it would be great if someone would collect all of the emergency mylar blankets from the NYC Marathon to distribute to folks without power. They really work, and it's getting cold out there.

Does anyone know how to make this happen?

I'm seeing on facebook that there is a need for donations and help in shelters in Brooklyn but at the same time the Red Cross website says donations aren't needed anywhere and that they need money. It seems that there is a disconnect in communication. Can NPR help NYers by telling them where they can go to donate and what they should donate? Maybe there could be updates as the situation changes. Apparently at these shelters (the Red Hook shelter and the Armory in Park Slope, Brooklyn) they have lists on the front door that says what they need at any given moment. You could maybe get callers to call in with that list periodically so you can get the word out. I'm sure there are other shelters that are having the same issues. It is very good to hear about it through social media, however people who aren't on social media wouldn't hear, and it would be great to announce it on NY public radio which people can listen to with transistor radios without electricity (and in their cars).

Sussex County, where we have a house and where my partner has been since Sunday evening, has not been covered in any of the news reports I've heard on NYC -- or elsewhere. The County had a 90% electrical outage beginning Monday afternoon. My partner learned today that we can expect to be without electricity for up to two weeks. Many roads have been blocked by fallen lines and trees, not to mention burnt out transformers. The weather is approaching freezing so we're worried about burst pipes, too. I've not heard Scott Garrett or any other official about this disaster.

I agree with Heather from Manhattan. Lower downtown Manhattan has no power, no land line phone and no water if you're in a building over 8 stories high. There's no mention of the fact that verizon has not been able to restore service or that it was even lost. Verizon has its main switching station near the WTC site which was flooded. So much for their promise that they would have a better back up system

What a contrast in the Village between the neighborliness of small grocers and the shuttered face of indifference of supermarkets.

Tri-Rite on 6th Ave near W4th and Bleecker Farms at the corner of Morton St have stayed open 24 hrs. Agata and Valentina on University Place let people in to buy food in the dark across from gated Gristedes.

Gourment Garage was well-staffed, but only to dump food into a garbage truck.

H&H was open next to the Food Emporium which wouldn't sell anything but was well-staffed with employees rolling carts to a garbage truck. There I watched with a small crowd as shopping carts of processed cheese were dumped; one wit remarked, Hey, the Board of Ed. says that has a 10 year shelf life.

Two managers of Gristedes on W4th St supervised a number of employees loading food on ice packs into vans to bring to other stores, but refused to sell gallon jugs of water to pour into the toilet tanks of the apartments above. This seems especially deplorable as Gristedes' public spirited owner Mr. Catsimitedes announced his intention to Brian Lehrer to run for mayor.

Will the rockaways be declared uninhabitable?????

Rockaway has been ignored despite the fact that is in DESPERATE NEED of assistance. However, Far Rockaway has not been mentioned or seen at all. Many of us need information about assistance, power, water, gas, and any help that can be given to those of us who live practically across from the beach and are in the lower beaches, such as Beach 13th and so on, we were under three feet of water in this area and there is debris everywhere. We have no communication, no help, and now there's the fear of break-ins and assaults when the dark night falls. There is no information whatsoever, anywhere, about the status in or around the lower beaches. Can we get a roundabout date as to when the power will be restored, how can people get help, etc.

When will mail delivery resume in lower Manhattan? Specifically 10013, Canal Street Station, 10013.

I live on the lower east side of manhattan, or, post hurricane, what should be known as "the other manhattan". We have no power, no cell phone service and a major shortage of services and help. What I'd like to know is why the mta hasn't made clear that there is NO bus service (meaning no transit system at all) AT ALL running past 23rd in manhattan after dark. Apparently it's not safe for a gigantic, very well lit bus to drive in the powerless zone, yet it's perfectly safe to kick a bunch of people off the bus to walk over a mile home in the dark (to their dark powerless homes) where there seem to be no police.

Why doesn't the mta make their policy clear on their website? That there is NO service for downtown manhattan after dark.

I'm lucky, in that I'm relatively young and able bodied, but what about the elderly and less able bodied who live downtown and make the mistake of trying to get home after dark? Many of the people I met on the bus had gone uptown so that they could buy much needed supplies like food and water. They probably would have gone so far from home if they knew that they'd have to walk so far to get home.

What about the B/Q trains? If the F train can get back to normal so quickly, why would the B/Q lines so slow in getting back on track?

Did something more awful happen to the B/Q tracks?

Con Ed has posted a map on their website showing areas currently with and without power. It is completely inaccurate.

I have an important family function to attend in DC tomorrow night, and I'm hoping to leave NYC today and arrive in DC tonight. What's the best way to get out of the city right now? I live in Fort Greene, Brooklyn and have access to a car, but I'm unsure about buying gas on the drive down, and unsure about road closures and traffic. I could go via Amtrak or bus, but getting to Penn Station or Port Authority from Brooklyn could take two hours, and with luggage that's hard. Any ideas? Thank you!!

I know this has been addressed, but the answer doesn't make sense. WHY IS THE MARATHON STILL GOING ON? This is disgraceful! There is no reason for this! I would like to see someone address this! This is a disaster zone! And why is the Empire State Building and Times Square all lit up! It's hard to live on the same street and go home to darkness and see the amount of energy being spent to light up these things, when we are all in the dark and cold without water.

I'm looking for my sister Annie Aguilar, husband Jose M Aguilar.

Question, re NJTransit, which has certain lines up as of today, as I understand. The web site (www.njtransit.com) carries the following information for Northeast Corridor line, for example: "Friday, November 2, NEC service will be restored between Trenton Transit Center and New York Penn Station, operating on a special schedule. NEC service is not affected by power failure at the Rail Operations Center." My question is whether it's safe to assume that trains are making local stops between these destinations? I can't find this more specific information at the site.

I heard a rumor that health care workers are getting preference somehow on gaslines? Is this true - could you verify?

I heard about an oil leak in the Arthur Kill late on Wednesday night from a Woodbridge oil refinery and have heard little coverage of it since. NBC reported on story on it and it's written as if the story is closed and the problem is fixed. Is this true? Link to the story is attached. http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Arthur-Kill-Oil-Spill-Diesel-Fuel-Motiva-Staten-Island-Woodbridge-NJ-176676451.html

Can you put up a list of polling places post Sandy = not just for NYC but the suburbs as well? Thanks.

I live in lower Manhattan, have power back but no heat yet. Even if I want to go uptown, I would need to get back on a bus prior to dusk. SO, one is stuck in one's neighborhood even if one wants to get away to buy food or just for a change of pace etc. I understand the safety issues related to the buses etc. It is impossible to get a cab, so any suggestions other than walking with all the groceries one has purchased?????? I really feel stuck, as I am sure many do.

This is not important in the grand scheme of things, but I'm curious: why have only half of the lights on the GWB been lit since Sandy? Solidarity? Conservation? Just broken?

I'm in Jersey and where I am in Randolph there is absolutely no gas to be had. However if you go south on the turnpike there is gas. I suspect that it is a matter of who is distributing the gas and the refineries that it comes from. I have wrote an email to the governor to find a logistics management person to figure this out as i suspect its a matter of which refinery was closed down in preparation and anticipation of the storm that has not been restarted or up in full operation and delivery. (However i had to fit my email into a template that had nothing to do with the storm and the phone line was busy). Because of some stations are clearly being supplied and other pockets of areas are not being supplied this would make sense. Someone just is to figure out how to redistribute where the gas is going. Obviously if some stations have no power they cannot pump gas. However for those stations who do have power if the distributors could get gas to them in this type of emergency situation you could clear much of this problem. People do need gas for their generators and cars to get to work and for food. It's getting very difficult out here to be self-sufficient without the gas.

When is gas going to be available? Or where is there a place to get gas for sure even if the line is a mile long?

On the BL Show Thursday, someone asked whether delay in providing electricity in lower Manhattan was because of conditions there (flooding, etc.), even though in some areas, all was ready. Generally this would not be the case. The arrangement of fuses and breakers throughout a power system tries to cut off the farthest away from the generators failed point to save the rest. The problem for lower Manhattan is the drowned transformers at 14th St., which have to be replaced -- not a simple task to obtain new ones, get old ones out, install new and related hardware. The real question is why ConEd didn't have a higher wall protecting them from the surge.

Pls fix your link to the ConEd ice distro list. The info was for Wedn. only, I saw it today and went because it said 'today at 4pm' but it meant the other day. They have a new pg set up everyday and ppl will see the wrong info. I went and wasted time and gas because they were over by 4.

The very few gas stations that have any gas left will run dry for sure tonight! What is being done to bring more gasoline to NYC, and when on Earth will it get here?

We have had no Verizon land-line service in our home since Tuesday. The same is true for all my doctors and many of my friends. Verizon is unreachable and there has been no mention of this problem for the past two days on WNYC. Can someone find out from Verizon what the prediction is for restored service? Many thanks for everything!!

While we are interested in what is happening in the areas in and around New York City including New Jersey we would like to hear about the forgotten borough of Staten Island. Many people are there with no power and in desperate need of services and from what we understand the Red Cross and FEMA have not been there to assist with any help. Could we focus on this borough to see the devistation and needs of the poeple and not just focus on Wall Street and the Jersey Shore????

Does the HOV restriction apply to the Smart Fortwo (a two seater)?

Will there be any extensions of time for unlimited monthly metrocards?

Postpone the marathon?
Top of Verrazano Bridge closed for marathon prep. Maybe it should be postponed being that NJ has no fresh water & runners will be throwing paper cups & bottles of unfinished water onto the streets Sun. There still pulling bodies from Staten Island...Are our priorities a little screwy in NYC?

What steps are official taking to ensure that looting doesn't happen? Is there some process in place for families leaving the coast and their houses behind for safety in other regions, to make sure that what is left of their home is not looted? I have several friends in the Long Branch and Belmar areas asking this question. They are hesitant to leave if their house is not safe. They are also worried about armed break-ins in their area. Are officials taking steps to get police or national guard in to maintain the peace?

Any word on La Guardia and getting there? I imagine all the cancellations would delay my flight on Friday but getting no word from Delta...

Is the AirTrain working to JFK from Jamaica? The website only reports through Oct 26.

Hearing about looting in Coney Island. Haven't heard about updates on law enforcement. For neighborhoods in a real mess, will return be safe even after power comes back?

How can we volunteer at FEMA supply drop off sites to help get supplies to home bound people in apartments on high floors with out power, water, food etc?

What is the state of the L train tunnel as compared to the train tunnels closer to wall street which received overwhelming water damage. I heard from a DOT worker the L did not suffer water damage and flooding like those further downtown tunnels, and it was just waiting for the electricity to return to manhattan. Is this accurate.

I am from North Brunswick, NJ. Does any body has knowledge when PSE&G is going to restore power in this area.

I just read an article saying that one of the largest distribution centers of gasoline ( metro fuels in greenpoint) had no power. I called them and they said they have power due to their back-up generators but no gasoline due to damaged ports. ???? any more info?

Im in a Bronx area pretty much unaffected besides MTA disruptions. Im wondering if hurricane season is over. Is there anymore severe weather coming?

RE: the marathon- i heard bill diblasio on the BL show today justify having the marathon because of the economic input it brings; he then cited stores in manhattan beach,sheepshead bay that are shut w/ no business. does he know the marathon doesn't go anywhere near those neighborhoods? want to know who profits from the marathon? the hotels and businesses in midtwon that HAVE power and have been making a killing already during this crisis. the marathon does nothing to help the businesses that need help in nyc and bloomberg thinks it's ok to clog up a main artery like 4th ave in bklyn, denying access to emergency vehicles, utility vehicles? ridiculous

I can answer one commenter's question -- BMCC does not have school on Friday.

I would like to know why the 7 train is not running within Queens as it is above ground.

I have a monthly MetroCard that I haven't been able to use all week due to MTA shutdowns. Any chance of a reimbursement?

A friend is looking for WiFi in Nassau County. Does anyone have a running list? Many libraries don't have service.

We in Throgs Neck are very fortunate to have escaped bad effects from the storm. Our apartment is @1 mile from water's edge of Pelham Bay, but there is a huge park and the expressway between us and the water.

Years ago I lived in Durham, NC. A freak storm knocked out power lines. We lived a week with no heat, lights, etc. The whole area was down, so even if we didn't have 3 large dogs, there was no option of going to a hotel. Toughed it out. We were fortunate to have the barbeque grill and bag of charcoal left over from summer, so we could cook.

I am wondering about kids who may be displaced in the Rockaways and other areas in regards to school arrangements. My niece and nephew are among them and do not know when they will be able to go back to school. What will the DOE be doing about this?

How is the mail system working in the aftermath of Sandy? We received mail in Brooklyn yesterday, but can I expect to continue receiving mail regularly? What about mail to lower Manhattan?

We are also having trouble getting gas in greenpoint bklyn. There is a line up for the gas station on greenpoint & mcguinness stretching all the way to the Kosciusko bridge. What is going on?

@Karyn in WT: REd Hook Initiaive, 767 Hicks St.

Are there any restrictions on motorcycles/scooters at the crossings where there must be 3 occupants? Normally, motorcycles/scooters are HOV vehicles.

The Cuny website says "most of the Cuny schools will be open Friday." However, I have heard that BMCC is still flooded, and of course, there is no power. Why can't they tell us definitely whether BMCC will be open Friday?

Re: gas in NYC- I've heard a lot about gas shortages in NJ on news but nothing about NYC. My boyfriend is a yellow cab driver and he has been having a hard time finding gas, too - last night in Washington Heights, he saw huge lines at gas stations and he thinks at least one was out of gas. And that was all the way uptown in an area not badly affected by Sandy. Is there any way to find out which gas stations in NYC have gas or are out? Like a crowd sourcing map type of thing that WNYC is so good at? Great job on coverage, btw - your website and radio coverage have been phenomenal. Thank you!

Where can I donate the supplies we collected for the hurricane? I have 4 bags of ice, 5 gallons of water in a water igloo, candles, matches. I live in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn.

Two points:

This emergency illustrates the need for local radio stations with real humans connecting to the people. Thus, people need to fight the corporate media takeover.

I think we need to be more locally organized for the future. ie, if neighbors ( or next town over)would be collecting food from refrigerators and freezers and taking to homes able to cook or or preserve it, what a help and a way to reduce waste. Instead of relying on FEMA or Army food, there is so much being wasted. But this is neighborhood organization which local govt's could facilitate. Also organized for clean up, babysitting, etc.

I am unscathed and want to help, but local shelter is over volunteered and I don't know how else to be of aid without causing more chaos.

I left a message earlier - but don't see it here.. about the big problem of the city running out of gas. All gas stations round me in LIC/Brooklyn are out of gas and there's a huge traffic snarlup as a result. The gasstation owner says there's no power a the distribution center and no gas coming into the city. There's a Blood Bank opposite my studio (LIC) and they are running out of gas.. pretty serious.

Are there any pay telephones near Grand Central Terminal that are working?

I'm hearing from people who are distressed about missing 4+ days of work; for many this means they will not be able to pay rent or bills this month and not everyone can afford to have late payments. Any advice or resources out there?

I'm looking for gas in Northern Manhattan too...

Why is the marathon still planned? In the best of circumstances, it's a huge logistical undertaking and infrastructure commitment. Why does it make sense to do that now, on top of a fragile and struggling infrastructure, and with so many NYC citizens still in severe situations (food, water, power)? Seems tone-deaf on the part of the Mayor.

There seems to be a major fuel shortage in Brooklyn. Any idea when Brooklyn will be re-fuled?

I live in Ditmas Park Brooklyn and decided to take train to my office in Brooklyn Hts today rather than drive which took me two hours yesterday.
The Q is not running so I walked about a mile or so to the F train. At Coney Island Avenue and Ditmas where there are several gas stations, traffic was a nightmare with police at intersections and police cars sitting with lights flashing. Cars were at a standstill. An officer was telling drivers that there was no more gas. This was surprising but in retrospect, understandable to me. What is the outlook for gasoline supplies in the area?

My friend who was visiting from Florida will not be able to get a flight home in time to vote on election day. Is it too late for her to request an absentee ballot from here?

How will the presidential elections go forward with millions of people and probably thousand s og polling sites without electricity???

Finally got a flight out of Seattle back to JFK. How do you recommend I get back from the airport to Park Slope when I arrive? I have a 6 year old, and a moderate amount of luggage. How long will I have to wait for a cab? How long will the cab ride be to Park Slope? Any best way to travel there?

When is gasoline going to be available? what is the problem?