New York City is facing what seems to be a large problem with raw sewage all over the streets after Hurricane Sandy. Several blogs are directly reporting the problem.
For example, the blog Carroll Gardens Coalition for Respectful Development has photos of clumps of stuff on the streets, including used condoms. The blog reports:
Due to flooding and power related shutdowns caused by Hurricane Sandy, wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations have discharged untreated wastewater into New York City waterways. The New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene advises that direct contact with the Hudson River, East River, New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay and the Kill Van Kull for recreational activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing or any other water activity that would entail possible direct contact with the water should be avoided until further notice.
The blog also says that the Gowanus Canal, described as “highly contaminated, federally Superfunded,” has ” spilled over all the way to Bond Street (on the Carroll Gardens side) bringing with it disgusting debris, and a horrible, petroleum like stench from an unknown source. The Third Street bridge, at Third Street and the Gowanus Canal, which is also the neighborhood’s evacuation route, was entirely submerged.”
The Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Blog Pardon Me For Asking also reports raw sewage spilling out from a garage on 2nd Place.
FEMA and the National Guard need to get in their and clear the streets and get hand-held generators to as many residents as possible.
Karen A. Brown