... you never know who you will meet on the R train to Brooklyn....

This was a fun story to do... following Jay Z's release of the documentary "Where I am From" about his 8 shows at the Barclay Center.  It was acutally his ride on the subway to his final show that had people talking.  He say next to a woman from Brooklyn who had no idea who he was... she was born in Williamsburg about 10 minutes from Jay Z's childhood neighborhood of Bed-Stuy.  Below is the story about 67-year-old Ellen Grossman meeting Jay Z.  She says she thinks she's luck to have met him - because of the way he made her feel in their one on one conversation on the Subway.  #NewYork  

STORY by Amy Freeze about Jay Z meeting Ellen

Video Clip of the woman who met Jay Z

You Tube of the Documentary WHERE I AM FROM

You Tube of Ellen and Jay Z

The National Hurricane Center made a major announcement for the hurricane warning procedure following a review of how Sandy was handled. 

In the wake of Sandy… the National Hurricane Center has modified their warning system.  Bascially the wording on the Sandy warnings was not aggressive enough due to the limitations of the definitions… which are now more broad.

Beginning in 2013, the NHC will have the flexibility to issue multiple advisories on post-tropical cyclones for landfalling systems or close bypassers.  The revision of the Hurricane Warning definition will now be as follows:

An announcement that sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are expected somewhere within the specified area in association with a tropical, sub-tropical, or post-tropical cyclone. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. The warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

NHC CHANGES THE HURRICANE WARNING SYSTEM

Barry Myers, AccuWeather CEO, is supportive of the decision.

"We are pleased to see NOAA's new policy. It will accomplish for the future, what AccuWeather advocated be done prior to the landfall of Hurricane Sandy," Barry Myers, AccuWeather CEO, said today.

Myers had granted an interview to AccuWeather.com about eight hours before Sandy's landfall and urged the government to issue hurricane warnings for the affected New Jersey and New York areas. He called Sandy a "hurricane embedded in a winter storm" that necessitated hurricane warnings.

FACT:  More people die in the aftermath of a hurricane than during the storm itself due to factors like drowning by driving or walking into flood waters, carbon monoxide poisoning and electrocution.

Please share these facts with those who are affected by the storm.  Safety after the storm is critical. People have lost so much, they are exhausted from sleep deprivation and worry, conditions are so catastrophic people do things they normally would not do. Meteorologist Amy Freeze

Below are excellent, well thought out tips from the Family Handyman.  More statistics from post hurricane dangers in this article.

Seaside Heights, NJ

Be Aware of Your Backup Water Supply: If your water supply shuts down, remember that your water heater holds enough drinking and cooking water to last several days. Let the water cool for a few hours before you open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.

Don't Get Electrocuted Your first impulse will be to wade in and rescue your stuff. But any water in contact with electricity might be deadly; an overlooked cord on the floor, for instance, could be electrifying a shallow puddle. Stay out of the water until you've turned off the power to your basement. And don't clear debris from your home and yard without surveying the area carefully. Downed or damaged power lines can send electrical currents through tree branches and metal fences. If you can't reach the circuit breaker box, call an electrician or your utility to cut the power to your home. 

Don't Get Sick: If the flooding is due to flash floods or your belongings are leaching toxins, the floodwaters may contain toxic chemicals and will almost certainly breed dangerous bacteria. Protect cuts and open sores from floodwaters and wear plastic gloves when handling your possessions.

Take Advantage of Your Emergency Drain: If your basement is flooding, remove the basement toilet to create an instant, high-capacity floor drain. That will also let in nasty sewer gases, so don't leave the drain unplugged any longer than necessary.

Tip 5: Emergency Bucket Flush: You don't have to live without a toilet just because the water supply is off. If you have a pool or other water source, you can flush with a bucket. Pour about 3 gallons into the bowl (not the tank) to get a fine flush.

Hint about Homeowner's Insurance: If the damage to your home isn't covered by your homeowner's insurance, don't report it to your insurance company. The report may still go on your insurance record and look like a claim when you shop for new insurance in the future.

Don't Get Locked In: Garage door openers lock up when the power goes off. Make sure everyone in your home knows about the cord that releases the door from the opener. That way, they can lift the door open and get the car out in an emergency.

Breezy Point, NJ

• Check for symptoms: The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning resemble those of the flu. If the alarm sounds and anyone is experiencing headaches, dizziness, fatigue or vomiting, get everyone out of the house and call 911. 
• Never ignore the alarm: Don't assume all is well if no one feels ill. Open your doors and windows to thoroughly ventilate the house. Turn off all potential sources of CO – your oil or gas furnace, gas water heater, gas range and oven, gas dryer, gas or kerosene space heater, and any vehicle or small engine. Have a qualified technician inspect your fuel-burning appliances and chimneys to make sure they're operating correctly and that there's nothing blocking the vents that let fumes out of the house.

Reduce Damage to Your Home: For roof damage larger than a shingle or two, the fastest bandage is a plastic tarp. Secure a tarp over the damaged area with 2x4s or lath nailed to the roof. If possible, secure the tarp over the roof ridge; it's difficult to make the tarp waterproof at the upper end.

Work Together: Avoid an "every man for himself" mentality. Once officials have signaled the "all clear," survey the damage to your home and reach out to your neighbors. It will be difficult to drive anywhere for supplies (if stores are even open), and you'll conserve resources by pooling them. Assess your neighbors' stocks of food, water and other resources. Eating meals collectively will reduce the amount of food that spoils (use fresh foods first) and will conserve cooking fuel.

Credit: The Family Handyman