... 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
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.
As I prepared for this weekend's "Eyewitness to Extreme Weather" Special airing Dec. 1st on WABC-TV I went to Mashable's New York City offices to talk storms and social media. The interview with Mashable Editor Lance Ulanoff was a smashing success. (I wanted to use mash and smash in the same sentence!) His interview will air on the TV Weather Special this weekend. But our meeting also sparked a conversation about how important social media is to technology verification. So, I became a guest writer on the topic. Read it here. Mashable Article
Mashable.com is a Scottish-American news website and Internet news blog founded by Pete Cashmore when he was just 19 years old. The website's popularity went viral with the digital generation with a primary focus on social media news. Mashable also coversdevelopments in mobile, entertainment, online video, business, web development, technology, memes and gadgets. Mashable Article
Meteorologist Amy Freeze
• NYC Service and NYC Service On Facebook
• Send Checks To:
Mayor's Fund To Advance New York City
253 Broadway, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10007
• Aidmatrix Network for Humanitarian Relief
Community/Faith-Based Groups: Check with your local Congregations.
Manhattan:
• Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation (Lower Manhattan): 1-212-965-1151
• The Church of the Covenant, 310 East 42nd Street between First and Second Avenues: Currently seeking canned food, bottled water, toilet tissue, feminine products, diapers, baby wipes, batteries, plates, forks. Baby food is especially needed. Will also take gently used coats and sweaters.
Brooklyn:
Red Hook Initiative (Red Hook): 1-718-858-6782, www.rhicenter.org.
Queens:
Christ Tabernacle Church & Assemblyman Mike Miller's office (83-91 Woodhaven Blvd.): 1-718-496-2515.
Sikh Cultural Society (South Richmond Hill, Queens): 1-718-441-0513.
New York Archdiocese Collection: Cardinal Timothy Dolan has called for a special collection to be taken up this weekend at all parishes within the Archdiocese of New York.
NYPD Donation Drive: To help assist New Yorkers citywide in areas worst affected by the hurricane, the New York City Police Deaprtment will collect non-perishable food, clothing, and other donations in the parking lot of 110-00 Rockaway Blvd. in Jamaica, Queens, which can be accessed from 109th St. & Rockaway Blvd. near JFK airport. Uniformed Community Affairs officers will be accepting the donations daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then delivering the items to locations citywide impacted by the storm. Anyone who wants to give is urged to donate canned goods, canned milk, bottled water and other non-perishables; paper products, personal and baby care products, trash bags, cleaning products, linens and towels, flash lights, batteries; clothing for colder weather. Money is not accepted.
For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/NYPD#!/NYPD/posts/379085022168286.
• Volunteer for NYC Parks:
- Bronx: Van Cortlandt Park, Orchard Beach (Click here to volunteer.)
- Brooklyn: Prospect Park, McCarren Park (Click here to volunteer.)
- Manhattan: Happy Warrior Playground, Annunciation Park, Carl Schurz Park, Anne Loftus Playground (at Fort Tryon Park), Randall’s Island (Saturday only) (Click here to volunteer.)
- Queens (Friday and Saturday only): Brookville Park, Baisley Pond Park (Click here to volunteer.)
• The Lower East Side Recovers
• Councilman Brad Lander's storm relief for Brooklyn
• Follow #SandyVolunteer on Twitter for more ways to help
• iTunes/App Store: Hurricane Sandy Relief
Salvation Army - if you are an individual, donate locally as you normally would do anytime.
• For corporations, organizations, restaurants and others able to donate food, water or supplies, please send an email to logistics@GNYSalvationArmy.com.
• For financial donations:
o Online: Visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.
o By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
o Text-to-Give: Text the word STORM to 80888, and confirm the donation with the word “Yes”
o By Mail: Checks may be designated and made payable to The Salvation Army Disaster Services Center, PO Box 1959, Atlanta, GA, 30301
Lost Pets or Rescue Animals:
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.
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.
Avoid Carbon Monoxide Build Up in Your Home: Don't use generators, charcoal grills or propane camping stoves indoors. Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States. Take it seriously and make sure you have working CO detectors in your home.
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
This is information to help you be aware and prepared as the wind impacts New York City. Meteorologist Amy Freeze
If you live in Manhattan you probably felt little more than a rainstorm for Irene but Sandy could be different. The wind field is incredible. Watch the forecasts. This storm is a monster in size with record low pressure and intensity will be maintained over a long duration. For these reasons I expect that there will be a high rise wind impact for Sandy.
We are still several days out from the storm but there is mounting evidence that Hurricane Sandy will affect our area. The risk of a significant impact from this storm increased again today along with the likelihood of a landfall along the U.S. East Coast. Now is the time to be aware of the forecast and make a "GO" plan for yourself and your family.
COASTAL WAVE FORECASTS FROM NOAA
Here’s generally what to expect in the Tri State, depending on where landfall is:
Direct hit between Eastern Long Island and Southeastern New England area:
Direct South Jersey hit:
Timing still depends on the exact track but the weather will start to go downhill Sunday.
A Hurricane Warning and evacuations could be in effect by then for parts of the coastal areas.
Complications are the full moon on Monday Oct. 29 - this will make any coastal flooding worse and typically takes the tide up to 1 foot above the high tide normals. And falling Autumn leaves will weigh down trees. Those still on trees will make it easier for some to come down, causing more power outages. Leaves on the roads will make it extra slippery. Plus leaves will clog storm drains.
Expect problems in our area abut also all along the East Coast depending on the exact track.
Air travel will be a nightmare, with flights canceled from DC to Boston, with many more big delays.
Our Director of Crisis Management and All-Star Emergency Preparedness Guru Howard Price has created a comprehensive list of links that will get you through any weather emergency! Check these links out! If you have some of your own to share - we would love to add them to the list! Thanks, Meteorologist Amy Freeze
DISASTER RESPONSE AGENCIES:
American Red Cross - Hurricane Preparedness
Insurance Information Institute - Hurricane Preparedness
FEDERAL:
Ready.gov Hurricane Preparedness
US Ctrs for Disease Control Hurricane Planning Resources
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE:
National Weather Svc - Upton LI
National Weather Svc - Upton LI (File a Storm Report Online)
National Weather Svc - Mt Holly NJ
National Weather Svc - Albany NY
National Weather Svc - Binghamton NY
National Weather Svc - Taunton MA
AccuWeather Hurricane Resources
CONNECTICUT:
CT Emergency Preparedness Guide
City of Bridgeport Hurricane Safety Information
City of Bridgeport Hurricane Flood Zone Locator
Town of Greenwich Emergency Preparedness
City of Norwalk Emergency Preparedness
City of Stamford Emergency Preparedness
NEW YORK CITY:
NYC OEM Coastal Storms & Hurricanes Preparedness
NYC OEM Coastal Storms & Hurricane Planning Guide (Multiple Languages)
NYC OEM Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder
LONG ISLAND:
Nassau Co Emergency Management - Hurricane Preparedness
Nassau & Suffolk Coastal Storm Surge Maps (Ocean & Sound Areas)
Suffolk Co Hurricane Flood Zone & Shelter Maps
Suffolk Co Emergency Preparedness
NORTHERN NY SUBURBS:
Dutchess Co Emergency Preparedness
Orange Co Emergency Management
Putnam Co Emergency Preparedness
Rockland Co Emergency Preparedness
Sullivan Co Emergency Preparedness
Ulster Co Emergency Preparedness
Westchester Co Hurricane Planning & Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder
NEW YORK STATE:
NYS Dept of Homeland Security & Emergency Svcs (DHSES) - Hurricane Preparedness
NEW JERSEY:
Hurricane
Preparedness - BEFORE the Storm
Hurricane
Preparedness - STORM APPROACHING
Hurricane
Preparedness - AFTER the Storm
NJ Hurricane
Planning Guide
NJ Evacuation Routes by County
Bergen Co Emergency Preparedness
Essex Co Emergency Preparedness
Hudson Co Emergency Preparedness
Hunterdon Co Emergency Preparedness
Middlesex Co Emergency Preparedness
Monmouth Co Emergency Preparedness & Evacuation Routes
Ocean Co Emergency Preparedness
Passaic Co Emergency Preparedness
Somerset Co Emergency Preparedness
Sussex Co Emergency Preparedness
Union Co Emergency Preparedness
Warren Co Emergency Preparedness
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES:
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
MTA Hurricane Planning Guidance
Connecticut Commuter Rail (Shore Line East)
ALERTING SERVICES:
NYS
Dutchess Co Text Message Alerts
Rockland Co Text Message Alerts
Suffolk Co Text Message Alerts
Sullivan Co Text Message Alerts
Westchester Co Text Message Alerts
NYC
NJ
NJ Transit Text Message Alerts
Middlesex Co Text Message Alerts
CT
City of Bridgeport Reverse 911 Alerts
City of New Haven Text Message Alerts
MOBILE APPS & WEBSITES:
National Weather Service Mobile Website
CodeRED Emergency Alert App (iPhone & Android)
American Red Cross Mobile Apps
American Red Cross Safe & Well Report
TWITTER:
NYS Dept of Homeland Security & Emergency Svcs
CT Dept of Emergency Mgmt & Homeland Security
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
National Weather Service Storm Reports via Twitter
National Hurricane Center - Atlantic Storms
Crested Coua Chick Hatches at Wildlife Conservation Society’s Central Park Zoo
This is INCREDIBLE because fewer than 40 crested couas live in U.S. zoos and it's happening right here in our own backyard NEW YORK CITY!! Meteorologist Amy Freeze
The markings on the inside of a coua chick’s beak are believed to be used by the parents for identification or as a target to aid in feeding. Crested couas are a species of cuckoo native to the African island nation of Madagascar. Although widespread in their native range, they are rare in U.S. zoos, with fewer than 40 living in American zoos. The hatching is a significant achievement as WCS’s Central Park Zoo is only the fourth zoo in the U.S. to have successfully reared a coua chick.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has field conservation programs within the crested coua’s range in Madagascar – and in nearly 60 countries and all four of the world’s oceans.
WCS Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/WCSMedia
www.wcs.org●www.bronxzoo.com●www.centralparkzoo.com●www.queenszoo.com●www.prospectparkzoo.com●www.nyaquarium.com
Wildlife Conservation Society http://www.facebook.com/TheWCS
Bronx Zoo www.facebook.com/bronxzoo
Central Park Zoo http://www.facebook.com/centralparkzoo
Queens Zoo http://www.facebook.com/queenszoo
Prospect Park Zoo http://www.facebook.com/prospectparkzoo
New York Aquarium http://www.facebook.com/nyaquarium
The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. www.wcs.org.