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Anger Flares as Recovery Inches Ahead Anger Flares as Recovery Inches Ahead
(35 minutes later)
Patience was wearing thin on Friday amid widespread gas shortages, chilly homes without electricity and long, snaking lines for everything from buses to food handouts as many parts of the New York City region struggled to recover from the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy.Patience was wearing thin on Friday amid widespread gas shortages, chilly homes without electricity and long, snaking lines for everything from buses to food handouts as many parts of the New York City region struggled to recover from the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy.
As more than one million New Yorkers continued to cope with power failures, even the planned New York City Marathon became a source of bitter derision when news emerged that generators being used by organizers could have served hundreds of residences on Staten Island, the borough that bore the brunt of the city’s casualties. Beyond irritation, some New Yorkers say the lack of power has made them fearful.As more than one million New Yorkers continued to cope with power failures, even the planned New York City Marathon became a source of bitter derision when news emerged that generators being used by organizers could have served hundreds of residences on Staten Island, the borough that bore the brunt of the city’s casualties. Beyond irritation, some New Yorkers say the lack of power has made them fearful.
“It’s terrible,” said Marilyn Smalls, who lives in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn. “Totally black. It’s dangerous.”Government officials asked for patience. City departments tried to stave off the anger by opening help lines, handing out free meals, updating citizens with progress in restoring services and monitoring Twitter feeds, where they answered residents directly about their individual commutes. Fees were waived for bus and subway travel. And amid the continuing hardships, there were some positive signs: parts of Lower Manhattan might have power by the end of Friday, New Jersey Transit started running partial rail service, more of the Metro-North Railroad system was back and the Staten Island Ferry started up again.“It’s terrible,” said Marilyn Smalls, who lives in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn. “Totally black. It’s dangerous.”Government officials asked for patience. City departments tried to stave off the anger by opening help lines, handing out free meals, updating citizens with progress in restoring services and monitoring Twitter feeds, where they answered residents directly about their individual commutes. Fees were waived for bus and subway travel. And amid the continuing hardships, there were some positive signs: parts of Lower Manhattan might have power by the end of Friday, New Jersey Transit started running partial rail service, more of the Metro-North Railroad system was back and the Staten Island Ferry started up again.
Government officials continued to stress round-the-clock efforts, many by volunteers or employees whose own homes had been damaged, to restore normal life.Government officials continued to stress round-the-clock efforts, many by volunteers or employees whose own homes had been damaged, to restore normal life.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said the requirement that cars traveling into Manhattan on all tunnels and bridges, except the George Washington Bridge, must have at least three people would be lifted at 5 p.m. on Friday. Consolidated Edison, Mr. Bloomberg said, hoped to have power restored to “most” of Manhattan by midnight Friday, although residents who live in boroughs served by overhead lines will have to wait “a lot longer” for power to return. Most of the rest of Manhattan should get power sometime on Saturday.Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said the requirement that cars traveling into Manhattan on all tunnels and bridges, except the George Washington Bridge, must have at least three people would be lifted at 5 p.m. on Friday. Consolidated Edison, Mr. Bloomberg said, hoped to have power restored to “most” of Manhattan by midnight Friday, although residents who live in boroughs served by overhead lines will have to wait “a lot longer” for power to return. Most of the rest of Manhattan should get power sometime on Saturday.
And the mayor vigorously defended the decision to hold the marathon, which starts on Staten Island, on Sunday, saying it was important to show the city’s resilience. But four days after the storm ravaged the area, people who were coping with a variety of problems were becoming exasperated. At a housing project in the Coney Island, residents who stayed behind expressed mounting frustration at the absence of electricity, services and, in some cases, security. Some said they were so frightened that they locked themselves in their apartments at night and refused to open the doors to anyone.And the mayor vigorously defended the decision to hold the marathon, which starts on Staten Island, on Sunday, saying it was important to show the city’s resilience. But four days after the storm ravaged the area, people who were coping with a variety of problems were becoming exasperated. At a housing project in the Coney Island, residents who stayed behind expressed mounting frustration at the absence of electricity, services and, in some cases, security. Some said they were so frightened that they locked themselves in their apartments at night and refused to open the doors to anyone.
Ms. Smalls, 48, who lives in the housing project, said she would not even venture into the halls at night. “I don’t know who’s there,” she said.Ms. Smalls, 48, who lives in the housing project, said she would not even venture into the halls at night. “I don’t know who’s there,” she said.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said the city had made “great progress,” with service restored to about half of the two million customers who lost electricity during the storm. But perhaps mindful of the realities of disaster recovery, his morning briefing became a delivery of give-and-take, sprinkling his encouraging updates with expressions of caution.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said the city had made “great progress,” with service restored to about half of the two million customers who lost electricity during the storm. But perhaps mindful of the realities of disaster recovery, his morning briefing became a delivery of give-and-take, sprinkling his encouraging updates with expressions of caution.
Noting that progress in restoring power to Manhattan’s downtown area in particular would be a “big step forward” for transportation serving the area, he also hedged his remarks, noting it “did not mean that every light” would work.Noting that progress in restoring power to Manhattan’s downtown area in particular would be a “big step forward” for transportation serving the area, he also hedged his remarks, noting it “did not mean that every light” would work.
Speaking about the shortages, including of gas, he said: “It is going to require some patience, it is not going to get better overnight, it is not going to be a one- or two- or three-day situation. A little patience, a little compassion, a little understanding will make it better for everyone.”Speaking about the shortages, including of gas, he said: “It is going to require some patience, it is not going to get better overnight, it is not going to be a one- or two- or three-day situation. A little patience, a little compassion, a little understanding will make it better for everyone.”
“It has been a long week for everyone,” Mr. Cuomo added. “It is not over. There are still inconveniences but it could have been a lot, lot worse.”“It has been a long week for everyone,” Mr. Cuomo added. “It is not over. There are still inconveniences but it could have been a lot, lot worse.”
The losses, too, continue to pile up. Mr. Bloomberg said the death toll in New York City had risen to at least 41. The financial toll will approach $50 billion, according to an early estimate from economists at Moody’s Analytics — about $30 billion in property damage, the rest in lost economic activity like meals and canceled flights. But tiny increments of progress, including a second day of limited subway and bus lines, have been made in the aftermath of the hurricane, which made landfall on Monday night as what officials now describe as the worst storm to hit New York City. Its punishing floods, rains and wind left millions of people with overwhelming problems they too had likely never faced.The losses, too, continue to pile up. Mr. Bloomberg said the death toll in New York City had risen to at least 41. The financial toll will approach $50 billion, according to an early estimate from economists at Moody’s Analytics — about $30 billion in property damage, the rest in lost economic activity like meals and canceled flights. But tiny increments of progress, including a second day of limited subway and bus lines, have been made in the aftermath of the hurricane, which made landfall on Monday night as what officials now describe as the worst storm to hit New York City. Its punishing floods, rains and wind left millions of people with overwhelming problems they too had likely never faced.
Gina Braddish, 27, had four feet of water flood her home in Long Beach, on Long Island, leaving a slick of oil, gasoline and raw sewage across her floors.Gina Braddish, 27, had four feet of water flood her home in Long Beach, on Long Island, leaving a slick of oil, gasoline and raw sewage across her floors.
“I have oil slicked on my floors, and they tell me it’s not an emergency,” she said. “When the house blows up, then it’s an emergency. I just want someone to come down here and help.”“I have oil slicked on my floors, and they tell me it’s not an emergency,” she said. “When the house blows up, then it’s an emergency. I just want someone to come down here and help.”
As the week drew to a close, the widespread shortages disrupted some rescue and emergency services. The effort to secure enough gas for the region moved to the forefront of recovery work.As the week drew to a close, the widespread shortages disrupted some rescue and emergency services. The effort to secure enough gas for the region moved to the forefront of recovery work.
Mr. Cuomo said that as ports were reopened, the gas shortages should start to ease.Mr. Cuomo said that as ports were reopened, the gas shortages should start to ease.
In New Jersey, drivers waited in lines that ran hundreds of vehicles deep, requiring state troopers and local police officers to protect against exploding tempers. Some ran out of gas waiting.In New Jersey, drivers waited in lines that ran hundreds of vehicles deep, requiring state troopers and local police officers to protect against exploding tempers. Some ran out of gas waiting.
At stations that were open, nerves frayed. Fights broke out Thursday at the blocklong Hess station on 10th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, forcing the Police Department to send three officers to keep the peace, a police official said. By evening, the police had to close two lanes of the broad thoroughfare to accommodate a line of customers stretching eight blocks, to 37th Street.At stations that were open, nerves frayed. Fights broke out Thursday at the blocklong Hess station on 10th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, forcing the Police Department to send three officers to keep the peace, a police official said. By evening, the police had to close two lanes of the broad thoroughfare to accommodate a line of customers stretching eight blocks, to 37th Street.
Abhishek Soni, the owner of an Exxon in Montclair, N.J., called the police and turned off pumps for 45 minutes to cool nerves when disputes in the line Wednesday night became heated. “My nose, my mouth is bleeding from the fumes,” he said. “The fighting just makes it worse.”Abhishek Soni, the owner of an Exxon in Montclair, N.J., called the police and turned off pumps for 45 minutes to cool nerves when disputes in the line Wednesday night became heated. “My nose, my mouth is bleeding from the fumes,” he said. “The fighting just makes it worse.”
On Friday, the Queens district attorney’s office said a St. Albans man had been arrested after he pointed a pistol at a motorist who complained when he tried to cut a line at a Queens gas station. The man, Sean M. Bailey, 35, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing.On Friday, the Queens district attorney’s office said a St. Albans man had been arrested after he pointed a pistol at a motorist who complained when he tried to cut a line at a Queens gas station. The man, Sean M. Bailey, 35, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing.
Some have questioned whether the volunteers for the annual marathon, scheduled for Sunday, could be better deployed to assist with disaster relief. The New York Post cover questioned its use of generators. Mr. Bloomberg said the race should go on, defending the response of his predecessor, Rudolph W. Giuliani, in the months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.Some have questioned whether the volunteers for the annual marathon, scheduled for Sunday, could be better deployed to assist with disaster relief. The New York Post cover questioned its use of generators. Mr. Bloomberg said the race should go on, defending the response of his predecessor, Rudolph W. Giuliani, in the months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
“If you go back to 9/11, Rudy made the right decision in those days to run the marathon, and pull people together,” Mr. Bloomberg said. He said the marathon’s organizers were “running this race to help New York City, and the donations from all the runners in the club will be a great help for our relief efforts.”“If you go back to 9/11, Rudy made the right decision in those days to run the marathon, and pull people together,” Mr. Bloomberg said. He said the marathon’s organizers were “running this race to help New York City, and the donations from all the runners in the club will be a great help for our relief efforts.”
Earlier, when Mr. Cuomo was asked, he said that it was a decision better left to local officials, but that he understood “both sides.”Earlier, when Mr. Cuomo was asked, he said that it was a decision better left to local officials, but that he understood “both sides.”
Commuters have had to adapt to new rules to get to work with ingenuity and patience. On Friday in New York City, subway trains, which pressed back onto the rails on Thursday, continued with limited service, with downtown trains in Manhattan going as far as 34th Street before stopping because of power problems there.Commuters have had to adapt to new rules to get to work with ingenuity and patience. On Friday in New York City, subway trains, which pressed back onto the rails on Thursday, continued with limited service, with downtown trains in Manhattan going as far as 34th Street before stopping because of power problems there.
Leslie Watson, 43, a supervisor for AM New York, said that he took the M train over the F line but that he would normally take the E.Leslie Watson, 43, a supervisor for AM New York, said that he took the M train over the F line but that he would normally take the E.
“Yesterday, there were a couple of people from M.T.A. giving out information, but otherwise, like today, you’re on your own,” Mr. Watson said. “Not bad, but not good. My commute was 12 minutes late.”“Yesterday, there were a couple of people from M.T.A. giving out information, but otherwise, like today, you’re on your own,” Mr. Watson said. “Not bad, but not good. My commute was 12 minutes late.”
Staten Island Ferry service resumed.Staten Island Ferry service resumed.
By midmorning on Friday, long lines grew for the Williamsburg ferry service and they snaked around the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where people boarded shuttle buses to Manhattan to connect with other stops in the transit system. Many adapted, eating breakfast where they stood.By midmorning on Friday, long lines grew for the Williamsburg ferry service and they snaked around the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where people boarded shuttle buses to Manhattan to connect with other stops in the transit system. Many adapted, eating breakfast where they stood.
“I am rereading ‘Game of Thrones,’ ” Colin Wiggins, 30, who works in student affairs for CUNY in the northwest Bronx, said as she waited. “I chose this book because I knew I wanted something long and interesting for the next days.”“I am rereading ‘Game of Thrones,’ ” Colin Wiggins, 30, who works in student affairs for CUNY in the northwest Bronx, said as she waited. “I chose this book because I knew I wanted something long and interesting for the next days.”
For Friday’s commute, East River crossings by private passenger car were reportedly slightly more fluid as drivers apparently realized the authorities meant business when they required cars to carry three passengers or more in order to cross into Manhattan. When those rules went into effect on Thursday, cars were turned back if they failed to gather up the required passenger loads, creating the unintended effect of more traffic jams.For Friday’s commute, East River crossings by private passenger car were reportedly slightly more fluid as drivers apparently realized the authorities meant business when they required cars to carry three passengers or more in order to cross into Manhattan. When those rules went into effect on Thursday, cars were turned back if they failed to gather up the required passenger loads, creating the unintended effect of more traffic jams.

Reporting on the storm was contributed by Russ Buettner, Annie Correal, Alison Leigh Cowan, Sheri Fink, Joseph Goldstein, J. David Goodman, Denise Grady, Christine Hauser, Winnie Hu, Randy Leonard, Michael M. Grynbaum, William K. Rashbaum, Ray Rivera, Liz Robbins, Nate Schweber, Michael Schwirtz, Kirk Semple, Stacey Stowe, Rebecca White, Michael Wilson and Vivian Yee.

Reporting on the storm was contributed by Joseph Berger, Russ Buettner, Annie Correal, Alison Leigh Cowan, Sheri Fink, Joseph Goldstein, J. David Goodman, Denise Grady, Christine Hauser, Winnie Hu, Randy Leonard, Michael M. Grynbaum, William K. Rashbaum, Ray Rivera, Liz Robbins, Nate Schweber, Michael Schwirtz, Kirk Semple, Stacey Stowe, Rebecca White, Michael Wilson and Vivian Yee.