By COLlive reporter
More than 2 million people were told to evacuate, while airline, rail and transit systems in New York and other cities have been shut down over Shabbos as Hurricane Irene hit the U.S. east coast.
Authorities have issued hurricane watches and declared states of emergency for Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New England, New Jersey, New York and Virginia.
VIDEO: Heavy Rain in South Caroline As Irene Moves North
Council Member Al Vann said none of the 36th Council District is considered low lying, so there is no mandatory evacuation for residents of the district which includes Bed-Stuy and northern Crown Heights.
Subways were not expected to resume until Monday, Reuters reports.
VIDEO: Mayor Bloomberg Briefs New Yorkers
Airlines canceled more than 9,000 flights for the weekend and another 250 on Monday, according to the online flight tracking service Flightaware.com.
The Northeast is the most congested area of U.S. air space, with JFK and LaGuardia airports in New York and Newark airport in New Jersey handling nearly 100 million domestic and international passengers annually.
The New York-area airports closed at noon EDT for arrivals and the last departures were expected during the evening. Those airports would then be fully closed and would reopen as post-storm conditions permitted, officials said.
Heavy rain that came down most of Shabbos day in Crown Heights did not stop Jewish residents from filling up the local shuls and rushing through the streets for Shabbos meals and family simches.
Notably missing were many families who remained in Upstate New York, spending Shabbos – and possibly the coming days – in their bungalow colonies.
On Kingston Avenue, a dark-colored vehicle was spotted on the side of the street that was secured with cardboard, straw wire and blue packing tape.
At the ‘ufruf’ kiddushim held in the main shul in 770 Eastern Parkway, some chassanim who are scheduled to marry early this week expressed fear over travel disruptions.
COLlive.com was told that families rented cars to make it to weddings planned for early this week in both the U.S. and Canada. They were said to leave on Motzoei Shabbos from New York, instead of on their cancelled flights.
Photographer Israel Bardugo who was meant to shoot a wedding in the U.S. on Tuesday had his flight from Tel Aviv cancelled.
EMERGENCIES
Many are preparing for days of hurricane-force winds, rain, power cuts and disruption in its wake.
A volunteer of Hatzalah Crown Heights told COLlive.com there were no storm related emergencies over Shabbos.
He said that the medical service organization is prepared for several scenarios, including power outage.
“If there is an emergency, do not hesitate to call,” he said. Their number is 718-230-1000.
SCHOOLS & STORES
Kol Tuv Grocery on 409 Kingston Avenue (corner of Montgomery street) will be open as usual: Motzoei Shabbos until 12am and Sunday from 9am until 12am.
Kahan’s Superette on 317 Kingston Avenue (corner of Union Street) will be open Sunday from 8am to 6pm depending on conditions.
Rabbi Elchonon Lesches, Dean of Beis Medrash Oholei Torah Zal in Crown Heights, told COLlive.com that learning scheduled to resume on Sunday morning has not been affected.
“We have 150 bochurim who are already in our dorm on Eastern Parkway and for them it will be a 30 second walk to the Zal for regular seder,” he said in a phone conversation on Motzoei Shabbos.
“I told out of towners and those in the country not to come in, but bochurim who are living in Crown Heights should use their common sense whether it is safe to come,” Rabbi Lesches said.
Oholei Torah Mesivta will be opening on Monday at 10:30 am instead of the regular 7:30 am.
Sunday’s “Guns, Halacha and the Constitution” seminar at a 935 Eastern Parkway Shul has been cancelled.
Facebook has been particularly active with status updates revealing how the storm is affecting people’s day to day lives – some even using humor.
One line that has been going around reads:
“As Hurricane Irene prepares to batter the East Coast, federal disaster officials warn that Internet outages could force people to interact with other people for the first time in years. Residents are bracing themselves for the horror of awkward silences and unwanted eye contact.”
Hurricane Irene Emergency Information:
+ National Hurricane Center
+ Ready.Gov Hurricane Preparedness
+ Maps and Resources related to Hurricane Irene
im loving this … its as if the world is coming to an end due to a big thunderstorm hahhh
good luck to everyone that lives in those areas. hashem will help!!!
No one said “force” but rather said “cause” as in when they stay open during the morning hours at the height of the storm it sends a message of calm A false calm at a time when people should stay indoors. You vs always buy gum later. Mevinim like you are dangerous. Even if it does weaken and its not as bad it is still better to be prepared. Better safe than sorry.
Chill? Everyone becomes an expert…. The wind alone was predicted to blow @ 80 mph in a category 1. It only takes one loose object flying at such speed to C”V kill someone. There is a reason for all the preparedness. Don’t try to be cool. BE SAFE!
I agree Zal shd start on Monday, its not fair to start with haf the bochurim who live 30 seconds from Yeshiva, what ab’ the rest?and its not safe to be in the streets at all
Yep…
And how sillly can people really get on this col page… come on…
Stores will open for those who need it just in case… so then you type that they are “forcing” mothers to walk out with their kids and 80mph winds… PLEASE!!!
Even during a tropical storm with wind gusts the biggest hazard is flying debri that can be dangerous projectiles…. We know this all to well in Florida!!! Therefore stay indoors & keep away from windows or glass doors & pray for the safety of everyone… Believe me the Yiddin in Florida know how to pray with total kavanah when there is ANY threat to human life!!!
Im in NY and all I see is a rainstorm, no big deal… seriously whats all the fuss? The major hits were in the carolinas and Virginia area and even so only coasts. Unless you live near a coast in NY you’ve got nothing to worry about.
New York, you guys gotta chill, by the time Irene gets to you its going to be a Category 1…pretty much a big rain storm, you really need to relax…
i feel that oholei torah never closes its doors, which is all good and fine, but tomorrow morning is a danger to have bochrim walk in the streets in the morning. i know its the first day of zal, but it should of been pushed off for several hours till things get calmer. i know my son went to the city tonight because he dosent want to miss yeshiva, but i dont think its very safe. as a parent i couldnt argue with him! he was insistent.
It stated they would be open tomorrow. From 8 to noon time there will be severe winds. Imagine a mother and kids walking to buy groceries. It’s Pikuach Nefesh!
Everyone should have listened to the warnings and stocked up BEFORE the storm!
To the contrary!
I would like to publicly thank Kol Tov for being open tonight. We needed some extra things for the house that would make our family more comfortable (some for, gum is as crucial as bread in stressful times).
There is no danger of going outside at the moment and being open at such an hour – on any given night – is a service that is much appreciated.
P.S. Kingston Pizza was open as well and I’m sure there were children who were very happy when their father came home with a pie.
nothing like collive!!!
For groceries to be open and draw people to go out while the wind is blowing at 80 mph is extremely irresponsible! Only in Crown Heights. Shameful!
amen
moshiach now