Local updates: Sandy's impact on Long Island, Nov. 6

UPDATED: 8:52 P.M.

East End train service restored

Train service between Speonk and Montauk will be restored Wednesday, the Long Island Rail Road said.

Also, the LIRR reports that it will provide bus service between Island Park and Lynbrook from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. starting Wednesday. The buses will make a loop between the LIRR’s Island Park and Lynbrook stations, stopping at Oceanside, East Rockaway, and Centre Avenue stations along the way. Train connections to and from the bus loop can be made at the Lynbrook station.

For special modified timetables, visit www.mta.info.

UPDATED: 7:38 P.M.

Storm pushes FEMA to Islip emergency center

The Town of Islip said FEMA representatives have temporarily taken up residence at the town's emergency operations center, and will be there to consult with residents who have questions about assistance post-Sandy.

SEE PHOTOSSandy's impact on Long Island

"We have 12,000 still without power, and from FEMA we really need a plan for long-term housing for those of our residents who are displaced due to catastrophic damage to their homes," Supervisor Tom Croci said Tuesday.

He added that members from the Small Business Association and the state Social Security Administration have also been on-site to consult with and assist residents still reeling in Sandy's wake.

Croci said FEMA representatives went door-to-door in the town's hardest hit neighborhoods Tuesday, surveying damage and speaking with affected homeowners who Croci said are "still hurting."

"This kind of presence would have been helpful five days ago," Croci said. "I don’t’ know why there was such a delay – certainly from my time at the Homeland Security Council I recall a different response time. I’m not sure why it was delayed in this situation, but I’m glad they’re here."

-- CANDICE RUUD

UPDATED 5:48 P.M.

North Sea firefighters donating to E. Rockaway

The North Sea community on the South Fork of the Island escaped the brunt of Sandy’s wrath, but that didn’t stop its local fire department from collecting supplies for heavily afflicted areas.

North Sea Firefighter Colleen Rosko, who initiated the collection effort, said the department is not looking for blankets, clothing or pillows, but instead the items people don’t necessarily think of.

From Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., the department’s main firehouse, at 149 Noyac Rd. in Southampton, will serve as a drop-off site for donations.

“Water is great and food is great, but there is already an abundance of all that,” said Rosko, 26, of North Sea. “We need items like adult diapers, Tylenol, head cold medicine, gloves, baby diapers, baby wipes and diaper cream.”

The department is also calling for feminine products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, shampoo and conditioner, among other toiletries. Cleaning supplies like mops, brooms, soap, rags and sponges are also in demand.

Rosko said her area wasn’t as badly damaged as other areas on Long Island like East Rockaway, so she and her department were glad to help.

“I didn’t think we’d do nearly as well as we did on our first day [Tuesday] and I’m looking forward to what tonight brings,” she said. “I’m really proud to see all the communities come together.”

The donations will be delivered to East Rockaway Fire Department on Saturday morning to be distributed to residents not only in East Rockaway, but to communities all over the Island.

For more information, call Rosko at 631-741-0932, or send her a message at kajeen211@yahoo.com.

-- Brittany Wait 

UPDATED: 5:13 P.M.

FEMA mobile centers closed

Because of a nor'easter expected to hit Long Island Wednesday, FEMA is closing its mobile Disaster Recovery Centers on Long Island at 6 p.m.

"When conditions are considered safe -- we hope sometime Thursday -- they will reopen," said FEMA spokesman Bill Rukeyser.

FEMA's two centers housed in buildings, on Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge and on Center Street in Riverhead, will stay open for the storm's duration.

-- Sarah M. Crichton

UPDATED 3:40 P.M.
FEMA at Lindenhurst Memorial Library Tuesday, Wednesday

Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives will be helping residents Tuesday at Lindenhurst Memorial Library apply online for FEMA aid after superstorm Sandy ravaged the South Shore last week.

A half-dozen representatives are able to assist residents, using six computers in a meeting room downstairs, until 6 p.m. They will return to assist on Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Library director Peter Ward said FEMA will return to the library on a day-to-day basis, depending on how long they’re needed to assist storm victims.

“People come in and FEMA counsels them on their situation and helps them fill out the form online to apply for FEMA aid,” Ward said.

For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LindenhurstLibrary, call 631-957-7755, or tweet @LindenhurstLib. FEMA's toll-free number is 800-621-3362.
-- Brittany Wait

UPDATED 3:35 P.M.
Resident: Smithtown damage underreported

Lisa Sisino was happy to report that after more than a week, power was restored to her Smithtown home just last night.

"Thank God," she said, as she left Smithtown Elementary School on Tuesday afternoon after voting. "Now I'm just worried about gas."

Even at the climax of a heated presidential race, superstorm Sandy was still very much on people's minds in Smithtown.

Another resident leaving the polls, a man who revealed only that he was a "senior citizen," said he was still without power, as were many people and businesses in the town.

"You don't hear about Smithtown," he said. "We're not in the news but parts of this area are in bad shape."

At the nearby BLT Cafe in St. James, customers at the counter chatted about life without power, the joys of returning hot water, and how to seek help.

"Yes, of course you can apply for money from FEMA," one customer assured another. "I'll give you the number!"

Sisino, 53, said at least the storm taught her a valuable lesson in preparedness.

"I need better flashlights, gas in my car, that 5-gallon tank in my garage? That should be full, too. Maybe a few blocks of ice," she said. "I did walk away with that."
-- Erin Geismar

UPDATED 2:45 P.M.
St. James cafe becomes Sandy information center

UPDATED 2:35 P.M.
Concert to benefit Lindenhurst residents

The Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts will join Long Island musicians on Sunday for a benefit concert to raise money for the Lindenhurst Relief Fund in the wake of superstorm Sandy.

The concert will be at the BACCA Arts Center, at 149 N. Wellwood Ave. in Lindenhurst from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

The show will feature Long Island musicians Bob Blatchley, Ira Perlman, Kendall and Korb, Sid Cherry, Wavelength, Cathy Kreger, Walt Sargent, Cecilia Kirtland, Josh Joffen, Maria Fairchild and Steve Robinson.

All proceeds, including raffles and snacks, will go to the Lindenhurst Relief Fund.

For more information, contact the BACCA at 631-587-3696.
-- Brittany Wait

UPDATED 2:28 P.M.

MTA hearing postponed

A reminder that the MTA's planned fare hike public hearing at Farmingdale State College Wednesday is postponed. No new date has been set.

-- Alfonso Castillo

UPDATED 1:59 P.M.

A 'grateful' waitress in Islip

UPDATED 1:15 P.M.
Free ice, food in Babylon Village

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office will be distributing free ice to county residents on a first-come, first-serve basis on Nov. 6 at the American Legion Hall, at 22 Grove Place in Babylon, from 2-4 p.m.

Residents are told to bring their own coolers. For more information, call the Sheriff's Office at 631-987-0706.

Dennis Hovanec, a member of the American Legion, said the hall has also been holding a food and clothing drive since Saturday. The hall also offers hot food and beverages throughout the day.

“They can come to the post and eat, get warm and pick up food or cleaning supplies,” said Hovanec, 62, of West Babylon. “We’re going down to the waterfront, south of Montauk Highway, to deliver food and cleanings supplies, too. We’re doing everything that we possibly can.”

The American Legion Hall offers coats, blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, plastic garbage bags, toilet paper, paper towels and even ready-to-go boxes with assorted necessities.

On Wednesday, residents can come to the Legion for coffee and bagels as early as 8 a.m., but volunteers will also be there all day to assist those in need and serve hot soup during lunchtime.

“It’s an amazing thing that’s going on here,” he said. “We even have volunteers outside barbecuing.”

For more information, call the American Legion Hall at 631-669-0094.
-- Brittany Wait

UPDATED 12:50 P.M.
Home Depot, other companies pitch in after Sandy

Home Depot pitched in Tuesday with 10 truckloads of cleaning supplies for post-Sandy cleanup — five trucks for New Jersey and five for New York.

The trucks will be packed with cleaning chemicals, mops, brooms, shovels, dust masks, batteries and other supplies, Home Depot regional vice president Tony Lemma said at a news conference Tuesday with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Lemma said the effort was part of a $1-million commitment from the Home Depot Foundation to helping residents of both states.

Cuomo said there has been “an outpouring of support” from corporations like Walmart, Home Depot, PepsiCo and others.
-- William Murphy

UPDATED 11:30 A.M.
Suffolk SPCA needs lots of help

Suffolk County SPCA Chief of Department Roy Gross is imploring the public to help with his organization’s needs.

Volunteers are needed around the clock at Sachem High School East, 177 Granny Rd., Farmingville. Volunteers are needed to feed, walk and care for animals.

“We’re spread pretty thin right now,” said Gross, who added that some staffers haven’t had a break since the Sunday before superstorm Sandy. “Our mobile MASH unit is parked in front of an American Red Cross shelter that doesn’t allow pets. We need people to feed and care for the animals being housed in the MASH unit.”

Pet food donations can be taken to 725 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Building 16, Hauppauge (GPS location is Smithtown) and Talmage Farm Agway, 1122 Osborn Ave., Riverhead.

For more information, call 631-382-7722 or visit suffolkspca.org.

The Nassau SPCA is assisting in running the pet-friendly shelter for Nassau County.

“We need help with the animals and people to drop off supplies,” says staffer Gary Rogers.

For more information call 516-272-0017 or visit nassaucountyspca.org.
-- Sylvia King-Cohen

UPDATED 9:30 A.M.
Civic association, King Kullen team up

The East Moriches Property Owners Association and several King Kullen locations are teaming up to collect food, other needed items and monetary donations for superstorm Sandy victims.

EMPOA members will collect items Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the King Kullen in Center Moriches. On Friday EMPOA members will be at the Eastport and Manorville King Kullen locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Volunteers are still needed for Friday at King Kullen in Manorville. To volunteer several hours or the day there, please call 631-874-2384 or email empoa@suffolk.lib.ny.us.
-- Newsday Staff

UPDATED 9:15 A.M.
Hempstead Town warming centers and showers

The Town of Hempstead has opened locations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as warming centers:
-- Baldwin Senior Center, 1810 North Grand Ave., Baldwin
— Bellmore Senior Center, 2000 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore
— Elmont Senior Center, 138 Elmont Rd., Elmont
— Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Place, Franklin Square
— Green Acres Senior Center, 400 Flower Rd., Valley Stream
— Levittown Senior Center, 555 Newbridge Rd., Levittown
— Rosa Parks Senior Center, 2 Babylon Tpke., Roosevelt
— Salisbury Senior Center, 460 Salisbury Park Dr., Westbury
— Uniondale/Hempstead Senior Center, 840 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale
— Uniondale/Merrick Senior Center, 750 Jerusalem Ave., Uniondale
— Wantagh Senior Center, 1150 Seamans Neck Rd., Wantagh
— Merrick Road Golf Course Clubhouse, 2550 Clubhouse Rd., Merrick
— Echo Park Pool, 399 Nassau Blvd., West Hempstead

Echo Park Indoor Pool and Athletic Complex, located at 399 Nassau Blvd. in West Hempstead, will be accessible to residents seeking warm showers. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
-- Newsday Staff