As Oppressive Heat Takes Over, Some NYC Residents Remain Without Power Nearly A Week After Isaias
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias, more than 40,000 customers are still without power in New York City, Long Island and Orange and Rockland Counties.
Queens is the hardest hit in the city, with more than 5,700 customers with no electricity.
One area hoping to get power back is Woodhaven.
No electricity means no air conditioning for Teresa Gambino and her two children, one of them a sick 13-month-old girl.
"She has a heart disease. She also has heterotaxy syndrome with an absent spleen, which requires daily medication," Gambino said.
That medicine now has to be stored on ice, until the electricity comes back. Gambino even had to reschedule her daughter's heart surgery last Thursday because of the storm damage.
"I have been without power since Tuesday," Gambino said. "I completely understand we were hit with a major storm. I completely understand that. But this is unacceptable now, especially when you're not getting any answers."
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Tired of waiting for Con Edison to show up, neighbors in Woodhaven worked together Sunday to clean up a toppled tree. Uprooted stumps are now common sights. So are wide open windows, and seeing neighbors sweating it out on their front stoops, especially during a heat advisory.
"It's not good for the kids and elderly. I'm worried about my parents," one person said.
Several neighbors told CBS2's John Dias they feel Queens is the forgotten borough. On Monday, crews finally showed up on 76th Street.
PHOTOS: Tropical Storm Isaias Leaves Path Of Destruction In New York And New Jersey
"They go everywhere else except Queens. That's messed up." said Woodhaven resident Rajesh Gocool.
Con Edison said the tropical storm was a tree event, with so many going down in the outer boroughs that crews have been overwhelmed trying to restore the outages.
"Tomorrow will be one week since the storm hit us. It's second only to Superstorm Sandy, when it comes to knocking out service like this to Con Edison customers," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Con Edison predicts power will be restored Monday night in Queens. The community is hoping that's true.
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