LIPA Restores Power To Most On Long Island, But Over 4,000 Remain In The Dark
HICKSVILLE, NY (CBSNewYork) -- A week without power is sparking even more anger among thousands of people on Long Island.
"You kind of give up hope after a while that it doesn't seem like it will ever go on," John Zizzo of Massapequa Park told CBS 2's Dave Carlin.
Zizzo and a handful of neighbors on Hemlock Lane in Massapequa Park are angry from no hot water, no working appliances, and no straight answers.
"I think they were going biggest bang for the buck, what job can I do to put the most people back on line. Since this wasn't a real, put a lot of people back on line kind of job, we got pushed down on the priority list," said resident Ed Ryan.
As of Sunday evening, LIPA estimates power has been restored for 99 percent of customers, meaning over 4,000 are still without power.
Until power is completely restored, 12-year-old Eddie Ryan reads Harry Potter inside by flashlight, worried about completing back-to-school projects in time for the first day of classes on Tuesday.
"I'm not going to be able to print out the book reports that are due soon," he said.
On Saturday, frustrated residents of Hicksville made an appearance at a news conference held by LIPA and the National Grid.
"Hundreds of calls to the 800 numbers and sometimes we couldn't even get in," said one customer. "Nobody ever called back. They said we have your name, we have your number, we're aware but nobody did anything."
LIPA says crews will work around the clock this weekend to bring customers back online.
The American Red Cross on Long Island is also doing what it can to help storm victims.
Public Affairs Supervisor Craig Cooper says hundreds of clean up kits, meals and snacks have been distributed to Suffolk County residents.
"We have had a steady stream of people," said Cooper.
He says a lot of people are still without power on Long Island and the Red Cross is there to help.
"As you drive around now, you start to see signs nailed on trees that say 'please hook us up,' things like that," said Cooper. "We know a lot of people are very frustrated. We know that people is some places are still waiting for electricity and so for those folks, the Red Cross will continue to provide these services."
Cooper says they'll be monitoring LIPA's progress and will decide at the end of the weekend whether or not these support sites in Suffolk County will still be necessary.
The two support sites are at the following locations:
The Town of Babylon Department of Public Works Building
1023 North Indiana Avenue
Lindenhurst, NY
The Bayshore Fire Department South Parking Lot
195 Fifth Avenue
Bayshore, NY
For more information, click here.
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