Post-Sandy Struggle Presses On Along South Shore Of Long Island
FREEPORT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Residents on the south shore of Long Island on Saturday morning struggled to cope with the devastating aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
As CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported, those living in communities torn apart by the storm were sifting through what was left of their homes.
In Freeport, Woodcleft Canal was once a thriving nautical mile. But after Sandy, it was a shell of its former self.
A popular fish market and seafood restaurant that had been in operation for generations was ravaged by fire. As daylight arrived, boats were seen littering the landscape.
Volunteers were out trying to help one another, only to return home alone to try to help themselves.
Retired NYPD Officer Rich Moskowitz braced for the worst as boats floated down streets, slamming into his yard and spilling their oily contents.
"There is gasoline in the water, because you can smell it," Moskowitz said, "because had the DEC here yesterday."
Moskowitz would not dare drink the water, and with no electricity, the horrid cleanup began – raking oily, saturated indoor carpeting before removing it.
"Cutting carpeting up is very tough, because it's still wet," he said.
And Moskowitz also had to cut the carpet without power.
"It's called a utility knife," he said. And luckily, there was one open hardware store to get one.
Thus, Moskowitz will spend all his daylight hours struggling to get rid of the indoor damage.
By night, "I use the flashlights, and I have my old Sony Walkman, so I listen to CBS," he said.
There were plans to power up parts of Freeport over the weekend, and to undertake a better assessment of the damage.
Elsewhere on the south shore of Long Island, homes were missing front porches, roofs, and siding. Many roads are still flooded and wires are down. Plus, boats and other debris litter streets and properties.
Some police took up temporary residence in some of the abandoned homes.
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