With the worst of Sandy behind it, New York City is working to help New Yorkers recover from the storm. Shelters will remain open until residents can safely return to their homes. The New York City Department of Transportation has issued the following information update:
Federal Disaster Assistance
Anyone affected by Sandy (homeowners, renters, and businesses) can apply for federal disaster assistance. Register at disasterassistance.gov or by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) Before you call, be sure to have the following information ready:
Address of affected property
Insurance information
Social Security number
Electricity
Con Edison has reported widespread power outages across the five boroughs.
Con Edison estimates that customers in Brooklyn and Manhattan served by underground electric equipment should have power back within four days. Restoration to all customers in other areas served by overhead power lines will take at least a week.
In addition to the 250,000 electric customers without electricity in Manhattan, every steam customer south of 42nd Street lost service.
Customers can report downed power lines, outages, and check service restoration status by computer or mobile device at www.conEd.com. They also can call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633).
Transit/Transportation
The following bridges have reopened: Outerbridge, George Washington, Goethals, Verrazano-Narrows, Throgs Neck, Whitestone, Henry Hudson, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, Ed Koch-Queensboro, RFK, and Tappan Zee.
All MTA subway and commuter railroad service is suspended. Partial MTA bus service resumed at 5 PM, Tuesday, fare-free. MTA will attempt to run as close to a full weekday schedule as possible on Wednesday. Rides will continue to be fare-free. For more information, visit the MTA website.
The following sections of FDR Drive are now open: From the Battery to Dyckman Ave. and southbound from East 125th St. to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Alternate Side Parking regulations (street cleaning) will be suspended citywide on Wednesday, 10/31. Payment at parking meters is also suspended throughout the city on Wednesday, 10/31.
The Staten Island Ferry service is suspended until further notice.
East River Ferry service is suspended. Learn more.
NJ Transit bus, rail, light rail, and Access Link service will remain suspended until further notice. On Wednesday, 10/31, NJ Transit bus service will operate in Camden County only, on a weekday schedule. Learn more.
All PATH train service and stations are suspended until further notice. Learn more.
Amtrak announced has canceled Northeast Corridor service north of NYC, and nearly all service on the eastern seaboard, including Acela Express Northeast Regional, Keystone and Shuttle trains. Learn more.
The Cross Bay Bridge is closed southbound; all lanes are open to traffic heading north.
The Gil Hodges - Marine Park Bridge is open.
All lanes in both directions of the Lincoln Tunnel from New Jersey Side - Center Tube (Weehawken Twp) to New York Side - Center Tube (Manhattan) remain closed until further notice.
The Queens Midtown, Holland, and Hugh Carey (formerly Brooklyn-Battery) Tunnels are closed. Learn more.
Schools/Colleges
All NYC public schools will be closed on Wednesday, 10/31. For more information, visit the Department of Education website.
All City University of New York (CUNY) Colleges are officially closed Wednesday, 10/31, and all classes are cancelled. For more info, visit CUNY.edu.
Message to City Employees
New York City needs your help today. If your office is open and you can safely report to work, please do so - but only if you can get in safely. If your office is closed and you can safely report to a nearby shelter to assist with operations, please do so.
Parks
All NYC parks, playgrounds, beaches, and recreation centers remain closed until further notice due to hazardous conditions. Learn more via the Parks website.
Donations
Those who wish to donate to assist New Yorkers who suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy should visit Aidmatrix.
Damage
In order to qualify for disaster relief assistance, New York City must estimate the storm’s total effect on city residents and employees. Be prepared to answer questions about the extent of your property’s damage. You may call 311 to report downed trees.
Learn how to report damage to your home or business sustained from Sandy
Report downed trees online
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