Rockaways in cleanup mode after Hurricane Irene - New York Daily News
Craig Warga/News
Bernie McFadden sets up a pump to get the water out of his flooded basement near the corner of Beach 125th and Cronston Avenue after Hurricane Irene went through the Rockaways.A storm-battered boardwalk and yards of yellow emergency tape didn't keep scores of sun worshippers from Rockaway Beach Tuesday.
The beach was closed while officials tested water quality and cleaned up the wreckage of Hurricane Irene.
"A lot of people underestimated the severity of the storm but the city was well-prepared," said City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), whose district includes parts of Rockaway.
"The beach erosion is significant. So is the boardwalk damage," Ulrich added. "I hope the city will submit these claims to the federal government to get compensated. The city doesn't have the money to fix it."
Crews from numerous city agencies, including the Parks, Sanitation and Transportation departments, were busy removing debris.
Dangerous sections of the boardwalk, especially in the Beach 95th St. area, were roped off. Some stretches of the walkway were split like an open zipper.
"The storm could have been a lot stronger," said Robert Luzuriaga, who was selling ices yesterday on the boardwalk at Beach 97th St. "We're all fortunate."
Jonathan Gaska, district manager of Community Board 14, said he estimates that Rockaway lost 5 to 6 feet of sand.
"We need programmatic sand replenishment," he said. "It's not a matter of convenience or recreation; it's a matter of safety."
Despite the damage to the walkway itself, shops on the boardwalk emerged relatively unscathed.
The building and the merchandise were undamaged at Boarders on the Boardwalk, a concession that sells and rents surfboards, boogie boards and other beach accessories.
"These buildings have seen a lot," said employee Melanie Reichman.
The Parks Department urged New Yorkers to "use good judgment" in using beaches and parks until the city can assess the impact of the hurricane.
In nearby Broad Channel, Lydia Adamiszyn, 28, was dealing with a house full of water.
"I've been in Broad Channel my whole life - in terms of wind and water, this was the worst," she said. "It reached the carpet. It reached all the closets. It just wet everything."
By last night, Con Edison expected to restore service to the remaining 7,800 Queens residents who lost power, according to Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.
31 Aug, 2011--
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