Call for NYC marathon postponement as Sandy clean up bid takes hold
Just some of the devastation brought about as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Here, a car sits damaged in the roadway of a normally busy district of New York borough Queens.
A Co Longford woman left homeless by the after effects of Hurricane Sandy has strongly criticised plans by senior politicians to host Sunday’s New York City Marathon as normal.
Norah Egan issued an impassioned plea to other Longford natives to boycott the 26 mile event at the weekend amid claims close to 100 people have so far lost their lives.
The Kenagh woman, who herself has spent the past two years training for the marathon, also told of her anguish at seeing her home destroyed by the events of last Monday evening.
“I have no power, no water or anything,” said a remarkably assured Norah, as she accepted a telephone call from the Leader earlier today (Friday).
A resident in the US for the past 17 years, Norah has since been forced out of her home in Long Beach, moving in with her friend as well as Kenagh compatriot Brenda McKeogh in nearby Queens as a last resort.
Her car was also destroyed by the tropical storm which has left thousands of homes decimated and millions more without power.
Similarly, the daughter of Kenagh correspondent Paddy Egan, has been unable to continue her professional duties as a personal assistant.
Casting her own personal circumsances aside, Norah opted to vent her fury at high ranking officials such as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to press ahead with Sunday’s marathon.
“I am digusted with Mayor Bloomberg. We are still recovering bodies and need our first responders and volunteers. On the morning of the marathon people taking part can get breakfast and other refreshments. That food could surely be going to all the people that are still suffering over here,” she said.
Nuala’s pleas don’t appear to have fallen on deaf ears either. New York City Councilman James Oddo was just as outspoken when taking to his Twitter account earlier today.
“If they take one first responder from Staten Island to cover this marathon, I will scream,” he said.
Meanwhile, experts have warned the total clean up costs from Hurricane Sandy was likely to be colossal.
Early estimates by financial experts put the potential cost of damage at $20bn (€15.5bn), with up to another $30bn (€23.2bn) in lost business, making it the most expensive storm in US State history.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
