"Thousands of truckloads of food that were headed for stores in the Northeast are stuck on roadsides and in warehouses following the crippling blow Hurricane Sandy dealt to the nation's food distribution system."
Hurricane Sandy has halted the distribution of food to affected areas, but no one is concerned about major short-term food shortages.
One main issue is that businesses are out of power and have not reopened their doors. Preparations made before the storm have many grocery stores and warehouses stocked with a couple weeks worth of food, these places are equipped with back up generators. Ed Chouinard of Perishable Distribution Solutions (PDS) says "...people don't shop much for food if they've got no power. There's more likely to be a surge in demand when the power comes back on, because then everyone is restocking. But there wont be a shortage."
97 grocery stores were forced to close in New Jersey and now some have reopened and according to one New Jersey resident they were stocked with firewood and ice, along with food.
Charles Wilson, VP of corporate communications at Sysco, said they worked prior to the storm to make sure their clients had enough supplies in advance, until they could get back on the roads. He also said they have been working with disaster relief agencies to make sure we are one of the first responders and we're ready to go back in as soon as it's safe."
Prolonged power outages are a problem for perishable foods and the spread of food born illnesses. Making sure food is kept cold enough so bacteria does not spread is important for stores, businesses, and individuals.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/31/hurricane-sandy-disrupts-food-distribution_n_2049778.html?1351703911
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Hurricane Sandy and Mitt Romney's FEMA Problem
During the primary elections Mitt Romney made comments about cutting funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and now with Hurricane Sandy he has been dodging questions about his previous comment. Romney was quoted as saying
"Every time you have an occasion to take something from the Federal government and send it back to the states, that's the right direction. And if you can go even further, and send it back to the private sector, that's even better"
Hurricane Sandy has shown why having the federal government help is important in massive disasters that cover many states. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican, on the Today show said "The federal government's response has been great. I was on the phone at midnight again last night with the president, personally; he has expedited the designation of New Jersey as a major disaster area ... the president has been outstanding in this. The folks at FEMA, Chris Fugate, and his folks have been excellent."
The federal government is doing their job to help out states and citizens at a time when they need it. Romney has said it's immoral to have disaster relief, but that just doesn't work. Citizens should be able to rely on their governments to get back on their feet.
In 2013 tax cuts will expire and there will be automatic spending cuts made to almost all programs, including FEMA. Congress' inability to reach an agreement threatens the impacts of disaster relief.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/10/30/hurricane-sandy-exposes-mitt-romney-s-self-made-fema-problem.html
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2012/10/30/pmt-chris-christie-barack-obama.cnn
"Every time you have an occasion to take something from the Federal government and send it back to the states, that's the right direction. And if you can go even further, and send it back to the private sector, that's even better"
Hurricane Sandy has shown why having the federal government help is important in massive disasters that cover many states. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican, on the Today show said "The federal government's response has been great. I was on the phone at midnight again last night with the president, personally; he has expedited the designation of New Jersey as a major disaster area ... the president has been outstanding in this. The folks at FEMA, Chris Fugate, and his folks have been excellent."
The federal government is doing their job to help out states and citizens at a time when they need it. Romney has said it's immoral to have disaster relief, but that just doesn't work. Citizens should be able to rely on their governments to get back on their feet.
In 2013 tax cuts will expire and there will be automatic spending cuts made to almost all programs, including FEMA. Congress' inability to reach an agreement threatens the impacts of disaster relief.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/10/30/hurricane-sandy-exposes-mitt-romney-s-self-made-fema-problem.html
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2012/10/30/pmt-chris-christie-barack-obama.cnn
High Waves.. Surfing in Chicago
Winds from superstorm Sandy reached out hundreds of miles to Chicago causing near-record high waves on Lake Michigan. These waves sent a few brave surfers out into the cold waters despite warnings from city officials. The waves were getting up to 20 feet high, coming close to the 23 foot record. The National Weather Service said winds were blasting up to 54 mph in the area. The waves brought some fun for the surfers, but cargo ships were brought to a standstill and took refuge in harbors.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/winds-from-outer-edge-of-superstorm-sandy-mean-near-record-high-waves-good-surfing-in-chicago/2012/10/30/d079f6f4-22cd-11e2-92f8-7f9c4daf276a_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/winds-from-outer-edge-of-superstorm-sandy-mean-near-record-high-waves-good-surfing-in-chicago/2012/10/30/d079f6f4-22cd-11e2-92f8-7f9c4daf276a_story.html
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