Serious flooding and other problems in LIC

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    The other community that took a real hit is Long Island City, specifically the Hunters Point section of the neighborhood.

    Folks in this neighborhood were put under a mandatory evacuation on Saturday. They are in Zone A.

    Throughout Monday we saw the flooding arrive and take over Gantry Plaza State Park. This photo from Jimmy Van Bramer was particularly striking. Click to enlarge.

    gantries-lic-flooded-hurricane-sandy

    This image in particular has a bit of a dreamlike feel to it, like the whole thing isn’t real.

    This park in LIC is known as “Shady Park.” It lost a total of three trees, cutting down on the shade. Click to enlarge.

    shady-park-lic-hurricane-sandy

    We also heard there was flooding on 51st Ave and 5th Street (GMAP). This image is at the corner of 49th Ave and 5th St around 9pm Monday eve. Click to enlarge.

    49th-ave-5th-st-lic-hurricane-sandy-flooding

    Image source: Andrew Zimmerman on Facebook

    The writers at LIC Spot have been in the middle of LIC and making some observations. The Powerhouse, a condo development, was damaged. Lots of flooding and furniture strewn about at the Powerhouse Desk. Again, The Powerhouse and The Foundry were without power; Riverview South had no elevator service. There’s just a lot of cleanup that has needed to happen.

    A little ways away, some of the worst damage in the area was at this building on 41st Avenue and 29th Street (GMAP).

    queen-plaza-north-hurricane-sandy-damage

    Jimmy Van Bramer posted a statement on his Facebook page with these comments applicable to LIC:

    In the Long Island City area, there are still several condos without power. I have reported these cases to Con Edison myself and we are continuing to apply pressure in order to get the power up and running as soon as possible. Along both Center and Vernon Boulevards I visited businesses that experienced significant flooding damage as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

    In an effort to help them recover and reopen, I will be delivering FEMA Disaster Assistance forms to businesses. This information will help those affected on their way toward a full recovery. In order to apply for disaster assistance please go to www.disasterassistance.gov or contact FEMA at (800) 621-3362. This applies to both homes and businesses.

    LIC Partnership also sent this via email yesterday, especially applicable to the LIC business community:

    LIC has begun to recover from Hurricane Sandy. LIC Partnership staff is in the office with access to phone and email. Staff members have been assessing the damage on foot and reporting to 311. We have also been reaching out to business owners in person in addition to phone and email.

    We are here to help. Please be in touch with any questions or concerns.

    Industrial Businesses
    Deb Mesloh – 718-786-5300 x32dmesloh@licpartnership.org

    BID and Commercial Businesses
    Dana Frankel – 718-786-5300 x30dfrankel@licpartnership.org

    Other questions and concerns
    Dan Miner – 718-786-5300 x27dminer@licpartnership.org
    Gayle Baron – 718-786-5300 x22gbaron@licpartnership.org.

    The Business Improvement District sanitation crew is out today removing debris and security patrols have resumed. Many of our street banners were damaged in the storm. We are working with our contractor to remove damaged banners as soon as possible. If a banner is down near your business, you can let us know by contacting Erin Piscopink at 718-786-5300 x33 or episcopink@licpartnership.org.

    Good luck with the cleanup, LIC. Sandy sure walloped the area.

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