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When Hurricane Sandy hit on Oct. 29, it left more than 300,000 Westchester County residents without power, including more than 11,000 in White Plains, about half of Consolidated Edison's customers in the city. Hundreds remained without power as long as two weeks after the storm.
"Obviously too many were left in the dark and cold too long," Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said. "Though Sandy has passed, the sense of urgency about Con Edison’s response and how it must do better next time remains."
Businesses, like Artyarns at 70 Westmoreland Ave., struggled to pay their employees while closed after the storm due to the power outage. Many homeowners awoke on Oct. 30 to find damage to their homes.
Although city workers were out the next day to clear the more than 70 roads blocked by debris from the storm, downed wires prevented them from working in many areas until Con Edison responded to shut off the power.
The city opened an emergency shelter, which was used by dozens of residents. Residents hardest hit by the storm also found refuge, like hot showers and a place to charge electronics, from local organizations and businesses, including the White Plains YMCA and YWCA, New York Sports Club and Planet Fitness. The city Community Center at 65 Mitchell Place served hot meals for seniors, and a disaster recovery center was opened in the Westchester County Center.
The storm also caused a gas shortage that produced nearly mile-long lines at pumps across the city during the week following the storm.
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