Watching the news and I see that all of lower Manhattan, including the area of my former loft, is flooded. In all the time I lived in New York, there was never such a storm. I was living there when the entire northeast lost power for three days and also when major snow caused the then mayor to suspend all traffic. What a kick it was to walk up the middle of 2nd Avenue, a major artery, and not a car in sight.

I phoned my friend, Inese. She Is on west 57th St., and not all that far from the Hudson, but in that area there is no flooding. She is three crosstown blocks away from the crane that is hanging in mid-air across the street from Carnegie Hall and being buffeted by 90-mph winds. Power was deliberately cut off in that area to avoid explosions if the crane fell. It is part of the construction equipment for a 90-storey building going up and it will be the tallest in the city. She told me that one of the one percenters has already rented the top floor for $40 million dollars.

All public transportation is suspended and interborough tunnels are flooded.

I feel sorry for the tourists that were caught with no way to get home because air travel is also iffy. What a way to end your vacation.

xx, Teal