As Hurricane Sandy descended on the U.S. East Coast, a group of 350.org activists, a global climate campaign, gathered together and unfurled a giant parachute banner with the words “End Climate Silence” to increase awareness of the climate crisis.
If there is something to be learned from all the natural disasters befalling humanity in recent times, it is that natural disasters force people to put their daily routines aside and come together to help each other in the presence of a much larger nature coming down on us.
Here at MutualResponsibility.org, we would like to collect any stories, pictures and/or videos of how this hurricane has brought people together in order to emphasize that one way or another, people will need to come together beyond any seeming differences, and the many inspiring stories of human connection when faced by natural disasters shows us how such connection is possible.
Please add your stories, pictures and/or videos in the comment section below…
The two friends had not seen each other since their respective families evacuated because of Sandy, the massive superstorm that made landfall Monday, Oct. 29, 2012.
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-201_162-10014438.html?tag=cbsnewsHardNewsFDArea;fdgallery
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JerseyShoreHurricaneNews receives public acclaim in the New Jersey local newspaper
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/11/facebook_page_becomes_lifeline.html
“Will someone check on my house in Ortley Beach? Can someone visit the woman trapped in Seaside Heights? Is my boat still docked in the bay near Lavallette?
These are the types of questions he and a few friends have fielded in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
When power failed and phone service crashed a few days ago, hundreds of thousands of people turned to Twitter and Facebook to share information about the storm’s wrath” ….
How disastrous events help bring out the best in others, and the positive usage of social media in dire times of need…
“I don’t know how people started finding the photos. People have been offering me money to take pictures of their homes, but that’s crazy. We’re just doing this to help out.”
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/heroes-superstorm-sandy-164837461.html
The nurses and FEMA crew assigned to NYU’s Tisch Hospital
Imagine speeding down a pitch-black flight of stairs, carrying a small child struggling to breathe—and in the middle of a raging storm. Without fail, a FEMA team deployed in New York City, greatly aided by local facilities’ workers, faced such challenges efficiently and courageously as they evacuated many of the patients from NYU’s Tisch Hospital in the midst of the storm.
More than 200 people, from infants to the elderly, were emptied from the hospital’s buildings after the power failed. (Not only had the basement flooded, but the backup generators also fizzled.) The paramedics and rescue workers, some New Yorkers and others from as far away as Kentucky, carried out the job without a single casualty.
Emily Rahimi, New York Fire Department’s one-woman response team
If it weren’t for the efforts of Emily Rahimi, even those New Yorkers who hadn’t lost power might have been in the dark. At the helm of the NYFD’s official Twitter feed, she made contact with and provided information to those having difficulty reaching 911. Rahimi also passed along updates from the mayor’s office and urged individuals, through Twitter, not to give up on calling the emergency number, assuring those waiting that help would come.
Article at huffington post of aftermath with stories of helping out when others are in need, sometimes it seems when disaster hits it brings out the best in others, but why does that happen in the face of disaster? Sure hope this changes for the future of our planet and we wont have to wait for more traumatic events to take place in order to help and pay attention to others besides our immediate famiies and friends
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/02/hurricane-sandy-evacuations_n_2065413.html
(Cooperation in the community)
“Bethel Wraps Its Arms Around Residents”
“Two dozen school kids, who helped make sandwiches for senior citizens Wednesday, played in the teen center while Cali, a small dog, rested in his crate in the makeshift animal shelter. A tropical fish was on its way.”
“I am very impressed with the talent and dedication of the town employees,” said Don Shean, a Bethel resident, Red Cross volunteer and one of the town’s trained emergency staff at the shelter. “A lot of it’s their spirit. Everybody works together. It’s very cooperative spirit.”
Read more: http://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Bethel-wraps-its-arms-around-residents-4001860.php#ixzz2B4XjZY00
Occupy Sandy is a coordinated relief effort to help distribute resources & volunteers to help neighborhoods and people affected by Hurricane Sandy. We are a coalition of people & organizations who are dedicated to implementing aid and establishing hubs for neighborhood resource distribution. Members of this coalition are from Occupy Wall Street, 350.org, recovers.org and interoccupy.net.
Beautiful story of doctors, nurses, residents, medical students, firefighters and police officers coming together to evacuate hospital patients, carrying them all down 15 flights of stairs “in the dark, with flashlights.” Human connection is possible so what are we waiting for… “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2012/10/heroes-hurricane/58498/
Times of national disasters not only can bring people together, but also rival technology companies.
http://abcnews.go.com/technology/t/blogEntry?id=17610956
Exasperation builds on Day 3 in storm-stricken NYC
http://touch.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-73130606/
There’s plenty of gasoline in the Northeast — just not at gas stations.
http://touch.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-73130606/
3 people in the car is a rule now – Bridges into the city were open, but police enforced a carpooling rule and peered into windows to make sure each car had at least three people. The rule was meant to ease congestion but appeared to worsen it. Traffic jams stretched for miles, and drivers who made it into the city reported that some people got out of their cars to argue with police.
Diabetic amputee woman,her daughter and granddaughter was trapped in their bungalow,I swam across the street and got them all on their roof.
Liam tweeted his story 5:59 AM – 31 Oct 12
(Communal Cookout)
RED HOOK — This afternoon, the team from Fort Defiance — a Red Hook restaurant that was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy — hosted a communal cookout in front of Home/Made. The late lunch included burgers, grilled chicken, potato salad, and a lot of conversation between members of the community about weathering the storm.
http://ny.eater.com/archives/2012/10/fort_defiance_postsandy_cookout.php
(A powerful message of unity, desire for ever lasting unity)
“Hurricane Sandy Unites New Yorkers – Again”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/31/hurricane-sandy-unites-new-yorkers-again-marlo-thomas_n_2047268.html
(Bringing people together from all around the world)
“Candlelight vigil held to sympathise with US citizens”
ARACHI: To express solidarity with the American people suffering from devastating Hurricane Sandy, a candlelight vigil was organised by Pasban Pakistan outside the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012%5C11%5C01%5Cstory_1-11-2012_pg7_22
(Cooperation between community leaders, city worker and citizens)
As people across the city work to recover from the impact of Hurricane Sandy, a group of seniors trapped in a Lower East Side building — without electricity, water or adequate food supplies — are being saved from the brink of despair by community leaders, city workers and volunteers who have come to their aid.
http://www.thevillager.com/?p=8324
“The unexpected pleasure of Hurricane Sandy
A day after Sandy hit, with hundreds in need of hot meals, one mom found a way to keep the kids busy while participating in a community-wide effort to pitch in.”
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-features/the-unexpected-pleasure-of-hurricane-sandy.premium-1.473691
Line Mtn., Tri-Valley football squads join to assist others
Published: November 1, 2012
KLINGERSTOWN – This Friday, they’ll face off on opposite sides of the field.
On Sunday, they were on the same team.
Members of the Line Mountain and Tri-Valley football teams, coaches and parents were among more than 70 volunteers who joined in Klingerstown on Sunday, Oct. 28, in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy’s impending landfall.
http://citizenstandard.com/news/line-mtn-tri-valley-football-squads-join-to-assist-others-1.1395704
Residents Regroup After Hurricane Sandy
“Throughout the town, residents can be seen picking up fallen branches and limbs while helping neighbors who were hit hard by the storm.”
http://verona.patch.com/articles/residents-regroup-after-hurricane-sandy#photo-11957781
From OccupyWallST FB: Today we’ve begun to set up 2 more relief sites in Far Rockaway. Our communities are devastated and we are coming together to support and rebuild together. Go here to find out how to help: http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/
NY store owner serves neighborhood with whatever he still had in shop as solidarity grows…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/in-the-darkness-a-new-yorker-stands-up-for-his-neighborhood/2012/10/31/87d62852-23a2-11e2-8448-81b1ce7d6978_story.html?hpid=z2
Connection IS possible 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151088104271752&set=a.67150811751.85843.7630216751&type=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GDMiFrHXIQ
“Sandy might have taken away these people’s home, but she couldn’t take away what these people cherish the most.” –ABC News on rescue efforts in New Jersey.
Photos of army officers helping out people in the U.S. East Coast:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/8141231798/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/8141231952/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thenationalguard/8136287487/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaguardpao/8140441335/
Video of the Red Cross helping people through Hurricane Sandy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e62oggyV9k4
Officer Kasprzak Will Be Remembered For Saving Others During Storm
by NYPD on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 3:37am
In the midst of Hurricane Sandy’s peak hours in New York City, off-duty Police Officer Artur Kasprzak, 28, worked to move loved ones to relative safety inside his home on Staten Island.
As flood water surged into the house, Officer Kasprzak was able to get six adults and a 15-month-old boy into his attic to escape the rapidly rising water. Officer Kasprzak then told one of the women he was going to check the basement, but would be right back.
After he did not return, she called 911 to report Officer Kasprzak missing. NYPD Emergency Service and SCUBA units quickly responded, but could not access the home due to down, electrified power lines in the water. A search commenced as soon as the house was safe to enter.
At approximately 7 a.m. Tuesday, Officer Kasprzak’s body was located, unconscious and unresponsive, in the basement. EMTs pronounced him at the scene.
Officer Kasrpzak was assigned to the 1st Precinct in Manhattan and served the City of New York for six years as a police officer. Previously, he served the Department for one year as an NYPD Cadet, and had been assigned to the 122 Pct. Detective Squad.
We offer condolences and prayers for Police Officer Kasprzak’s family and all those who are suffering losses as a result of the storm, and extended deep appreciation for those working selflessly to help others. They and Artur will never be forgotten.
Source: http://www.facebook.com/notes/nypd/officer-kasprzak-will-be-remembered-for-saving-others-during-storm/378108682265920
Photo of Officer Kasprzak: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=378116695598452&set=a.266793953397394.63499.262068223869967&type=3&theater
Hospital staff heroics in critical conditions:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/30/us-storm-sandy-hospitals-idUSBRE89T1NV20121030
We all in one boat!
http://news.yahoo.com/levee-breaks-northern-jersey-floods-three-towns-100432845.html
http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/3894/20121030/hurricane-sandy-pictures-new-york-city-shocking-flood-photos.htm#page1
From a Red Cross Shelter in Branchburg, New Jersey: “This is big, these people have lost everything. But we’ll take care of them.”
[From NJ.com post: http://www.nj.com/somerset/index.ssf/2012/10/hurricane_sandy_rvcc_branchbur.html%5D
As we look for what could possibly be good in all of this devastation, we will discover that it is the joy of helping others, the inner warmth and closeness that this brings. And, as we learn how to treat each other as one big, but loving, global family, there won’t be any need for such disasters. We’ll be in balance with Nature, in complete harmony and perfection. Can’t wait!
Sending a video clip “Victims reflect on disaster”
http://video.ca.msn.com/watch/video/sandy-victims-reflect-on-disaster/17yunxgdv
Sending you further articles and pictures;
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2012/10/watching-hurricane-sandy-ignoring-climate-change.html
A couple of weeks ago, Munich Re, one of the world’s largest reinsurance firms, issued a study titled “Severe Weather in North America.” According to the press release that accompanied the report, “Nowhere in the world is the rising number of natural catastrophes more evident than in North America.” The number of what Munich Re refers to as “weather-related loss events,” and what the rest of us would probably call weather-related disasters, has quintupled over the last three decades. While many factors have contributed to this trend, including an increase in the number of people living in flood-prone areas, the report identified global warming as one of the major culprits: “Climate change particularly affects formation of heat-waves, droughts, intense precipitation events, and in the long run most probably also tropical cyclone intensity.”
416 × 234 – Citizen helping filling sand bags.
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/121027103226-sandy-maryland-c1-main.jpg
abc.net.au
340 × 453 – Residents fill sandbags as Hurricane Sandy
http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4338272-3×4-340×453.jpg
Time to unite for good – learn to live with one another …We do not need further catastrophe to understand it and do it for good. I send you some articles containing pictures and video. Thoughts & prayers for All.
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mco6hkOAKT1qat9xfo1_500.jpg
As Hurricane Sandy approaches the city, New Yorkers gathered in Times Square to send our politicians and the media a message:
End the climate silence. Connect the dots between extreme weather and climate change.
Twin City volunteers head to East Coast • Crane dangles from NYC high-rise, …
pantagraph.com
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/pantagraph.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/fd/7fd096f2-2176-11e2-b220-0019bb2963f4/508df4a721287.preview-620.jpg
darkroom.baltimoresun.com
760 × 506 – People bag sand for sandbags asHurricane Sandy approaches in the
http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AFPGetty-154874353-760×506.jpg
news.nationalpost.com
620 × 465 – Hurricane Sandy preparations 2012 New York
http://nationalpostnews.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/hurricane-sandy-2012-new-york-sunday.jpg?w=620&h=465
Customers and staff ride out Hurricane Sandy together by candle light at the Greenwich Village restaurant French Roast in New York, October 30, 2012. New York Power Company Consolidated Edison Inc. said that it had shut off power to part of Lower Manhattan to protect electrical equipment and to allow for quicker restoration after Hurricane Sandy passes.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/York+City+skyline+without+power+video/7468934/story.html
It’s inspiring to see everyone coming together in support for the people that are going through this catastrophic event, even politicians: huff.to/TQhe2k (eventhough they might have a different agenda, they are promoting unity nonetheless). On the other hand, it is unfortunate that we only seek to really connect and unite with each other when an event like this happens. Hopefully we will see more organizations like Mutual Responsibility promoting a real change of values in our society in order to build a better world by rising above our differences, promote mutual responsibility and come together as a human race to fix the great problems we are facing today.
Preparations bring them together:
http://abcnews.go.com/images/US/gty_hurricane_sandy_14_sandbag_wall_jt_121028_wblog.jpg