News


Woodlawn residents irate over lack of gas following Hurricane Sandy

Tensions are high as Irish community struggles to restore normality and frustration takes hold


Queues for gas in Woodlawn continue after Hurricane Sandy has hindered the delivery of fuel
Queues for gas in Woodlawn continue after Hurricane Sandy has hindered the delivery of fuel
Photo by Kelly Donohue

Guinness PubFinder Ad

The line ceased from what was a mile long line to a couple of dozen cars who remained in line in hopes of another delivery coming soon.

Other customers were forced to go elsewhere, but their options were slim as no other gas stations in the area had gas or power.

Following the announcement, the avenue became alive with more frustrated people. People stood outside in their pyjamas talking and bickering.

Angelico's Bakery on Katonah was full, all morning and all day, with customers anticipating fuel stopping in for coffee and a pastry. Workers said that it had just been mayhem all week. The bakery even ran out of bagels and some baked goods- the shelves were cleared.

The deli next door also said that they had not stopped all week. The store usually closes between 11pm and 1am, but they were forced to stay open to accommodate motorists throughout the night.

After just over an hour, the savior truck arrived to the Hess station on Katonah, much to the delight of customers in car and on foot who decided to wait on line.

Within no time, the line was backed up all the way around to Van Cortland.

Cops from the 47th Precinct monitored the area on Friday afternoon- directing traffic, and cars to the pumps.

A police officer from the 47th Precinct described customers as being ''agitated and frustrated." "I don't blame them, it shouldn't be this way because the harbors are closed. People need to get to work, people have stuff to do, they need gas. People have been waiting hours, and there has been some scuffles between drivers."

"There is no limit to the amount of gasoline but the price has increased due to demand."

Allison Traynor, a local resident waited in line for over an hour, only to see the pumps run dry when she got there. "It ran out as I got to the pumps, so I left."

After leaving the station, more gas arrived so she decided to return, this time to fill up cans.

"I ended up leaving again, I spoke to a man who had been waiting two hours and twenty five minutes so I decided I'd do without!"

On Friday evening the news came that the Sunoco gas station on McLean Avenue would be getting a fuel delivery, so the line began at the Sunoco stretching down Katonah Avenue in the opposite direction of the line for the Hess gas station.

People were taking to Facebook to let others know which stations were up and running with gas and how long the queues were.

At time of print on Sunday night most of the local stations in the Irish area were back in business and the queues were down to about an hour.


Nster.com


Comment

Be the first to make a comment.





Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account


or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password
Not a member? Register Now!
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail