Broken Hoboken in Slow Recovery From Storm

Storm waters in Hoboken, straight across the Hudson river from Manhattan, have flooded the city, then drained, leaving only wreckage in its wake.

Published

8 months ago

Categories

US

Topics

United States

Places

United States of America, New Jersey, Hoboken

Transcript

SCRIPT: Generators and water pumps make a constant din in Hoboken, New Jersey. Days after Sandy swamped the city, they're still drying out. Nico's restaurant flooded with three feet of water during the storm. It could be many more days before it's ready to reopen. SOUNDBITE 1 Nico Percontino (man), Restaurant manager (English, 18 sec): "We’re looking to see FEMA, hopefully helps out with small businesses like ours and we’re just praying, constantly moving. Pick up one thing, pick up two things and hopefully we’ll be seeing things get back to normal." Even with friends and customers pitching in with the clean-up, Nico estimates his losses at up to $60,000. And a gas shortage means when his generator runs out, he'll have to wait in line for hours to buy more. Grocery stores and pharmacies are running low on supplies, and everyone in the city is starving for electricity. The people want their power back. Without phones or TVs, the only way to get repair updates is in person -- at City Hall. SOUNDBITE 2 Dawn Zimmer (woman), Mayor of Hoboken (English, 10 sec): "At this time I can’t give an estimate. I’m gonna refrain from giving an estimate. It’s going to be shorter than the 7 to 10 days, that they originally put out." This church has power and heat, attracting quite a flock of those in need. SOUNDBITE 3 Robert Meyer (man), Hoboken pastor (English, 14 sec): “The people that are a trying to get access to communication. They’re loading their telephones, smartphone, computers and then underneath at the lower level, there are 45 people that are completely out of homes because they have been flooded.” Hoboken is directly across the river from Manhattan, and many residents spend their days there at work. Most face another night of darkness at home. SOUNDBITE 4 Victoria (woman), Hoboken commuter (English, 6 sec): “I think I’m gonna go out to family in New Jersey, where they have generators and escape Hoboken for a little bit.” For those who stay, the only thing to do is wait, and light a candle as the skyline of New York twinkles across the night sky. SHOTLIST: HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - shot of water pumps on the street of Hoboken - shot of residents cleaning up - shot of a flooded yard - shot of a restaurant with garbage out front, with Nico walking by - shot of flooded refrigerators SOUNDBITE 1 – Nico Percontino - shot of people arranging bottles - shot of the entry to the bar storage - shot of workers in front - shot of the flooded basement door - shot of Nico in front, bringing out garbage - shot of a line at the pharmacy - shot of a pharmacian talking to a customer - various shots of Hoboken citizens at a press conference by the mayor SOUNDBITE 2 – Dawn Zimmer - shot of people recharging their cellphones at a church - shot of the interior of the church SOUNDBITE 3 – Robert Meyer, Hoboken pastor - shot of a ferry returning from Manhattan - shot of commuters disembarking from the ferry SOUNDBITE 4 – Victoria, Hoboken commuter - shot of people walking away from the ferry - shot of luxury apartment building without power - interior shot of apartment, with commuter sitting by candlelight, watching computer - shot of the Manhattan skyline at night ----------