And Now for the Real Devastation

The brunt of the storm hits bluntly, the aftermath a far sharper edge.  Out east on Long Island there is little gasoline to be had, making generators and the heat and power they provide thirsty. Both the desperate and the cynical are out and about taking what they need and want in certain parts of the island.  The cold is coming but we can warm each other...

"The Red Hook Initiative (www.rhicenter.org) is collecting MUCH NEEDED supplies for families in Red Hook affected by the storm. Please drop off the following items - tomorrow, Thursday Nov 1st at the PS 29 schoolyard (Kane Street between Henry & Clinton):

water, toilet paper, paper towels, wipes in small packages, diapers, band-aids, flashlights (ideally loaded with batteries), batteries, aluminum foil, matches, plastic bags"

More on HOW TO HELP

Top Stories from NY1

More about REDHOOK

A note to SURFERS

Some more for SURFERS - Surfrider is aggregating helpful stuff on their Facebook page

And keep up on your STUDIES!

Free packaged meals and drinking water will be given away at Distribution Centers in affected areas. Supplies will be distributed by members of the National Guard.

Distribution Centers will open:

* Thursday, Nov. 1 from 3:00pm - 6:00pm

* Friday, Nov. 2 from 7:30am - 12:30pm

* Saturday, Nov. 3 and Sunday, Nov. 4 from 9:00am - 1:00pm

We ask that you bring a bag of your own to carry food and water. Supplies are limited, so please use this service only if you reside in an affected area and have limited resources due to the hurricane. You can also call 311 for information about other distribution locations around the City.

QUEENS

Rockaways

* Conch Playground - 51st Street and Rockaway Beach Blvd.

* Hammel Playground - 84th Street and Rockaway Beach

* Redfern Houses Playground - Redfern Avenue and Beach 12th Street

Astoria

* Hallets Cove - Vernon Blvd. and 30th Road

BROOKLYN

Coney Island

* Surf Avenue Playground - West 25th Street and Surf Avenue

Red Hook

* Coffey Park - 85 Richards Street

MANHATTAN

Chelsea

* Chelsea Park - West 27th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues

Chinatown

* Confucious Plaza - Central Plaza on Division Street

Lower East Side

* Vladeck Playground - East 10th Street between Avenues C & D

* Al Smith Playground - Catherine Street between Cherry and Monroe Streets

* Hamilton Fish - Pitt Street and East Houston Street

* Grand Street Settlement - Corner of Stanton and Pitt Sts. (water only)

STATEN ISLAND

New Dorp

* Parking Lot - Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane

Tottenville

* Corner of Yetman and Hylan Blvd