Manhattan Goes Dark: See the Stunning Photos of NY Under Water

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Power outage seen on October 29, 2012 in Manhattan, New York. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the Mid-Atlantic area of the United States, is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City bus, subway and commuter rail services as of Sunday evening. (Credit: Getty Images)
(TheBlaze/AP) — Much of New York was plunged into darkness Monday by a superstorm that overflowed the city’s historic waterfront, flooded the financial district and subway tunnels and cut power to nearly a million people.
The city had shut its mass transit system, schools, the stock exchange and Broadway and ordered hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to leave home to get out of the way of the superstorm Sandy as it zeroed in on the nation’s largest city.
Residents spent much of the day trying to salvage normal routines, jogging and snapping pictures of the water while officials warned the worst of the storm had not hit.
By evening, a record 13-foot storm surge was threatening Manhattan’s southern tip, howling winds had sent a crane hanging from a high-rise, and utilities deliberately darkened part of downtown Manhattan to avoid storm damage.
Water lapped over the seawall in Battery Park City, flooding rail yards, subway tracks, tunnels and roads. Rescue workers floated bright orange rafts down flooded downtown streets, while police officers rolled slowly down the street with loudspeakers telling people to go home.
Here are some of the phenomenal photos that have emerged so far:

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 29: People take photographs in flood water in the Meatpacking District on October 29, 2012 in Manhattan, New York. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the Mid-Atlantic area of the United States, is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City bus, subway and commuter rail services as of Sunday evening. (Credit: Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Power outage seen on October 29, 2012 in Manhattan, New York. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the Mid-Atlantic area of the United States, is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City bus, subway and commuter rail services as of Sunday evening. (Credit: Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Rising water, caused by Hurricane Sandy, rushes into a subterranian parking garage on October 29, 2012, in the Financial District of New York, United States. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening. (Credit: Getty Images)
“Now it’s really turning into something,” said Brian Damianakes, taking shelter in an ATM vestibule and watching a trash can blow down the street in Battery Park.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday night that the surge was expected to recede by midnight, after exceeding an original expectation of 11 feet.
“The worst of the weather has come,” he said. He said New Yorkers were inundating the 911 system and getting stranded in cars, and urged people to stay put until the storm passed.
“You have to stay wherever you are. Let me repeat that. You have to stay wherever you are,” he said.
Shortly after the massive storm made landfall in southern New Jersey, Consolidated Edison cut power deliberately to about 6,500 customers in downtown Manhattan to avert further damage. Then, huge swaths of the city went dark, losing power to 250,000 customers in Manhattan, Con Ed spokesman Chris Olert said.
New York University’s hospital lost backup power, Bloomberg said.
Another 1 million customers lost power earlier Monday in New York City, the northern suburbs and coastal Long Island, where floodwaters swamped cars, downed trees and put neighborhoods under water.
The storm had only killed one New York City resident by Monday night, a man who died when a tree fell on his home in the Flushing section of Queens.
The rains and howling winds, some believed to reach more than 95 mph, left a crane hanging off a luxury high-rise in midtown Manhattan, causing the evacuation of hundreds from a posh hotel and other buildings. Inspectors were climbing 74 flights of stairs to examine the crane hanging from the $1.5 billion.
Here are some additional photos, some of which, as Business Insider notes, have not been confirmed as authentic at this point:
The facade of a four-story Manhattan building in the Chelsea neighborhood crumbled and collapsed suddenly, leaving the lights, couches, cabinets and desks inside visible from the street. No one was hurt, although some of the falling debris hit a car.
On coastal Long Island, floodwaters swamped cars, downed trees and put neighborhoods under water as beachfronts and fishing villages bore the brunt of the storm. A police car was lost rescuing 14 people from the popular resort Fire Island.
The city shut all three of its airports, its subways, schools, stock exchanges, Broadway theaters and closed several bridges and tunnels throughout the day as the weather worsened.
On Long Island, floodwaters had begun to deluge some low-lying towns and nearly 150,000 customers had lost power. Cars floated along the streets of Long Beach and flooding consumed several blocks south of the bay, residents said.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, holding a news conference on Long Island where the lights flickered and his mike went in and out, said most of the National Guards deployed to the New York City area would go to Long Island.
“Long Island has become more and more vulnerable and the primary area of our concentration,” he said.
The center the storm, a combination of Sandy, a wintry system from the West and cold air streaming from the Arctic, threatened to knock out the underground network of power, phone and high-speed Internet lines that are the lifeblood of America’s financial capital.
In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.
























































































































Comments (176)
Inexiledan
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:23amWhat you do not see are the reports of the out of control crime. As Trilo pointed out, they mock those who prepare. My guess is the typical city dweller is not remotely prepared, food, water and “GASP”, self protection. Maybe people can call for help with their Obama phone.
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anthonyebaker
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:35amI like that Obama Phone comment….
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ohiowordguy
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:13am@ Anthony:
Witness the comments of former SCOTUS justice John Paul Stevens:
“One thing that I thought about from time to time is that maybe you have some kind of constitutional right to have a cell phone with a predialed 911 number at your bedside, and that might provide you with a little better protection than a gun, which you’re not used to using.â€
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TickleMyPickle
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:28am@ Inexiledan …. you owe me a new keyboard after spitting my coffee through my nose. i hope you feel good about yourself now. Obama phone….omg….i’m going to laugh about that for the rest of the day.
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stevetherealist
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:34amAnything to take a shot at the President…pathedic. I suppose a fine U.S. citizen like yourself would rather just look away then help anyone…and your what makes America great?. ….gag
ScreaminEagle
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:06amHeard Glenn Beck talk about the funky smells in NY. Scruba dub dub, maybe this should happen more often. All clean and fresh now.
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gordo3di
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:08amYou are so right. I live right in Brooklyn (we are here right now) and we were very lucky. No problems. The people here don’t prepare at all. All they buy is beer, chips and liquor. If this really went downhill this area would fall into anarchy real fast. Heck, people loot on a normal Monday night so I can only imagine how crazy it would get without power and police control.
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dscheerer
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:11amOh, Steve, lighten up. Why don’t you worry more about why it’s called an Obama phone? Besides, it was a joke about Obama phones, not Obama.
Also, I would be willing to bet that you are one of those people who laugh at us who make sure we are prepared for any type of situation, aren’t you?
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stevetherealist
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:18amYour powers of perception have failed you again. I’m a NYer now living in Florida for the past 30 years. I’ve been through Andrew, Ike, Katrina, and every other named storm that headed this way. I do not find anything humorous about it.
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KGAZ
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:01pmWhen seconds count, police are just minutes away. I’d rather be packin my gun than an Obama phone. :) It’s called an Obama phone, because that’s what the kool-aid drinkers call it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpAOwJvTOio
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crazedbanshee
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:42pm@Steve Sounds like you are a bitter old man that has not learned how to use humor to deal with adversity. INEX is also making a good point about preparation and things that matter and don’t matter when adversity does hit. Keep being bitter if you want and continue to choke on your own attitude. I also find it funny that you “suppose” and then don’t even catch on that they are using their “powers of perception” to mock your supposition.
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jcldwl
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:57pm@ steve You are a NYer now living in Florida for the past 30 years. Hmmm…not much of a NYer are you. Kinda looks like you fled NY for the sunny state of no state income tax Florida. But of course I am sure you are not a liberal who wants to impose more taxes on people who make this country work. After all you fled the high taxation nanny state of NY. Perhaps you are just a hypocrite.
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muffythetuffy
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:01pmTHEY ARE PRACTICING FOR ELECTION NIGHT IN NOVEMBER WHEN OBAMA LOOSESl
Guns are not allowed in NYC because of Mayor Bloomberg. No COPS either. You are at the mercy of ACORN, BLACK PANTHERS and TRYVON MARTIN style HOODIES. White women in NYC better wear loose fitting clothing so their skin is not bruised when their clothing is torn off by the Hoodies.
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XdemXrepub
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:16pmI’m thinkin’ ole Steve the Obama defender, moved to Florida from New York for the same reason Rush Limbaugh left.
No Property Tax.
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Stoneez
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:44pmIf your “Steve the REALIST” you would realize it’s the President who is truly pathetic. Pipe down snowbird
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ktmrider1
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:20pmobama instructed the people who need help to use the internet, aaaaaaah, I ahhhh, you didnt build that!
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mwilk999
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:39pmI love this comment, especially abou the Obama phone. Funniest ever but true. Mayve if enough people have phone protection, they’ll see how useless it is and the Second Amendment is the answer.
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Pigpen
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:21amOh no! You mean there is coastal flooding and black-outs during a tropical storm? No friggin’ way! Hey, I hear there is a blizzard inland! You know, that place that IS NOT New York or Los Angeles? You know, that place you jerks refer to as “Elvis Country”? Any chance we can hear about the friggin’ blizzard? You know, instead of JUST hearing about the richies’ sailboats and beach homes getting some water damage?
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dscheerer
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:20amYou know the story…..it’s all about those who experiences the most devastation. NYC was no way prepared for something like this, and they don’t know how to deal with it……..result? Devastation. You people in “Elvis country” aren’t totally ignorant when it comes to a weather situation, and are better able to handle a power outage, etc.
The softies in NYC don’t know how act or react when their electronic devices go dead.
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TAXEVERYONE
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:55amI agree, it is always about NYC.
At least this should wash some of the filth away.
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goahead.makemyday
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:53pmDon’t forget how they can’t function without their seasonal fall pumpkin spice lattes. Between losing their mobile devices and their lattes there might be a mass influx of suicide, since they won’t know what to live for.
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SolitudeBliss
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:16amNot to be insensitive but why does the song ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ play in my head?
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kalli
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:36amMy first thought was The Zoo, but on second thought, Escape from Nu Yawk is probably more apropos.
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lel2007
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:13amSandy could ‘create’ a million jobs …..
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Salamander
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:21amSnorkle-ready!
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cmoursler
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:05am@salamander…. snorkel ready! *snort still laughing.
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spikebu
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:06amYeah. Somebody is going to have to retrieve the lost information.
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spikebu
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:10amOr maybe not?
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kindling
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:09amI fear for their health after all this, it reminds me of Europe in the 1400s and all the diseases that sweep through when there is decay, dirty water, and filth. Glenn and the others that moved to Texas got out just in time.
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PatriotType
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:56pm..or eliminate a million jobs. Just in time for Fridays jobs report. Sweeeeet
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lel2007
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:11amNew York city wasn’t short of rats before Sandy, I wonder where they went …..
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Bardic
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:08amCleanest the city has ever been.
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poorrichard09
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:01am@LEL2007: I heard the rats caught the last flight to Chicago-so they could be with King Rat Rham!
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LoneRanger26
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:16pmInteresting, and thought-provoking, comment.
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right-wing-waco
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:57pmAhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I think the whole thing is……………………… Bushes fault.
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1state2stateRedstateBluestate
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:27pmYou beat me to it!!!
:)
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TRILO
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:57pmAnd they mock and scorn those who prepare. All of us have taken modern society for granted as we always assume the power will be on when ever we flip the switch. Mother Nature always has a way to bring us back to reality.
I hope that people do not lose their life during this storm. Let this be a warning to everyone that the world can change in a flash. As the Boy Scouts moto says, always be prepared.
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KevINtampa
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:24amYeah, like mocking those people that thought preparing meant to make sure their ipads were fully charged in case the power went out…
If the shiznat did hit the fan, at least they would be able to order supplies through their amazon app with overnight delivery! Sigh.
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AmericanPatriot
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:18amI live in the Pacific Northwest. We’re used to 50 to 80 mph winds, days and even weeks of monsoon-like rains (only a lot colder), days with no power and highways blocked by downed trees so there’s no way to go anywhere. Luckily, people here are proud of their self-reliance, yet always willing to help a neighbor and we DO get, keep and stay prepared.
Along with you, I hope people stay safe and maybe even reach out to help one another through this. Not to get political, but maybe they can start healing some of the divisions that have been caused. God’s blessing on those affected by this storm.
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goahead.makemyday
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:59pmSame here in North FL, I can’t really say much about Central and South FL. But here in N FL we’re used to the rivers overflowing and 6+ ft storm surge during a tropical storm.
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no1jyd
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:49pmRemember this bunch of BS? http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=I0tuAJkbUWU
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bonesiii
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:31amIndeed, I was thinking about that earlier today. I wonder if God intended this timing, to remind a lot of voters of what O presented himself as… and the reality: he’s just a guy.
And does anyone remember the “Land Hurricane”? The weather has been just weird during his term. Fascinating.
Of course, it’s probably Bush’s fault.
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JerryNic
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:39pmSpeaking of rats…
No, not the political ones. What happens to the real rats in New York? Really. where do they go? Drown? To higher floors? I dunno.
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auntmoxie.com
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:50pmThey can hold their breath for hours. I once had one come up the toilet while I was sitting on it. No joke.
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ScottG-CO
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:06amAuntM- it’s not a solid pipe or column of water coming up from the sewer- it’s just the J trap -the water in the bowel- otherwise it’s smelly, but breathable.
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JerryNic
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:08amEwwwwww. Thanks for sharing Aunt Moxie. I never knew that. I was hoping this storm might relieve the long tailed scourge of Manhattan.
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AmericanPatriot
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:24amNorway rats. Had one drive my cats insane one really wet winter in California. Couldn’t figure out what they were after at the toilet until I peeked under the lid. Scared me half to death! My plumber friend told me all about them. YIKES!!!
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Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:10amI know rats can swim, but a-lot of the vermin will drown if they do not get to higher ground, I imagine quite a few will end up in peoples houses and other buildings.
When the flood water recedes, subway workers and maintenance personnel just might have their hands full removing dead rodents for a while.
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TelepromoterNChief
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:38pmIt would be great if that water freezes over in New York like I that movie “Weekend At Bernie’s.”
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Anna Fallaxis
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:28pmHaving gone through a nor’easter on Long Island I can tell you that every car you see in that SALT water is now totaled. I watched mine float away in ’92. Two days later it was so rusted the doors would barely open. It was scrap metal.
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:15amNow, if hey would actually scrap them, instead of auctioning them off and shipping them to other states to be sold at auctions, which is illegal, but is still done. Beware of buying a used car, especially a few weeks to a few months after a disaster. These cars should be reported as scrap and have a scrap title on them, but it doesn’t always happen.
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Salamander
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:22amAuction material!
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Mr.Fitnah
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:26pmHope every one voted early.
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k8ti
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:56amThe one good thing though is there are more people who are so passionate to get Obama out that they would still go vote on November 6th come rain, snow, or ice. It’s not the same for Obama’s supporters.
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Female
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:07amMichelle warned them to vote early because of problems….so, no excuses.
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possom
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:19pmMother natures solution to the OWS stench!
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goahead.makemyday
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:04pmI was just wondering about the OWS. At least this will help remove some of the crap(literal and metaphorical) from the area.
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Spinmamma
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:19pmThis is a terrible tragedy with untold damage and disruption. Pray for all souls in harm’s way.
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PonderingTruth
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:51pmThis is truly a terrible tragedy for people no matter their beliefs or politics. May God have mercy on this nation and in particular these people living through this nightmare.
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yerffej
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:19pmAnd it would be very wise to remember who is Really in charge.
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SUNTZU
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:38pmOBAMA
sorry I couldnt help myself
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PonderingTruth
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:53pmThat is the truth. The sooner people realize the power of God and turn back to Him, the sooner we can begin to heal as a nation.
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Wes Hardin
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:57pmChaos is in charge.
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crusaderx9
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:15pmLiberals aren’t concerned about an Iranian Nuke warming the planet – but somehow the modern Western lifestyle causes bad weather in their twisted prism of reality and 200-300 years of modern weather tracking…
They should probably read Revelations rather than their own lies about man made global cooling, warming, climate change, blah blah blah…
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TSUNAMI_22
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:12pmNow that the city is evacuated I wish someone would push the lever already and watch this cesspool circle the drain.
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docfix
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:16amYou’re a real Jack@$$.
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TSUNAMI_22
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:53am@ docfix
You meant to say Jackass.
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DeathRattle
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:06pmGod will not be mocked, this nation will suffer for turning it’s collective back to Him.
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chrisden
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:45pmI think there are a lot of wonderful individuals in this country with a deep faith in God. They don’t make the headlines, but they are all around you.
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Pigpen
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:07am@CHRISDEN Are any of these individuals in New York City?
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CMDR6
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:49amYour collective is not my collective. God is not turning His back on us, “we” (the other people?) are turning their backs on Him. “WE” (those that believe) are in no danger from Him unless one chooses to follow and remain integrated with the “we” (non-followers). He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”, hang in there brothers and sisters.
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Wes Hardin
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:00pmThat’s too funny. There are 191 countries and over 7 billion people. There are zillions of planets and life forms. But the only thing in the whole universe that God gives a rat’s behind about is America? Such a belief is insane.
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crusaderx9
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:01pmEverything is fine New York –
Bloomberg has saved you from the 17 ounce Dr Pepper…
However, putting energy into cleaning up the city in snowstorms, or trash pick up, or not preparing NY for a slow motion storm that arrived after a week of notice – those are not his focus points. But rest assured, Bloomberg is high and dry – dining well with a 2 Litre bottle of Orange Fanta at his side, wearing mink slippers and a rich man’s house robe – waiting out the weather in comfort with an annoying press conference every so often…
Night, night…
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CheckinginfromBoston
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:26amAnd he’s also ensured that you don’t have rights when you’re in the city. Another reason I won’t go anywhere near it.
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pitboss711
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 10:58pmBloomberg is trying to outlaw large quantities of rain.
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puravida56
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 10:52pmMy best wishes to those still in NYC. Mother nature can be one mean b—-
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GBD
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 10:49pmSamuel 12:17
I will call upon the LORD to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the LORD when you asked for a king.”
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Wingnut1800
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:51pmGreat comment. God is in charge.
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auntmoxie.com
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:52pmWow, is that a harbinger or what?
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R.A. Bullseye
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:26amAmen.
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TSUNAMI_22
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:26amGreat post.
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puravida56
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:23amAbsolutely ridiculous. Its a storm not a mythical figure throwing a tantrum because some of the people aren’t following his rules ( which include things like “Deuteronomy 25:11-12
If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity.”)
Thank goodness for modern science. By giving a weeks notice, Gods plan of death was greatly diminished. The almighty was thwarted by the mighty Al Roker.
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Pantloadian
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:33amAnd the drought shall be a blessing.
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The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 10:48pmMeanwhile, terrorist moles have come out of their safe houses and are hard at work planting devices.
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Shellback
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:35amNow that is thinking outside of the box. Good point.
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Watermain
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 10:46pmJust when you think NYC couldn’t possibly get any worse it’s flooded. Good to not be anywhere near there.
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KGditto
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 10:43pmmust be…global warming….er ‘climate change’.
Actually it was probably a couple local kids who crashed a boat into the beaver damn
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Whirligig
Posted on October 29, 2012 at 11:02pmTwo days before the day after tomorrow…oh my God, that’s today!
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Fla.Patriot
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:47amShut up Kyle! Lol
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