Morocco World News
Morocco World News
New York, Oct 31, 2012
The Moroccan community living in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut made it through the super storm Sandy unharmed, and did not suffer any fatalities. But like other communities, many Moroccans deplored damages in their properties, especially in lower Manhattan, Long Island, Stamford, Connecticut and New Jersey. Moroccans living in Astoria, Queens in New York City, were luckier than their compatriots living in other parts of the city, especially those living in lower Manhattan and Long Island, which bore the brunt of the storm.
“We are lucky to see that the storm did not hit our area. I was even surprised that we did not lose power and internet, while millions in the area remained in the dark since Monday night. I was bracing for the worse, but thank God we made it through without damages and without fatalities,” said Yassine Skh, a student living in Astoria.
Moroccans living in the East Coast were caught by fear and panic as the storm was approaching their area.
“My roommate and I survived by miracle. The storm luckily did not cause harm here where we live. We did not lose electricity, however the storm was extremely scary towards the few hours when it was hammering New York and New Jersey,” Saoussane Rifai, a Fullbright Scholar living in New York told Morocco World News.
“The flood was only 3 streets away. We could not sleep all night as trees were falling. We are thankful to God that we made it through a tough situation. While we did survive this hurricane, we were equally shocked and heartbroken afterwards to see the amount of devastation in neighboring boroughs,” she added.
Moroccans all over the world were holding their breath since Sunday night as they were receiving alarming news about the seriousness of the storm that was due to hit the East Cost of the United States. As images and videos of the damage wreck by the storm were circulating on TV’s and social media, Moroccans were worried lest their friends or relatives will be harmed by the storm.
“I was really worried about my family and friends who live in the East Coast because I’ve heard the hurricane was going to hit very hard this year,” Marwa Talal, a journalist from Rabat told MWN.
“I used to live in DC and I’ve experienced such storms. I checked on everyone and thank god they are all alright,” she added.
The fear grew stronger on Monday night after the storm surge hit New York and New Jersey, leaving more than three million people without power, hence without any means of communication with their friends and relatives.
Messages such as “stay safe,” “our hearts are with you,” “our prayers go out to you,” “may God help you get through this unharmed,” poured into the walls and inbox of Moroccans living in the East Coast of the United States.
“I was worried especially when I saw some photos from Atlantic City and the destructed infrastructures in NY even before the storm. I was checking if some of my friends were still online and I tried to ask them to stay safe and keep me updated,” said Amine Moutaouassit, from the Moroccan city of Settat.
While the Moroccan community in the affected areas is weathering the effects of the storm, much work remains to be done in both New York and New Jersey to rescue victims and to restore power and transportation after the significant Sandy devastation.
According to ABC US news, the storm that hit New York on Monday is the worst ever in the city’s history, since it was founded in 1642.
The storm, which left New York’s subway system in shambles, claimed the lives of 48 people. Many of the victims were killed by falling trees.
