NEW YORK — Two days later a massive water main break in the BronxTenants and business owners along Webster Avenue are still without heat, gas and electricity.
They told CBS News New York on Wednesday that their main concern is no longer what has happened, but what will happen when temperatures drop.
‘I’m trying to save what I can’
The Damage from Monday’s 48-inch water main break variesbut those who live and work in the area have in common a lack of utilities.
Jessica Acea had until 5 p.m. to salvage what she could from the first-floor apartment she shared with her daughter. The construction company helped her clean it up before it was demolished.
“I try to save what I can save. What I can’t save, I throw away with my eyes closed. But other than that I really have nothing. I had a Christmas tree. It’s gone,” says Acea. said.
Angelina Ufomba says she wonders who will reimburse her for days without power – and without customers – at her supermarket, Royal African & Caribbean Foods.
“Someone tried to buy something, I can’t open the cash register,” Ufomba said. ‘This is Christmas. We need to sell and help people who look to us for help.”
OEM and Red Cross have difficulty spreading news about temporary housing
Some residents said they were unaware of temporary housing available to them.
“I don’t have anywhere to go, so I have to pay,” LaShelda Bridgers said, adding when asked if she had been in contact with the Red Cross. “No, I haven’t seen the Red Cross.”
‘No Red Cross. They only gave me a blanket yesterday. That’s it,” Acea said.
The city’s Office of Emergency Management said it is working with the Red Cross to provide housing. However, when contacted by CBS News New York, neither agency could provide details on how they plan to get the message to people who need it.
Con Edison told CBS News New York at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday that Con Edison has brought back 23 of the 333 people who lost electricity service.
“The 310 that are still out of service are due to issues on the customer side. Once the necessary inspections and repairs have been made and it is deemed safe to do so, we will be there to restore service” , a representative said.
Doug Williams
