Patricia Ageheim from Chez Moi [135 Atlantic Avenue] tells BHB that all profits from Monday’s (11/5) service will be donated to The Red Hook Initiative. They’ll be open from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Read more about Sandy Relief efforts and how you can help here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51248

As previously reported, the Iris Cafe is using its empty storefront at 71 Atlantic Avenue to collect much needed items for hurricane relief in Red Hook. Mrs. Fink stopped by today along with Homer and Baby Fink to drop off some items. As mentioned in a few comments here today, the effort is in dire need of ready to eat food – things that don’t need to be reheated and that can be opened without a can opener.

Tweets by @rhookinitiative

Items are piling up for Red Hook hurricane relief

Megakudos to all who are volunteering there and throughout the city today.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51178

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/50958

And that’s because sometimes You DO need Somebody…

This just in from Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Facebook page about Jane’s Carousel, which was photographed last night surrounded by water (photo: Jen Carlson/Gothamist):

This just in from Jane Walentas: The horses are fine!

The wooden Carousel & horses as well as the building, are all fine. Unfortunately, however, The basement that houses all the electronics was totally flooded- 5ft. of water. As soon as we can pump it out we ‘ll assess the damage. We’re optimistic that the Carousel will be fine, but it will probably take some time to get it fully restored to happily prancing again.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/50576

This just in from Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Facebook page about Jane’s Carousel, which was photographed last night surrounded by water (photo: Jen Carlson/Gothamist):

This just in from Jane Walentas: The horses are fine! The wooden Carousel & horses as well as the building, are all fine. Unfortunately, the basement that houses all the electronics was totally flooded, with 5 feet of water. As soon as we can pump it out we’ll assess the damage. We’re optimistic that the Carousel will be fine, but it will probably take some time to get it fully restored to happily prancing again.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/50576

Our man in the NYS Senate, Daniel Squadron just released this dispatch to his constituency which includes Brooklyn Heights. Includes some very useful information:

Dear Friend:

I hope that you and your family are doing ok in the aftermath of the storm.

It’s going to be days and weeks until things are back to normal in parts of our city. In the meantime, it’s important to stay safe and make sure you’re prepared for the possibility of extended power outages, vastly reduced transit services, and overtaxed city services.

If you’re without power:
The entirety of the Manhattan side of our district and some constituents in Brooklyn seem to be without power. Report power outages on ConEd’s website or by calling 1-800-752-6633.
ConEd is working to restore power, but it’s expected to take up to four days. If you can safely move to a friend’s or family member’s home with power, it makes sense to do so.
If you need to travel:
MTA bus service will resume at 5PM today on a limited schedule, with additional restorations tomorrow. There will be no fares on the buses for the time being.
It is very likely that it will be days, if not longer, until transit service is fully restored due to flooding in subway tunnels. Stay tuned to mta.info for updates.
Yellow cabs are temporarily allowed to pick up multiple passengers at multiple stops, and livery cars can temporarily pick up street hails.
Most bridges and tunnels are beginning to reopen. The Hugh L. Carey Battery Tunnel, the Midtown Tunnel, and Rockaway bridges remain closed.
If your home sustained damage:
You can apply for disaster assistance here.
If you have other needs:
Please reach out to 311. Phone wait times are long so online or text (311692) is your best bet.
Unless it’s a real emergency, please do not call 911, which has been overloaded since yesterday.
If you want to volunteer:
Most evacuation shelters need volunteers today for eight hour shifts and, in some cases, clothing donations. You can find the closest shelter to you here, and reach out to find out what they need.
Email nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov with your name, email address, and borough to volunteer in the coming days.
You can also visit the Red Cross’ website to volunteer.
Please keep these things in mind:
It is still safest to stay inside; there are downed and potentially-downed wires and trees, and emergency crews need to do their jobs. Please check in on elderly and other neighbors who might need a hand.
NYC public schools will be closed again tomorrow, Wednesday.
If you have water coming out of your faucet, it is safe to drink. My office has been surveying the needs of large buildings in Lower Manhattan impacted by the storm, and confirmed that Smith Houses, La Guardia Houses, Seward Park Extension, Confucius Plaza, Seward Park Co-Op, and 80 Rutgers Slip Senior Housing, among others, are currently experiencing problems with water or pumps.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter and Facebook for more frequent updates. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if I can be helpful.

Thanks,

Daniel

Daniel Squadron
State Senator
25th Senate District

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/50574

Jane’s Carousel surrounded by water and many other Tweets and observations of Sandy’s wrath upon Brooklyn are part of the Brooklyn Bugle’s Tale of the Tweets. Updated all day, check it out here. Also check out Homer’s Tour Video diary of the storm which will be updated regularly today, too. (Photo via @dumbonyc)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/50427

BHB regular commenter/voice of reason “Hoppy” notes in our Hurricane Irene Open Thread that taping your windows to prevent breakage seems silly. Well according to the premiere urban fable busting site Snopes.com, he’s right. It’s total bull.

Snopes writes:

Contrary to popular belief (and a frantic rise in the sales of these items before a hurricane hits), taping a home’s windows with masking or duct tape does nothing to protect them. The windows will still break, with the tape doing nothing to impede the process. It’s questionable that either sealant will even keep broken glass from dispersing, says the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH).

They add that plywood is pretty useless too.

And as far as lighting candles instead of cursing the darkness:

One last caution: If you stay in your home during a hurricane and the power goes out, do not light candles or gas or oil lanterns because of the potential for gas leaks from storm-damaged lines. Instead, use only flashlights or battery-powered lanterns during and after a storm until power is safely restored and all gas lines are checked.

NOAA’s Hurricane preparedness site agrees. Check it out here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/50194