Sandy victims pack NYC town hall seeking answers

NEW YORK Hundreds of frustrated Sandy victims - buried under a mountain of debt and debris - packed a forum at a Staten Island school seeking answers about their future, reports CBS Station WCBS.

The town hall meeting, held in an auditorium at New Dorp High School and organized by Borough President James Molinaro, brought together representatives of city government and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

But hundreds of residents were turned away, or forced into adjoining corridors.

WCBS correspondent Emily Smith reports that frustration and tempers were high.

"You're out here blocking us from going in to learn what's going on in the community," one woman said.

"They should've made [people] show ID; there are people in there that were not residents affected by the storm," another man vented.

Many from the hard-hit borough came seeking answers about temporary housing, damage to property, health issues, and what is happening with rebuilding efforts one month after superstorm Sandy struck.

"We have three kids; from December 1 we have no place to go," one woman said.

• Superstorm Sandy delivers heavy blow to U.S. economy
• Four weeks after Sandy, lower Manhattan still hurting
• Sandy survivors victimized again, by looters
• Report: Hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisonings spike post-Sandy

Lisa Porazzo said her home is uninhabitable. "Right now it looks like a big mold pit," she said. "It's devastating to see all of the destruction."

Porazzo got a seat inside the meeting where local, state and federal officials gave brief presentations.

Agencies, including the city's new Rapid Repairs Program, acknowledged frustrations with slow progress.

"We've been waiting for Rapid Repairs. They haven't come yet. We still have no heat. They still haven't inspected my home," one person said.

In New York and New Jersey, more than 335,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.

Governors Andrew Cuomo and Chris Christie are requesting $78.7 billion in federal aid.

• Marine helps vets find work rebuilding after Sandy
• NOLA firefighters return favor to NYC after Sandy
• Cuomo: Sandy damage cost NY $42 billion
• How NYC hospitals met challenges in Sandy's wake

[richardskull]

Dumb Demo's espousing and blaming again. Blame Clinton and the left for the economic crisis that started and melted down because he made us loan money and sell houses to other dumb, irresponsible Dems that had no business and/or ability to buy and/or pay for a house. Zero down, stated income and unqualified homeowners brought this country to it's knee's!!!! Did the financial community exploit these dumb policies? yes, but they where your stupid rules.

[roccotool]

Your Santa Claus president fixed everything! How can you be so ungrateful? He is he great unifier, the Messiah. You people, I tell you what. If you don't learn fast to appreciate this government that you elected -- if you don't learn fast to show your love, devotion, and appreciation -- I shudder to think what's gonna happen. I mean, after all, what more do you want? The president came to see you for a half hour. He pal-ed around with the governor of New Jersey. He told you he was gonna fix it. Don't you realize that's good enough for 53% of the country? Why is it not good enough for you?

[lami987]

America is broke. I feel really sorry for Sandy victims or any disaster victims. But there are only so much FEMA can do. We have the world's most hi-tech weapons, may be thats why we can't help our disaster victims. In fact our hi-tech weapons can't even win fighting no-tech or low-tech weapons of Iraq and Afganistan. We spend more on weapons than most of the world put together but still we want to spend more before we even know whats going on. We must stop that crazy spending spree and start spending domestically. Instead of eliminating FEMA we must strengthen it.

[mollydtt]

It sounds to me like the insurance companies are too slow to pay out the insurance benefits.
If your home is totaled, then the insurance company should give you your check.
Federal flood insurance is cheaper to buy than what it would cost to buy from for-profit insurance companies. It's really worth it.

[Jim1900]

Why should they get a nickel of federal anything? OK, I can see emergency relief aid, but now people expect the federal government to provide them with housing too. How about a car?

We already know that people expect the government to provide jobs too of course.

[farquah]

Would be front page news every night if a Republican was president.

[mdntoil]

Since blaming Obama is racist, then it must be Bush's fault.

[ballwyllo]

WMDMIA,
Thanks for holding up to my expectation of the democrats and their inability to take responsibility for anything. There is so much to love about your comments I don't know where to begin. Thanks for meeting my expectations again.

[ganguandaland]

Welcome to post-hurricane cleanups.

[displeased2]

I wonder if any of these people mocked the whining of the New Orleans residents who were in areas that will never get rebuilt.

[mysteriousjz]

People in America are the most unhappiest people, most whinning ones, and most insecured people on this earth despite soooooooooooo much available for them at their fingertips: They can never be appeased

[mjvwsr]

You got that right

[displeased2]

They take their opportunities, quality of life, and access to inexpensive resources for granted and become spoiled with high expectations. Even though these people are going through hardships, they are still better off than half the world's population. Americans forget just how good they have it.

[Sugarluvit]

Where's the funding for the relief victims of Sandy? Is FEMA and the Prez. Barack Obama abandoned them!