Officially categorized as a “post-tropical cyclone,” Hurricane Sandy is now being referred to as “Super Storm Sandy.” And with good reason. Even before the storm hit, early reports forecasted a devastating, “unprecedented” storm. Landfall coincided with lunar high tides and fierce winds caused storm surges that brought the sea crashing through homes, businesses and infrastructure.
In New Jersey high winds and driving rain brought down trees, crushing homes and cars, blocking roads, and cutting off millions from power. Sewage treatment plants lost power or were damaged and are still leaking tainted water back into the ground.
In New York City flooding was so bad that tunnels filled with seawater and huge swaths of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and the Bronx are still without power. The streets of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn are covered in the sickly sheen of oil. Estimated damages for the storm vary widely, but most agree the financial losses will be measured in the tens of billions of dollars. The death toll is still rising as National Guard, FEMA, and the Red Cross struggle to bring food and fresh water to the millions of people without power.
Most bridges have reopened, but some roadways remain closed with massive damage. The DOT has already offered $13 million in emergency funds to New York and Rhode Island, the only two states to request transportation funding so far. That number will almost certainly go up when New Jersey, the worst hit state, has finally restored power and can get a good handle on how much repair needs to be done.
As the roads begin to clear and aid continues to flood in, truckers will have the opportunity to show their true value. Owner operators and small fleets have already started donating their time hauling much needed supplies into the most heavily impacted areas. Aside from those doing work for free, some companies are already being contracted to bring in supplies in a volume and with a speed that can only be accomplished through trucking.
In an attempt to get the aid flowing faster, any trucks carrying emergency supplies to areas affected by Sandy will be exempt from certain FMCSA regulations like the HOS rule. Remember that this only applies if you’re carrying “Emergency Materials.”
Industry analyst FTR estimated that the trucking industry will lose $140 million per day as a result of Sandy, but they emphasize that these are short-term losses. With the amount of rebuilding that will be done and the massive influx of materials that will be needed, trucking companies can expect to make up that loss in the near future.
“While some fleets will surely lose revenue during the initial phases of the latest disaster, storms like Sandy create new demand later,” explained FTR senior consultant Noel Perry. “Retail outlets need immediate resupply that only trucking’s time-sensitive character can accommodate. Plus storm damage needs to be fixed. That creates longer term additional freight tonnage. While the storm is devastating to many, the trucking industry will see mostly positive effects.”
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Did sandy took care of the jersey shore people?
People that are against and dislike trucker will surely need us now and we as people will put there stereotyping aside and gadly help them I hope they realize how much the need us to make the world go round and help them back up in this time of need
Ooh yes they need us now…. but once this is all over those people will be back to the same crap trying to make parking illegal or impose heavy fines or hike the tolls on us. I say don’t donate crap for time and make them pay through the nose for anything the same way they do us.
Randy,
It is your choice to donate your time, or not. The rest of your comment is just mean-spirited and serves no positive purpose. I feel for those caught in the jaws of Sandy. I hope those who are in a position to help will put the “us vs. them” mentality aside and do so. The effects of the storm damage have certainly affected the families of truckers living in the region, so your attitude serves to hurt members of the trucking community, along with everyone else.
Comments like that,is what gives truckers a bad name,we are Americans and we should help Americans, not sit around and remember getting slapped in the face, truckers can gain ground with this, people need us now,what do you think if we turn out backs on them now?
Going to pick up a load going to brooklyn (water) tomorrow, I hope they wave the bridge tolls, on that note I hope the hov restrictions do not apply to trucks carrying emergency supplies
Thanks for the story, sending positive energy to all those effected by this storm.
The story mentioned owner operators & small fleets helping out.
I hope the large fleets, the ones who truly have extra resources to offer will step up and show their support & professionalism.
Wow so basically i am the a-hole when it comes to supply and demand? Do you think any of the truck stops out there are donating fuel for the truckers who are helping…..bet they are charging a premium, do you think if you blow a tire for hitting debry in the road they are going to donate a tire…. nope if anything full price and then some, are these states going to waive the tolls for trucks hauling emergency goods? Possibly, but no mention of that. Are the states going to waive our road usage tax ( even though its pennies on the dollar)? I do feel sorry for the people on the east coast cause i do have family out there. Well Floyd you ask what would people think if we turned our backs on them now?? Hopefully don’t smack the hands of the people who feed and cloth your ass.
I was in a similiar situation with USA truck…my trainer told me that if I gave him a BJ…then I could be off of his truck in record time…I chose to get off the truck…I never reported it…but should have…I was afraid another company would not pick me up if I filed a complaint…I think this happens more often than is reported…I truly feel for all woman trying to break into the industry…stay strong…and find another company…I had a male trainer with Werner and he never ever made a sexual comment…Three years later…I am glad I stuck with it…Don’t give up…but don’t put up with the sexual harrassment…move on…and show those men…that you have more balls than they could ever have
Charlene i think you meant to post on the other story. At the same i hate that drivers especially trainers pull this crap on females.
For what it’s worth, we’ve seen a pretty dramatic spike in the amount of FTL freight traveling to affected areas – bottled water and generators are obviously in high demand. As an aside, a lot of restaurants have their prep areas / food storage in the basement, which means most, if not all, of their perishables are now underwater. It’ll be interesting to see whether there is a spike in reefer loads once the restaurants recover from the flooding.
-Matt
(My comments represent my own opinion and not those of my employer.)
And what about the female trainers? That one old lady had three diseases that the doctors can’t even identify. Surely the female trainers have better things to do in there time. I mean honestly just because I am half your age gives no reason to touch downstairs.
I have a dream that one day all trainees will be treated equally. I also want them to find a cure for HSV. Surely we can put enough donations together and workout a cure and solve this problem one donation at a time.
i took a load to to the bottom of staten island nj on the morning of the storm from maryland ther was almost no trucks on the highway
Seems odd that since Sandy, the FMCSA, State(s) and Local Goverment Agencies have allowed HOS, Weight and Route violations to occur with there blessings. Just goes to show you that “OUR” Goverment will do whatever they want whenever they want!!! But try and get them to make sensible regulations “Good LUCK” Here’s one more think you can take to the bank… WHEN this is all over they will be the first to tell you you cannot park there, or idle your truck to stay warm if needed.