Aftermath of Monster Storm -- Did Our Wildlife Survive?

I and the residents of the Upper East Side of Manhattan are extremely fortunate, considering the hit our city has taken over the past day from hurricane Sandy. 

At least 10 people dead, the lower part of Manhattan without power. Subways flooded and God only knows how many people lost their homes.  The devastation is unimaginable.

Virtually, everything is shut down.  Stores, bridges, tunnels, businesses and schools closed.  No transit running. All city parks closed until further notice.

Almost a million people are without power in New York City.

I am of course praying Wiggly, Honker, Little Brad and all the other birds and wildlife of Central Park survived.  But I won't know anything until I can get to Harlem Mere and the Boat Lake again. 

For sure, it had to be a very rough couple of days for the wildlife of our city parks.

If I am optimistic about anything, it is that the neighborhoods surrounding Central Park did not suffer the crushing damages of other locations throughout New York.   Hurricane Sandy did not produce that much rain in this area.   However the winds sometime gusted more than 60 MPH.

Sidewalks and streets are covered in leaves, fallen tree branches, debris and twigs.  But, surprisingly, all the trees in this neighborhood, (including newly planted small trees) remain standing.

I am cautiously optimistic, (but again, not sure) that most, if not all of the ducks and geese in Central Park made it through -- as it appears, almost all of the trees did.

It was wise that Central Park took the precaution of lowering water levels in most of the park's watercourses.

Apparently, the East River overflowed on parts of the FDR drive and water gushed as far inland as York Avenue.

Hopefully, the lower water levels in Central Park helped to prevent ponds and lakes from overflowing banks and causing destruction to plant and animal life. 

The reason parks are closed today is so that workers can assess any damages, conduct clean-ups and assure park safety.

I am reasonably confident (but again not sure) that Central Park will reopen tomorrow.

I cannot wait to get back to seek out and hopefully find our precious little animal friends again.

Wiggly, Honker, Little Brad and pals, we have not forgotten about you.  -- PCA

                                                              

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