Massapequa Improving, But Skip Halloween

Massapequa began showing some signs of life Tuesday afternoon after taking it on the chin from Hurricane Sandy. But not enough life for trick or treating.

Less than 24 hours after a storm surge savaged coastal areas south of Merrick Road, the waters began to pull back.  

While streets in close to the water were still flooded, many roads were passable, provided you could get around downed wires and trees.

But it was easier getting around town.

In Massapequa Park, Mayor James Altadonna said most of the major roads had been cleared, and workers were beginning to clear trees from secondary roads.

But the mayor said workers are not going to be able clear downed wires or trees tangled in downed wires, until LIPA crews come.

As they did in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, Altadonna said he's been having trouble communicating with the utility. 

"We haven't heard from them," Altadonna said Tuesday afternoon, adding that he's called several numbers he's received from LIPA and only reached voice mail.

Kids in the village are going to be disappointed, but the mayor is advising residents not to go out Wednesday for Halloween.

"Children should stay home, there are wires down and with people running generators they can backfeed into wires causing a dangerous situation.

The mayor said that most of the village still was without power, although the IGA in Park Boulevard was up and running.

The traffic light on Clark Boulevard and Lake Shore Drive was the only one operating in the village Altadonna said.

Much of Massapequa was in the same boat, although a stretch of Broadway north of Sunrise Highway appeared to have power.

Most businesses elsewhere were closed, but one exception was Phil and Sons II on Sunrise Highway, they were selling pies, using a generator and planned to do so until they ran out of pizza dough.

"I've got about 20 people ahead of you for pies," co-owner Joe Fischetti told a customer. 

When asked if it was a busy day or a slow day, Fischetti said, "It's a crazy day"

It was a calmer day for residents by the shore.  

"My basement was flooded six feet," said Bill Hanley, of Massapequa, who was enjoying a slice at Phil's.

"You couldn't see my backyard. My parents said it's the worst storm they'v ever seen."

There was still a lot of water on some streets in the Nassau Shores area, and resident Bob Lenaghan said there were some dramatic moments.

"You could see fires in the distance, you could smell fires," he said. The storm did damaged his basement as well, less than a year after he suffered thousands of dollars in damage from Irene.

"It's frustrating"said g neighbor, Josh Seck, who said about 12 feet of water seeped into his house.

"You just watch things floating way. What can you do?"

Seck said he was going to stay with relatives. "We're getting out of here," he said.