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  • November 1, 2012 | 9:15 AM ET

    Gas and Coffee...

    Hi everyone

    My husband made an observation yesterday that New Yorkers are obsessed with two things right now:  finding a good cup of coffee and gasoline which we are quickly running out of.   I laughed a little, but am quickly losing a lot of my sense of humor with all of the devastation I am seeing on the news and witnessing first hand.

    For the first time since Sunday I went home to see a very different neighborhood than the one I left just 4 days ago.   Every other street was blocked with yellow tape, traffic lights were dead, power lines hanging or dropped to the ground and huge trees that used to provide a beautiful backdrop to our homes, now crushing rooftops.  Debris and branches everywhere.  My husband and I took our kids to a few neighbors to go trick or treating, and there were a few other families doing the same.   But I’m not going to lie – it was depressing.  Thankfully my kids seemed to be unaware of what was going on, and were happy to see other children outside in their costumes after being cooped up indoors for the last 3 days.  I smiled at the other parents but could see how tired and worried they were – trying to cover up their fear and fatigue to try and give their kids an hour or two of fun and a little candy.

    I realize I am one of the lucky ones.  We had very little damage to our house.  We don’t have electricity, and probably won’t for weeks…but some of our friends, family and colleagues don’t have homes today.  Some have lost loved ones from this storm. 

    You can tell people are at their wits end.  Tempers flair quickly and I find myself very close to tears with a constant lump in my throat.    There have been a few times that I’ve been on air and had to try to hold it together as I deliver a forecast after seeing pictures of homes destroyed or families weeping.    I’m trying to keep my spirits up for work and at home, but it’s getting hard.   We are literally taking life hour by hour.  I don’t know what we’re going to do tonight.   I hope I can get home again with lines of traffic, and commutes that are taking several hours instead of minutes.   My 3 year old,  Matthew came into my room last night in the dark saying “Mama, I’m cold.”  I picked him up and hugged him, angry with myself that I didn’t have him in my bed from the beginning of the night to keep him warm.  My husband was in the other room with my son Theodore doing the same.   I left flashlights in the hallway before going to work because I was scared someone might fall or bump into a wall.   Everyday chores like cooking, doing laundry, washing dishes or taking a shower take a backseat to just “survival” –  keeping warm and making sure the kids are at least well-fed and clean.

    Friends and family have been trying to get in touch, try to offer support and words of comfort.  Phone lines are sporadic at best, so that has also been frustrating.  When I’m at work, I feel tremendous guilt that I am not home taking care of my family.   Last night when I was rocking Theodore to sleep I just prayed that things get a little easier for everyone.   I prayed that before someone snaps or gets angry at another person, they stop – take a breath and just be nice.  Is it so hard for all of us to be good to one another?   If there was ever a time that we needed a little love and compassion for each other it’s now.  

    For all of you on the blog, thank you for your kindness and words of support.  We’ll get through this, and someday I’ll be able to tell my kids how we lived through Hurricane Sandy – one of the most destructive storms this country has ever seen.  But it’s going to take time..  

    Be good to others today.  A smile of support or a hug of compassion.  A little goes a long way when we all need a little help us get through the day.  Hour by hour.  Minute by minute.

    JD

    Janice Dean
    Meteorologist

    Tags
    Weather

RSS Subscribe to Comments

Margie Gacki

Hey Joni! I've been coughing like crazy today. I've had this dopey cold since Monday. At least my voice is better today. I went a couple days where I could hardly talk so that's getting better. I have a sinus headache right now so that's not good. I'm going to go to bed soon so I can get some rest. This weather isn't helping things. Hopefully we'll see a little sun tomorrow. Hey to everyone else out there! Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Margie

November 3, 2012 at 10:24 pm
(1 Reply)

joni

Hi Margie...hope you are feeling better!!! OO

November 3, 2012 at 7:41 pm

Margie Gacki

Too bad the spammers didn't lose power during the storm. Hey to all the regular bloggers out there. I figured I'd post something before the clock runs out on this thread tomorrow morning. At least the spammers won't be able to post anything. It's another cold, cloudy and windy day here in Cumberland. I can't remember the last time the sun shined brightly. We've had little peeks of sun this past week but that's it. I hope everyone has a great weekend. I'm trying to get over a cold. Margie

November 3, 2012 at 12:16 pm

alpinekid62

good

November 3, 2012 at 10:39 am

PJ

Hi all didn't want the spam to be first. Hope all are well and safe. Have a great weekend all. PJ

November 2, 2012 at 10:12 pm

Joni

Hey JD... totally agree with your outrage on Bloomberg move to press on with the NYC marathon. I am hopeful you might encourage your co-worker, Anna Kooiman to boycott the race herself. If all the runners opted to 'do the right thing' Bloomberg might get the big picture!! All the runners should bring work clothes and help the people of NYC!!!

November 2, 2012 at 3:42 pm

Suzie Worsfold

Wow, is all I can say with the words that you write. We take so much for granted in our lives. I pray that you and your family stay safe and endure the journey that has been put before you with God close by to help you through. We just never know what others are going through and need to be thankful for what we have. Blessings to you and all those around you.

November 2, 2012 at 3:09 pm

Joni

Oh JD.. big hugs to you and your family and friends at Fox. I have been watching Fox non stop and have seen those moments when you became emotional... which in turn did the same to me as I condsider you, and all the regulars on the blog friends! Stay strong... and keep praying as all of of are praying along with you! We love you... know that each day all of the regulars on this blog are with you!! XO take care! Joni

November 1, 2012 at 7:28 pm

ingrid

Hi Janice, My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. This is definately the time to come together and help each other. Also, my thoughts and prayers to the whole Fox family. The Anchors and the Crews who are all affected by this storm.

November 1, 2012 at 6:19 pm

DoloresFromOK

WOW!! I really don't know what to say.I am sadden by all the events of the last few days.I have family in southern New York,they are fine,got lots of wind and rain.Prayers for all that have lost loved ones and property.We in OK expeirenced this kind of devistation on May 3,1999.The area looked like a war zone.But with help from God and friends and family,the city of Moore,OK rebuilt.ait took a long time,people were without electricity for weeks.God help those in need and keep them safe.Dolores

November 1, 2012 at 5:31 pm

BGinTX.

Good afternoon Janice. Just to repeat what all your friendly blogger family have said this afternoon. Hope God will continue to give you the strength and power to get through this terrible storm that you are experiencing. Everyone will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.

November 1, 2012 at 5:30 pm

A.J. De Young

JD, I am like Audrey after reading your blog filled with love for you and tears reading about how life is in your world now and that your little ones are experiencing this awful storm results..I pray your power will be restored in a short time so you can try and get your lives back on tract,..I have been telling bloggers you looked so beautiful this week and younger, one would never have known the stress and fear you were dealing with, you are a inspiration to all and God Bless you all.AJ

November 1, 2012 at 3:32 pm

George Spink

In spite of earthquakes now and then, the weather in Southern California is usually quite beautiful. But I often think of the thunderstorms and snowfalls I grew up with in Chicago. Our family home, built in 1886 in suburban Berwyn and still standing, has endured well over the years, thanks especially to how well the current owner has taken care of it. It looks like the houses I've seen on TV on the East Coast. I wish all the best to everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy.

November 1, 2012 at 2:01 pm

Audrey from Indiana

Janice, your blog this a.m. brought tears to my eyes. You are a real professional on your job inspite of all that is going on "inside" you with your family and circumstances surrounding you. My prayer is that God will provide you with a measure of strength during these difficult days. May He also give patience to all as they await to have electricity turned on and "normal" back in their lives. Blessings on you and your family as you do your job at Fox, and care for your family's needs. Audrey

November 1, 2012 at 1:39 pm

CAROL ABRAHAM

A BIG "TEXAS SIZED HUG" FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you on the east coast. Your ability to bring us the weather considering the stress you and others at Fox are facing is ADMIRABLE! Thanks and "hats off" to all of you for a job well done covering this nightmarish storm.

November 1, 2012 at 1:25 pm
(1 Reply)

Beth M.

Hang in there, Janice! You have done/are doing a wonderful job for Fox covering Sandy--both before and since the storm, and you are a great Mom (everyone who reads your blog knows how much you love your kids!). Stay strong...

November 1, 2012 at 1:18 pm

Jim K

We can all watch this unfold on TV, but it really strikes close to home, when reading Janice's report. The storm pretty much missed us all together, so it is us that are the lucky ones. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers and I sincerely hope that you all have the strength to fight back one day at a time and cherish the little daily victories. It won't be easy, but stay strong. It will get better and we are with you in thought.

November 1, 2012 at 12:08 pm

JB in Texas

JD, My prayers and good thoughts go to you, your family and all those affected by Sandy's wrath. You are either a remarkably strong lady or a great actress(probably both but mostly the former) because watching you on television, one would have no idea you were in such straits due to the storm. I hope your lives can return to normal as soon as possible and people can keep cool heads dealing with the problems. JB

November 1, 2012 at 11:57 am

Barbara Kelley

Hi, Janice - greetings from Cox Media Group-Houston. I miss working with you and hope that you, your family, friends and co-workers are faring as well as can be expected. I'm sure you've used some of your experience from Houston hurricanes up there. Stay warm and safe.

November 1, 2012 at 11:53 am

DoninRichmond

The damage we see on TV is mind boggling. We lucked out here. My one son in NJ got his power back but he is sleeping at Newark Airport to fix any United planes so others can go home. My other son in NJ doesn't expect to get power until the 6th. Janice, my thought and prayers are with you and your family and the families of the 75 people killed

November 1, 2012 at 11:00 am

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  • Cold fronts, snowstorms, hurricanes, and sunshine. Fox News Channel meteorologist Janice Dean blogs about it all here. You can also follow Janice on Twitter.

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