Post Irene Vlog 8/30: Storm Damage in Suffolk County

After turning down the (or was it ?) North Fork Ripoff bus to Riverhead, I took the S59 to the S62 to Riverhead. There were still power outages in Lake Grove with lights out by 347, though the Smith Haven Mall had power. There was more problems in Port Jeff, as a power outage caused LIRR gates to get stuck, the S62 had to detour in back of the shopping center, then down Hallock Rd (25A) bypassing the station area. Fortunately Tanger had power, but it had to be a quick lunch as the annoying bennies invaded the place in full force. On the way to Ridge on the S58 there was a LIPA Pole ready to fall at a 45 degree angle on Rt.25 in Calverton, and with power in the area, it was live. I still hadnt seen any LIPA truck at this time. Radio station WBLI was doing an excellent job discussing the frustrations of many LIPA customers who remain in the dark. In Ridge by Lake Panamoka I didnt see much damage, the pines were standing strong! Unfortunately their only weakness is this Pine Beetle, which is affecting some pines. I need to let someone know about it because those trees need to be removed before it spreads to other trees. On the way to Smithtown on the S58 there was another leaning LIPA pole with live wires on Rt.25 in Selden, with SCPD closing off 2 lanes e/b. There was a HUGE mess in Centereach with Rt.25 closed off and detoured going e/b because a tractor trailer clipped some low hanging LIPA wires by Pathmark, bringing down poles and wires across the e/b side of Rt …