On Saturday, New York City faced a significant cleanup challenge following the storm’s remnants from Hurricane Debby. The Parks Department reported over 500 downed tree incidents citywide, with Queens being the hardest hit, tallying 216 service requests. The Bronx and Brooklyn also experienced substantial damage. Crews worked tirelessly to address the extensive damage, focusing on areas like 103rd Street and Christie Avenue in Queens. There, a fallen tree caused a chain reaction, damaging power lines and creating hazardous conditions.

Challenges with Power Restoration and Safety Concerns

Massano, a long-time resident of the area, reported difficulties with Con Edison’s response. Despite his home not losing power, he was concerned about live wires and attempted to alert Con Edison. “I was hoping they’d come and shut the power off or do something about it, but Con Ed, I know they were busy,” Massano said. His concerns about live wires were met with automated responses that did not address the immediate dangers.

Con Edison advised residents to treat downed wires as live and to call 911 for safety concerns. Despite this, residents like William Narvaez faced close calls. Narvaez had to move a man sleeping on the sidewalk moments before a rotting tree fell, narrowly avoiding a disaster. He reflected, “There is always a reason you are in some places … I can’t even imagine that.”

Impact on Local Businesses and Power Outages

In the Bronx, the storm caused significant power disruptions. On East 234th Street, strong winds toppled a large tree, which brought down power lines and caused sparks. Aleck McEwan described the scene: “Strong winds were coming through. You heard the tree fall, caught one of the power lines, a bunch of explosions, and lights immediately went off.” The return of sunshine provided some relief, but the heat was uncomfortable for those without air conditioning. McEwan’s comment on the situation was a mix of relief and discomfort: “If you open the window and let the breeze in… But it’s hot. Yeah, we’re sweating.” Local businesses also felt the impact. Bella Napoli on East 240th faced an unusual dinner rush due to power outages at their nearby location. Staff managed to move perishable goods to ensure the restaurant could continue operations.

Ongoing Power Restoration Efforts

Con Edison reported approximately 4,200 power outages citywide since Friday, with most restored by Saturday evening. At the storm’s peak, around 14,000 Con Ed customers in Westchester County were without power. By Saturday night, about 100 Con Ed customers still faced outages. Other utility companies like JCP&L, PSEG Long Island, Rockland, and Orange counties also reported ongoing outages.

As cleanup and restoration efforts continue, NYC residents are faced with the challenges of recovery while reflecting on the widespread damage caused by the storm’s remnants.