Gas rationing and power outages in New York

  • 12 years ago
Gas rationing begins in New York Friday.

Nearly two weeks after Superstorm Sandy hit the U.S. East Coast, New Yorkers are lining up for gas.

Based on license plates ending in odd or even numbers, drivers are allowed to buy gasoline on alternating days.

Tempers have been frayed as gasoline has been in short supply.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) VICTOR VERGARA, NEW YORK RESIDENT, SAYING:

"The fist fight right here. It was like Rocky 7 or something. I was like whoa. This is my second time on line, so..."

On Long Island, more than 161,000 people are still without power.

People are waiting for answers.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BARBARA STEINBERG, LONG ISLAND RESIDENT, SAYING:

"They hang up on you. They don't answer it. I called LIPA (Long Island Power Authority). They said we can't do anything for you. You have to get an inspector. Can't get an inspector. This is the worst thing in my life. I've never had anything like this. It's horrible."

Contractors working in the area struggle to restore power. People continue to ask when the power will come back.

Some contractors simply have signs on their trucks that say "I don't know."