Super storm slams into Bellmore-Merrick

Updated 3:10 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2010

High winds with gusts up to 75 miles per hour sent a multi-story oak tree crashing into the home of 16-year-old Nick Attanasio of Seneca Drive North in Merrick on Saturday.

Fortunately for Attanasio, who was at home when the tree started to teeter, Merrick Fire Department volunteers were nearby responding to a call for burning wires. Firefighters Colin Bennett, James Santiago and Mike Gargan noticed that the tree was about to topple, rushed to the home and got Attanasio out before it came down shortly after, according to fire officials.

On Sunday, Attanasio met with his saviors for a picture in front of his devastated home. He was, no doubt, grateful.

It was one story among many when a powerful nor’easter slammed into the Bellmore-Merrick area Saturday into Sunday, buffeting the community with heavy rains and fierce winds that snapped dozens of trees in half or uprooted them from the ground.

This "super storm" also sent electric lines flying about like fishing lines. A power transformer on Montauk Avenue in Merrick reportedly blew up. White sparks could be seen hurtling through the air from blocks away.

Widespread power outages were reported throughout the Bellmore-Merrick area. On Monday, Levy-Lakeside Elementary School in Merrick was closed because it not yet had power restored. It was the only school in the area to close after the storm, though others, like Gunther Elementary in North Bellmore, reported that they had lost power for a time over the weekend.

Local fire departments responded to hundreds of calls. By Monday, the Merrick F.D. alone had responded to more than 120 calls.

Numerous homes were damaged. In many cases, the wind ripped siding and roofing shingles off houses, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Local contractors and tree services were pushed to the limit in responding to calls over the weekend.