Power restored in parts of Long Beach

A week after Hurricane Sandy destroyed or severely damaged homes and the boardwalk, eroded the beaches and rendered the city’s power, water and sewer services useless, there was a glimmer of hope on Tuesday, after power was restored to some parts of the city.

“Riverside to Neptune between Park Avenue and Broadway all have power,” Bridget Gillespie wrote on the Herald’s Facebook page.

“200 and 300 East Beech [Street] restored!” added Michael Scuderi.

City officials announced on Tuesday that the Long Island Power Authority, under pressure from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and local and state officials, has begun to restore power in some areas of Long Beach.

“LIPA has begun restoring power to some areas in Long Beach; the City is still demanding a timeline for completion and that LIPA crews work around the clock until power has returned to every single home,” the city announced on its website.

City spokesman Gordon Tepper said that parts of the city that had more serious flooding, such as the Canals and West End, may take more time as LIPA works to restore power to the entire city.

“The West End and Canals are going to be problematic,” Tepper said. “But [LIPA] has been given the authority to turn power on wherever they can.”

The city is advising residents to keep their main circuit breakers turned off, saying that it will expedite the return of power to the city.

“If you’re in an area where there was water damage, you have to be extra careful,” Tepper said. “But they’re working around the clock. We just hope everyday that LIPA keeps restoring more and more and we won’t be satisfied until every home has power restored.”

Additionally, the city said that some traffic lights are now working, and representatives from National Grid are going door-to-door providing gas restoration information. The city’s sewer system is fully operational, the city said, and clean drinking water has been tested and is awaiting County Health Department approval.