VOA慢速英语2012 IN THE NEWS - Eastern United States Struggles to Recover from Huge Storm

 

IN THE NEWS - Eastern United States Struggles to Recover from Huge Storm

From VOA Learning English, this is IN THE NEWS in Special English.

This week, a huge storm named Sandy brought death and destruction to Caribbean countries and the eastern United States. Sandy started as a tropical storm in the Caribbean, where it left at least sixty five people dead.

Sandy’s next target was the eastern United States. The storm caused damage up and down the coast, from North Carolina to Maine. There were damage estimates of up to fifty billion dollars.

American officials have blamed Sandy for at least ninety deaths. Police say at least fifty-nine of the victims were in New Jersey¹ and New York. The number will most likely increase as rescue workers find more bodies.

Recovery efforts are continuing in the affected² areas. On Thursday, more than five million people were without electricity, mostly in New Jersey and New York. On Friday, New York’s main power company said it hopes to return power throughout Manhattan island by Saturday.

The storm also affected telephone service. As a result, many New Yorkers witnessed a rare event -- people standing³ in line to use pay phones on the street.

Those with phone or Internet service used websites like Twitter and Facebook to share how they were dealing⁴ with the storm, both good and bad. Some government agencies used Twitter to keep people informed on the storm and recovery efforts.

New Jersey appeared to suffer the most damage. Workers in Hoboken are pumping millions of liters of polluted water from the city’s streets. Tens of thousands of people lost their homes and belongings⁵ in coastal⁶ areas of the state.

Widespread fuel shortages are reported in both New Jersey and New York. Some people waited for hours in hopes of being able to buy gasoline. The long lines increased tensions and led to fights. Some gas stations refused to open without police protection. One driver, Betty Bethea, explains.

"It's terrible. You can't even get there. The police have blocked everything off. You cannot get no gas. Everywhere I went the police said 'no gas.'"

The storm forced New York City to close its popular subway system. Many underground areas were flooded and have not been cleared of water. On Thursday, the subway re-opened with limited service. But it could be weeks before all the trains are running again.

The storm also closed the New York Stock Exchange for two days.

President Obama ordered the military to assist with the recovery efforts. He approved disaster declarations for New York and New Jersey, freeing up federal aid to help with property damage.

"My instructions to the federal agencies has been: do not figure out why we can't do something, I want you to figure out how we do something. I want you to cut through red tape, I want you to cut through bureaucracy. There's no excuse for inaction at this point."

The president suspended his election campaign for part of this week so that he could deal with Sandy. He has been urging federal agencies to do everything possible to help the storm victims. 

This week, Mr. Obama went to New Jersey to witness the damage. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a supporter of candidate Mitt⁷ Romney, praised Mr. Obama for his efforts.

On Tuesday, Mr. Romney changed one of his campaign events to raise money for victims of Sandy. He also suspended campaign events and has urged Americans to help with the recovery effort.

"I appreciate your generosity⁸, it is part of the American spirit, the American way to give to people who are in need."

The presidential race continues to be close. It is not clear if or how Sandy will influence the vote.

1 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

2 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

3 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

4 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

5 belongings   

n.私人物品，私人财物

参考例句：

• I put a few personal belongings in a bag.我把几件私人物品装进包中。
• Your personal belongings are not dutiable.个人物品不用纳税。

6 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

7 mitt   

n.棒球手套，拳击手套，无指手套；vt.铐住，握手

参考例句：

• I gave him a baseball mitt for his birthday.为祝贺他的生日，我送给他一只棒球手套。
• Tom squeezed a mitt and a glove into the bag.汤姆把棒球手套和手套都塞进袋子里。

8 generosity   

n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为

参考例句：

• We should match their generosity with our own.我们应该像他们一样慷慨大方。
• We adore them for their generosity.我们钦佩他们的慷慨。