SA man describes night with Sandy
2012-11-01 08:26
Johannesburg - A South African man living on the US’s East Coast has described how Superstorm Sandy took down large trees in his area and sent the roof tiles flying off of his house.
Paul van Essche, from Eshowe, has been living in Westchester County, 40km north of New York, for almost five years, reported the Daily News.
The management consultant said Sandy had given him the chance to buy “cool stuff” such as a 12m ladder, a chainsaw, emergency food and storm gear.
“The good part about a pending storm is the excuse to get cool stuff you wouldn’t normally buy… I bought a 40-foot [12m] ladder, a chainsaw, a hard hat, some huge tarpaulins, ropes and a bunch of other sundries that helped to max out my Visa card,” said Van Essche.
He said roof tiles started flying off with heavy rains and strong winds and the family decided to sleep in one room on the bottom floor of their house and not in the bedrooms on the upper floor.
Several trees surrounding the property, including one very large one, fell down but luckily just missed his house, Van Essche said.
Van Essche said they were lucky to still have power and phone services and had been able to talk to family and friends.
