Great write-up Paul. I was lucky enough to be in a part of Brooklyn that was unaffected. The only thing I would add to the discussion is that people should consider getting an amateur radio license. With about 10 hours study time, and the $15 fee for the test, you have access to a communication system that is reliable after all else fails.

There are UHF/VHF repeaters all over the NY/NJ area, so those who were without power and comms were able to communicate with those of us who were still up and running to arrange supply drops, phone out to family members etc.

If nothing else, it provided a degree of comfort to some pretty shell-shocked folks in the immediate aftermath.