Local Residents React to Sandy and Its Media Coverage

10/30/2012 (Updated 11:15:02 PM)

The little impact Sandy had on the Binghamton area has left many relieved, especially after what the area when through just over a year ago with Hurricane Irene and the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.

Binghamton resident Bonnie Snapp was stranded at Binghamton University where she works last year during the flood of 2011.

"The weather got me worried and wondering if I was going to get stranded on campus again so I packed an overnight bag.  I was prepared this time, but I managed to get home," said Snapp.

Snapp is one of the many who thought Sandy would be a lot worse than what actually happened in Binghamton.

"I saw everybody running around getting ready.  I was filling up water bottles and went to Walmart and all the bread was bought up.  I guess it was all for no reason since nothing really happened.  I was expecting a lot more than it did," said Johnson City resident Jeremy Maslin.

Some people were left a little annoyed after buying emergency supplies and ended not having to use them.

"Nothing happened.  Like, nothing major.  So I was like, that's stupid," said Binghamton resident Natasha Thompson.  "I was expecting something more drastic, but I'm glad that nothing really did.  I think (the storm) did get hyped up.  It wasn't as serious."

Many viewers across the northeast and some in the Binghamton area felt media hype alarmed people unnecessarily. 

But, the projections of what would happen were right on target for the coastal areas.  In Upstate and in the Southern Tier, the effect were harder to predict but forecasters defend their coverage.

Many were appreciative of the advanced warnings.

"Last time when I got stranded on campus, I didn't even have my medication for my blood sugar. But, I was well prepared this time."

"I don't think its' going to hurt to have extra bottled waters, so I'm glad people didn't have to go through the troubles of flooding again," said Maslin.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Center in Binghamton said it could of been a whole different scenario of Sandy was 100-150 miles further north.

"Of course, anyone who has watched the national news and saw what happened from coastal New England down through New Jersey, and Maryland knows this storm was a really a major, almost once in a lifetime storm for some areas down there, and for here it was just not that bad of a storm," said Science Operations Office at NWS Mike Evans.

Many Binghamton University students from the downstate area said they appreciate the massive coverage because of their concerns with families back home.

BU Freshman Jacob Ponerantz said 4-5 feet of water surrounds his home in Oceanside, Long Island, New York.

"My hometown is pretty messed up. I spoke to my parents last night.  We had about 8 feet of water in our basement so it was to the ceiling... Every time I turned on the news, it was always on.  So, it was nice to see that they're really trying to make sure people understood what was happening," said Ponerantz.

The Southern Tier saw anywhere from .25" of rain up to 3" and wind gusts as high as 67mph according the National Weather Service.


VIEW VIDEO