You would think that Atlantic City already had enough problems on its own, but after Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the casino town, unleashing its fury unlike anything anyone’s seen since the “Ash Wednesday Storm” of 1962, it’s time to paint a real picture on the state of events in the gambling destination.
Shit just got real.
Hurricane Sandy made landfall in Atlantic City at around 8 pm Monday night and from there, it wrapped itself and laid waste to the AC. The torrential downpour and the howling winds of more than 80 miles per hour were soon followed by surging waters of the ocean crashing into the streets and dismantling pieces of the world famous Boardwalk. While all this was happening, all the casinos remained eerily quiet, bereft of the usual hustle and bustle and replaced with anxious silence and straight out fear on what’s going on outside.
Thomas Foley, the city’s chief of emergency management, has seen a lot in his time in Atlantic City. But never had he experienced anything like Hurricane Sandy. Talking to the New York Times, Foley didn’t hide the real state of the gambling destination. “The city is under siege,” he said.
“Sandy is pretty furious at Atlantic City. She must have lost a bet or something. As we say in our slogan, ‘Do A.C.’ She’s doing A.C., all right.”
Sarcasm aside, it’s become painfully clear that Atlantic City is in serious, serious trouble. Officials have told the New York Times that around 70% to 80% of the city is underwater with some streets being rendered impassable due to waters reaching 8 feet deep. Even worse is the looming reality that the city could remain closed for days on end. Nobody’s going to enter Atlantic City, and for those trapped inside, nobody’s going to be able to leave anytime soon.
On the orders of Governor Chris Christie, the city’s 12 casinos were closed as of 4 pm last Sunday, one of the few times in the past 34 years that state’s gambling mecca was shut down. Toni Rodio, president of the Tropicana Casino and Resort, was just as stunned as everybody else by the devastating wrath unleashed by Hurricane Sandy. “I’ve been working here 32 years and never saw the water this high,” he said.
With the devastation still on going, there’s no telling how much damage Hurricane Sandy will hammer down on Atlantic City. The city is already in shambles and the casinos have been muted. But the worst part is the fury of this Frankenstorm is still far from finished.
On our end, we’re praying for the safety of everyone in Atlantic City and hope that the destruction caused by this historic superstore is kept at a minimum.
Stay dry and be safe, fellas. We’re rooting for ya.
