Commercial Buildings Collapse in Storm Winds
Not everyone got through Tuesday night’s severe storm unscathed. With winds gusting up to 70 mph, the front portions of at least two commercial buildings on Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway, collapsed on the night of January 9. The collapsed closed portions of the sidewalk and at least six small businesses.
A pile of bricks, metal and signage were strewn about on the sidewalk on Mott Avenue, with caution tape keeping people from the dangerous scene, as seen in photos posted by Lisa George of Senator James Sanders’ office on Wednesday. Several small businesses were impacted including salons, Images and the Unisex Beauty Salon, the El Shaddai store and money transfer services, among others. Fortunately, no one was injured.
As we were going to press, Rockaway East Merchant Association for United Synergy (REMA4US) was in the process of setting up a GoFundMe to raise money for the impacted business owners and local elected officials were looking into ways to offer assistance.