I survived Sandy!

While other people were huddling inside for safety as Hurricane Sandy howled her presence outside, I was visiting the White House.

When the Monster Storm hit the East Coast of the United States, a “once in a long time storm” according to New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, I had been in the country’s capital, on a Press trip, for just two days.

Our schedule thrown completely off course, with two days completely cancelled, our contingent of 135 journalists from 90 different countries, found ourselves hotel-bound, given warnings to stay inside by trip organisers, hotel staff and even the UAE embassy.

For the whole long day on Monday, we converged in the hotel lobby, sitting, talking, watching news footage and reassuring friends and family on Facebook and Twitter we were alive and well.

But by evening, some with cabin fever had begun to venture out.

Following our journalistic impulses, myself and another colleague decided to see the extent of Sandy ourselves, en route to one of the country’s most important landmarks. Admittedly I felt a little scared, but I wanted to go outside and check what was happening.

Dressed for the blistery conditions, unlike those I have ever experienced before, we took a taxi to Capitol Hill. My taxi driver gave me a questioning look, curious about why we had come out. I asked him why he was working. He said he had the radio switched on, and was staying in areas close to his house, so if the worst happened he could get back home quickly.

At the White House there were cops stationed in every corner, and two young guys remained in a tent which has been standing on the sidewalk adjacent the President’s residence for 31 years.

But the streets were empty apart from the presence of emergency services. We walked back about midnight, seeing seven police cars and two taxis the entire walk home.

As of Tuesday morning, while I wander outside The Mayfair Hotel, I can see barely any signs of the storm that has been transmitted to viewers across the globe. There is very little flooding, and though the streets are still quiet, private cars are starting to reappear, while bus tour companies, supermarkets and restaurants are once again operational.

A heavy police presence remains, and the city feels very safe. People caught outside have been invited in by those inside nearby buildings.

While safety is foremost in everyone’s minds — the first thing everyone is talking about is Sandy — the election is still a major talking point and likely to remain so as the hurricane recovery begins.

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com