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LIPA Takes Some Areas Off Outage Map, Says Power Can't Be Restored Now

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some areas of Long Island and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens have been taken off the outage map maintained by the Long Island Power Authority, on the grounds that they are too damaged to accept electrical service.

The Rockaways -- which, unlike most of New York City, get their power from LIPA rather than Con Edison – no longer appeared on the outage map as of Monday night, according to a news release.

The peninsula sustained severe damage, beach erosion, and subsequent looting following Superstorm Sandy. One neighborhood, Breezy Point, was also struck by a fire that destroyed 111 homes.

Also removed from the outage map due were the hard-hit barrier island communities of Long Beach, Atlantic Beach and Fire Island.

The reason, LIPA said, was not because their power had been restored, but because it cannot be – at least for now.

"Many homes and businesses in these areas are currently unable to accept electric service due to severe damage caused by the recent storm," LIPA said.

But LIPA said the communities remained a top priority for power restoration.

Meanwhile to the west in Nassau County, more than 200,000 homes and business in Nassau County were without power Monday.

In Seaford, power poles were smashed, wires dangled, and boats slammed into residential homes, pitching many residents and businesses into darkness.

Virginia Connors' home is surrounded by downed trees and power lines. The 84-year-old told CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan that she is trapped but doesn't want to leave because all of her medicine is in her Old Westbury home.

With no heat, no electricity, and no hot water, she said she relies on an old coat to stay warm as temperatures began to dip below freezing.

"I got this at Gimbles years ago," she said.

As the chill encroached, Connors said she decided against turning up the heat.

"I am afraid to use it (the thermostat). I'm afraid the chimney might be clogged up, I don't want to start a fire," she said.

Connors said she has been living on canned cold soup, tuna, Cheerios, and oatmeal and depending on candles and flashlights for light since Sandy struck.

"I have no radio now, my radio went on me. I can't get any of the news, I don't know what time it is. I don't know what time is," she explained.

A freezing cold, but stoic Connors told CBS 2 that she would like the power company to get the power back on as soon as possible.

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