Hurricane Sandy Could Displace NYC Rats, Spread Infectious Disease

[Auggie]

huffinttonpost.com

The 8-million-strong human population of New York City is matched, if not exceeded, by the city's number of rodent dwellers. Fortunately, the two populations don't mingle all that often.

But that could change as storm waters from Hurricane Sandy flood rats out of their underground residences, according to Rick Ostfeld of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Milbrook, N.Y.

"Rats are incredibly good swimmers," said Ostfeld. "And they can climb."

In other words, Sandy is unlikely to knock off the resilient rodents, but rather displace them.

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/29/hurricane-sandy-flood-rats-disease-new-york_n_2041474.html?utm_hp_ref=green

Oh boy ...

[DURHAM D]

1. oh yuck

[dsc]

2. So I guess when we say someone looks like a drowned rat

there really is no such thing.

[Kali]

3. trust me

they can drown

[lalalu]

4. NYC has become filthy under Bloomberg's rein.

I haven't seen it this dirty since one of their infamous garbage strikes and it can't be blamed on the unions this time. NYC like many other major cities have cut back on public workers and services.

They concentrate on services to areas that are seen by tourists or more affluent. That never works and actually the rodents have already been spreading throughout the city at epidemic rates. Tourists have come out of high end hotels and seen rats in broad daylight.

I am glad this issue is being raised.

[kestrel91316]

6. Well, on the up side, this will wash away an awful lot of urine and feces and garbage off streets.

[lalalu]

9. I like your positive thinking.

[Barack_America]

10. A New York that doesn't smell like stale urine?

That's not a New York I would recognize.

[thelordofhell]

11. No......it will now smell like the rotting corpses of forgotten people

All the homeless in the underground portions of the city will be drowned.................

[Odin2005]

24. Oh god, I didn't think of that!

[Johnny Noshoes]

21. Well I will say this...

when I opened my window to get a good look at what was going on the air sure smelled great.

[flamingdem]

14. Interesting. This is what the war between the Mayor of Atlantic City and Christie is about

Christie wants a tourist showcase ..

[LeftInTX]

15. My son moved to NYC- Brooklyn - the rats are bad

He says whenever he goes walking at night, he will spot one. He says they eat potted plants etc.

I think the subways are a major haven for them.

[flamingdem]

17. They grew in number due to all the new construction

When I lived there they weren't as bad -- last trip I saw them way too often

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Who will think of the rats?

Sorry, I know it could be serious, but funny.

[Autumn]

18. Only one man. Willard

After all he is a republican and that is a fitting job for him.

[reformist2]

7. Horrible. Imagine returning to your apartment...

..only to find it overrun???

[flamingdem]

13. And they don't even contribute to that high rent!

Um, sometimes I'm glad I moved out of NYC ..

[Viva_La_Revolution]

8. all those people who evacuated to higher floors

will probably have a lot of night time visitors. Ick

[flamingdem]

12. Oh that's right, all the rats! Ohhhhhhh

Rats will take over Times Square

[graywarrior]

16. That totally sucks

[kelliekat44]

19. Or... it could drown them all! FORWARD!!!

[flamingdem]

20. What would NYC be without rats?

No, let's keep it authentic

[marmar]

22. Rats are unbelievably resilient.....

..... We'll disappear long before they do.

[Odin2005]

23. I didn't know Wall Street Banksters were... Oh, wrong rats.

[AlinPA]

25. They will take up their native refuge in the GOP's headquarters.

[Sunlei]

26. rats are not much fun!

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