In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated much of the Northeast United States. The Category 2 storm was the biggest recorded Atlantic Hurricane that left many homes destroyed, buildings crushed, and left many displaced. Brutally affected by the destruction of Hurricane Sandy is the United States’ “longest-operating independent radio station”, WFMU. WFMU (91.1fm in Jersey City and 90.1fm in Hudson Valley, NY) is a completely listener supported radio station that started in 1958. Their supporters range from United States, Canada, to Europe, Australia and Asia. Hurricane Sandy forcedWFMU to shut down for a whole week because of the flooding of it’s headquarters. The damages took a toll on the radio station’s operating budget. Some of the damages include “Ichiban stream computer, WFMU’s backup streaming computer (also handles our web-only shows), interconnectivity equipment at WMFU, as well as plenty of audio processing equipment. WFMU’s main ISP, phone system, fire alarm system, and remote access system were out for over a week.” WFMU if holding an urgent fundraiser called “Hell & High Water” to raise the funds to keep the station going and independent. From their budget of 1.8 million dollars, from damages of Hurricane Sandy, it has been reduced to 15 thousand dollars. You can help support WFMU by donating at https://www.wfmu.org/marathon/pledge.php and get some swag in return.
