Hurricane Sandy and Norton Records

[Joe]

I recently heard (via Facebook posts, so I'm waiting for corroboration) that Norton Records' New York City warehouse was severely damaged by the recent storm surge and flooding, and a large part of their inventory was destroyed.  Has anything heard about this?  I hope the damage isn't as bad as it sounds...but I fear it probably is. 

[caryn lavender]

This was posted on Facebook about 3 hours ago...

Miriam Linna:
TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF NORTON RECORDS

Thanks to all who have checked in offering concern for us here at Norton Records during Hurricane Sandy. Our home and office were unaffected by the hurricane, however Norton’s Brooklyn warehouse facility was hit very hard, destroying most of Norton’s catalog stock.

We ask at this time that you hold off on ordering until we can assess the damage.

[kopper]

Man, I sure hope their insurance covers flood damage. Yikes!

[Wipeout!]

Damn this is bad news, though glad that the Norton family is safe...I was just about to place an order next week, too...& I second Kopper's hope...

[John Battles]

I third it. But , I think they're probably OK in that dept. It's the assessing that's going to be grueling. I tried to call Miriam a couple of days ago , but , just got her voice mail.

Thanks for the info. It's not good news , but it's better news than it could have been.

As long as they're safe . None of us want to think about losing our STUFF , tho' , in this case , that's their livelihood , but , when you think about it , STUFF is'nt as important as you , your friends and your family.    John.
 
Wipeout! said:

Damn this is bad news, though glad that the Norton family is safe...I was just about to place an order next week, too...& I second Kopper's hope...

[vincent von fuhkk]

Posted on their facebook page. I can't believe I was just in New York 2 weeks ago on vacation.

"NORTON RECORDS NEEDS YOUR HELP! Thanks again to our many friends who have been offering support following the devastating destruction that Hurricane Sandy wreaked upon the Norton Records warehouse in Brooklyn. Our electricity was restored today and we were able to assess the heavy damage. We can use help – not at our warehouse – but at our office in Prospect Heights. If any of you would like to volunteer your time at any point between now and Monday – even for just a few hours, we need as many people as possible to help clean and organize records that we are bringing from our warehouse. Celebrities may be in attendance. At this very moment, noted superstar Andy Shernoff is on hand pitching in. ...

Here’s the swell bonus. With the cancelation of this weekend’s WFMU Record Fair, we are setting up the two tables worth of records that would have been available at the Fair for your shopping pleasure, right here in our office.  If you would like to volunteer, please call 917 671 7884 or e-mail [e-mail] to arrange times and give you directions.

 

Thanks so much, The Norton Records staff"

 

[John Battles]

They made another statement , it looks REAL bad , but , they've got a lot of friends helping them , tho' they urged people to work within their own communities if they don't live nearby , but were affected by the hurricane.  Benefit shows , I think , are in order , as they were after the Estrus warehouse fire....But , this is a natural disaster , and when the forces of man meet the forces of nature , man will get his ass kicked. Does'nt mean he won't dust himself off and get back in the fight.
 
John Battles said:

I third it. But , I think they're probably OK in that dept. It's the assessing that's going to be grueling. I tried to call Miriam a couple of days ago , but , just got her voice mail.

Thanks for the info. It's not good news , but it's better news than it could have been.

As long as they're safe . None of us want to think about losing our STUFF , tho' , in this case , that's their livelihood , but , when you think about it , STUFF is'nt as important as you , your friends and your family.    John.
 
Wipeout! said:

Damn this is bad news, though glad that the Norton family is safe...I was just about to place an order next week, too...& I second Kopper's hope...

[Joe]

Yep, I got the email from the Norton mailing list as well.  It's very encouraging to hear that so many people have volunteered their time to help out.  They can still use help, so I'll highlight this bit from their most recent email for anyone in the NYC area:

Norton asked for help through the weekend but we actually will continue to need any help that we can get throughout the upcoming week. We are working from 11AM until 11PM every day. Anything that you can do to pitch in would be most appreciated. The folks who have helped so far have been simply incredible. Friends, neighbors, Norton artists and complete strangers – we thank you all for the work, the food and snacks you brought and the much needed support you’ve all shown through this ordeal.

WE WILL NOT GIVE UP ON YOU IF YOU DON'T GIVE UP ON NORTON. THAT'S A PROMISE.

We have gotten messages from people who live too far to get here. Thank you. If you are in our hurricane area, please direct your efforts to helping those who you can reach. Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey, Staten Island, the entire East Coast needs a neighborhood effort.

And the Norton contact info:

email [e-mail]
Billy's cell 917 671 7185
Miriam’s cell 917 671 7884
Norton landline 718 789 4438

[kopper]

Saving Norton Records after Hurricane Sandy from Dust & Grooves on Vimeo.

[Alex]

My wife and I went on Saturday to help out.  It was a great experience and I hope I can help out some more this week.  I can't explain how much help Norton needs.  Literally their entire warehouse in Red Hook was underwater, so Norton brought all the records to their HQ where we stripped the vinyl out of the soggy sleeves (rainwater, floodwater, sewage, everything from the storm) and cleaned the records with soap and water.  Next, they dry the records and re-sleeve whatever can be salvaged.  There were two full hallways filled with vinyl, and more still at the warehouse.  PLEASE GO HELP.  These are good people who run an awesome company, and this is their life's work.  They're working all day until 11 pm each day.  As you can see from the video, Miriam is absolutely beside herself.  Billy was in decent spirits on Saturday brought us beer for helping out.  Here's a photo of me cleaning (on the left).  That's Warren from the Barreracudas all the way in the back.

[Doc Sanchez]

I unfortunately can't help for I'm on the other side of the world. but I wish all of you all the best, not only Norton but all who have suffered in one way or another from Sandy. Keep going, guys!

Cheers, Doc

[Frances Marie]

This makes me so sad. I wish I could go to New York and help them out.

[John Battles]

Me , too. It's heartbreaking. Our thanks to Alex and everyone who can , and is , helping them , now.