Words

Super Storm Sandy and A Family

When we heard that Sandy might be the perfect storm, we had to make some decisions. Just before the storm my oldest son and his wife and 1 year old son, moved in with us to save rent money so they could buy a home. We also had my 18 year old daughter and my…

Ford Sypher and Team Rubicon

Ford Sypher knows something about closing a circle, making a healthy return. When I asked the former regional director in Team Rubicon, the organization of U.S. military veterans devoted to disaster relief, to elaborate on his description of the group’s dynamic—“We’re providing service to those most in need—while helping save ourselves,” Sypher told a reporter…

After Sandy

It’s been over 2 years, one month and one day since the Superstorm Sandy encroached on Staten Island’s shores, but the horror of it still remains. Although the loss of lives and the devastation of property is not an on-going phenomena any longer, it is still, nevertheless a debilitating issue. For me, it means I…

Mr. Future Storm

Mr. Future Storm, I know you also will be relentless, destructive, and strong. Probably stronger than the last storm, Sandy. I’m sure you’re related. I know you will also take away homes, trees, cars, and anything in your path. You will leave destruction. Because that’s what you do. You have no empathy, no remorse, no…

I Know

I know my heart and mind will not be able to take another hard blow. I know that you forced me to leave after the last storm. But this time, after you destroy all that is dear and meaningful to me, I will not just leave for a little while, I will be one step…

I remember…

I remember Oct. 29, 2012 like it just happened. At times it was a warmer night than usual; it was very quiet also. I remember hearing about the storm coming on the radio and on the weather channels. I didn’t think much of it at the time, I thought it was just a bad storm…

Sad

My house but mostly my property which is right on the water received over $30,000 in damage. I wasn't able to get any help because my damage wasn't covered. The water table has changed. I lost two wells and now am looking at replacing three septic systems. I've lost beach front. I can't afford and…

Renters have to start from scratch

I'm sure many people are still trying to recover from Sandy. For myself, and many other renters, it has been a battle that seems too hard to win. My landlord did nothing to renovate the home I had lived in for over a year and my children and I were forced to stay with family…

Sandy Ripped Apart Our Lives as We Knew It

Sandy didn't just take my house and rack it for 10 hours during it's wrath, it took my lifestyle, my community, quick chats with my neighbors away from me. It broke up my family and how we communicate and relate to each other. The way it used to be is no more. Things have changed…

Still not home

My husband and I are safe and sound, but we have not yet been able to return to our home... the date is April 5th... this is something we NEVER expected... The contractors had predicted a return date of February 14th, but told us not to tell anyone... obviously that date has come and gone…

Freeport… Not Home Yet

Sandy began... We were in Bayside with family, not home where we really wanted to be. We kept in touch with several neighbors who had decided to tough out the storm at the Anchorage, our home...their texts were a link to what was happening and what we would need to know... We watched local news…

We Did Not Evacuate

We live in Beach Haven West, NJ. We didn't evacuate for Superstorm Sandy. I remember the police coming through, saying from their car microphones that they "wouldn't be back". I didn't want to leave the cats, and I figured we would be fine, even after almost all the neighbors evacuated. At the second high tide,…