Post-Sandy Recovery: Power Failures & Flooding

Hurricane Sandy struck the tri-state area on October 29, 2012, leaving many dead, millions without power and/or water, and countless homes unoccupiable. Fires have been widespread, notably in Breezy Point, Queens, where 80-100 homes have been destroyed by fire during the storm.

Breezy Point, post-storm fires via Atlantic Wire/Photo: Frank Franklin II, AP)

Hurricane Sandy is on its way to being one of the most expensive disasters in history. Costs, expected in the billions, will come in the form of direct recovery expenses, such as the projected $8 million in damages to the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ, as well as costs associated with the disruption to business and services. As of Tuesday morning, the Wall Street Journal reports that all four NYC area airports remain closed. Transit is disrupted throughout New York City and the tri-state area. New York public schools remain closed. The New York Stock Exchange will be closed until Wednesday, the first time since 1888 that the NYSE has closed two days in a row due to weather.

In a press conference appearance, Governor Cuomo said that New York is relatively well prepared for disasters, but that much of our infrastructure was designed without an understanding of  many of the current risks. Some argue that these risks are increasing. In an October 6, 2011 presentation to the DFRR Committee, Klaus Jacob, of Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory & School of International and Public Affairs, predicted that the economic impact of storms to the city may increase dramatically when future storm surges are compounded by climate change-related sea level rise.

The New York Times has extensive coverage of the Hurricane Sandy aftermath, including the spread of power failures in the Northeast:

via the New York Times

dramatic flooding images:

via the New York Times

as Governor Cuomo tweeted this morning, via Twitter

and train closures:

via the New York Times

Train closures are largely due to water infiltration, through both the ventilation shafts and the tunnel entrances.

from Klaus Jacobs speaking to DFRR, 10/6/12

President Obama has declared major disasters in New York and New Jersey. Previously Emergency Declarations were signed for the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maryland. These declarations indicate that federal emergency aid is available to these states.

More of Sandy can be seen in these videos taken from the International Space Station available on Youtube and the NASA Goddard Flickr page:

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Link: New York Times

Link: Wall Street Journal

Link: Governor Cuomo's Twitter Feed

Link: FEMA

Link: Storm Photos from Bucky Turco