Hurricane Sandy, also known as “Superstorm Sandy,” was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of 2012 as well as the second costliest hurricane in United States history. A category 3 storm when it made landfall, the hurricane caused damage of more than $65 billion. It affected no less than 24 states, including the entire eastern seaboard.

The most severe damage occurred in the New York and New Jersey areas. The storm surge hit New York City on October 29th, flooding everything in its path. Streets, subway lines, and tunnels were destroyed, electric power in the lower part of Manhattan was cut, and boardwalks and homes were destroyed. Restoring areas such as Coney Island in Brooklyn, Seaside Heights in New Jersey, and Rockaway Beach in Queens continues to be a long and costly process. However, as the first anniversary of the superstorm approaches, we can also appreciate how much progress has been made.

Although strides have been made towards recovery, they are far from over. According to USA Today,the weather we saw with hurricane Sandy was unheard of, and may actually occur again.

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Jean Laurie changes the numbers on a sign she erected across the road from where her house once stood before being destroyed by hurricane Sandy in October of 2012 in the Ocean Breeze section of Staten Island in New York City, October 23, 2013. Reuters
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Rockaway Beach Boardwalk one year after Hurricane Sandy. Reuters
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