I live in Long Beach and through my travels across the island I’ve heard lots of crazy rumors about this town. So to set the record straight, I thought I would just jot down a few truths here:
- The ocean met the bay when Hurricane Sandy hit Long Beach
- Not everyone had massive destruction, it seems like it was a house by house basis
- No electricity, Internet and no cell service (although the cell service is slowly coming back)
- Several fires in the east end, west end and two doors down from my house, as a result of the storm
- Sand is everywhere and the beach had major erosion
- A piece of the boardwalk is on Park Avenue and I witnessed a ticket booth on Walnut Street
- Most people stayed on the Island during the storm but now they are dislocated
- Many of the cars are totaled
- Red Cross has set up shop there. When I was there a few days ago looking for food, they were giving out bags of chips and water (I’m hoping the Red Cross is now giving out something more nutritious.)
- FEMA is there giving out boxes of dried military food that when you place it in a pouch, it gets warm.
- Army trucks, sirens and other military vehicles are all over town
- There is still flooding in many of the buildings in town and even after the water gets syphoned, it comes back
- Many people don’t have flood insurance
- Several people will be homeless
BUT, our community is strong and has always been strong. If we stand together, think positive and help each other, we will pull through this better than ever.
I love Long Beach. It’s the place my mother grew up; the town that my sister, brother and I went to school in; and it’s the place that I raise my children. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else…
