Damage in the Rockaway neighborhood in Queens, N.Y., where the historic boardwalk was washed away during Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 31, 2012. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

propublica.org - by Theodoric Meyer - January 18, 2013

When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Congress passed two relief bills almost unanimously. But when it comes to Hurricane Sandy, some in Congress seem to have had a change of heart.

In total, 58 representatives voted against bills this month similar to ones that they had supported after Katrina.

Here's a breakdown of how each of them voted on the two Katrina bills and the two Sandy ones:

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2012, file photo, a man walks with his dog to a National Guard vehicle after leaving his flooded home at the Metropolitan Trailer Park in Moonachie, N.J., in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. The storm drove New York and New Jersey residents from their homes, destroyed belongings and forced them to find shelter for themselves - and for their pets, said owners, who recounted tales of a dog swimming through flooded streets and extra food left behind for a tarantula no one was willing to take in. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File)

(Also see related information - Vote on Sandy Disaster Aid and Amendments, and other articles below)

CNN - by Deirdre Walsh and Kevin Liptak - January 15, 2013

Washington (CNN) - Lawmakers in the House of Representatives approved measures Tuesday to send more than $50 billion in aid to the Northeastern states ravaged by Superstorm Sandy last fall, though some conservatives in the House were pushing for spending cuts that would offset the cost of the recovery package.

The final bill passed 241-180, with 49 Republicans voting against it. The package now heads to the Senate.

nj.gov - January 14, 2013

Asbury Park Press - by Kristi Funderburk - January 7, 2013

TRENTON — Residents looking to weigh their area’s flooding risks in the wake of superstorm Sandy can find answers online with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s new advisory base flood elevation maps.

The advisory maps, available online for 10 New Jersey counties, including Ocean and Monmouth, show how high structures need to be raised to minimize damage from future flooding, agency spokesman Chris McKniff said in a news release.

The maps reveal parts of some communities are in new flood zones, a factor that could impact insurance rates and building practices, he said. To view flood elevations by address, visit www.region2coastal.com/sandy/table

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

Oyster Creek is the nation's oldest nuclear plant.  Stan Honda/Agence France-Presse - Getty Images

nytimes.com - by Michael Powell - January 7, 2013

LACEY, N.J. — Some years ago, Janet Tauro moved to the pine barrens and salt-flecked flats of the Jersey Shore, where she would raise her children. Then she found that Oyster Creek, the nation’s oldest nuclear plant, sat on her doorstep.

She became a nuclear activist, one of dozens who bird-dog the Oyster Creek plant, and helped persuade Gov. Chris Christie to shutter the place by 2019. But not even the closing notice set her mind at ease.

Then Hurricane Sandy blew through, spinning houses off foundations, blowing holes in barrier islands and wrecking lives.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

nj.gov
State of New Jersey - Department of Human Services
Division of Mental Health Services

Super storm known as Sandy has devastated many New Jersey communities and wreaked havoc in people’s lives all along the East Coast.  More than 50 million Americans are coping with the aftermath of the storm.  The damage and destruction from coastal surges, power outages, and high winds has resulted in disruptions to school and work schedules, property destruction, and serious financial consequences.

No one who lives through a disaster is untouched by the experience.  Like other disasters, severe storms and flooding can result in emotional distress, as well as property damage.  Disasters can threaten our sense of control and safety, and can affect many aspects of our lives.  The emotional trauma caused by the storm and anxiety about what will happen next can complicate and impede recovery.  While protecting people and restoring safety, power, and property, is a priority in the wake of natural disasters, emotional coping also matters.

submitted by John Cocozza

I am sure that everyone has seen so much of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy as it slammed into cities like Atlantic City, Seaside Heights, Manhattan, and others.  Sometimes the images on TV might be larger than life but the media leaves us only a small view of the shear range of the devastation.   There were a couple hundred small towns and small communities along the coast from Ocean City, Maryland through the Jersey Shore and reach past Montauk, NY out on Long Island.  These small towns I can tell you from first hand knowledge are our Main Street, USA's.

See the attached document for the full text.

pbs.org - November 9th, 2012 - Rick Karr

The homes of some New Jersey residents have been without power or heat more than 10 days after superstorm Sandy struck. And even with support from out-of-state utility workers untangling downed lines, erecting polls, and repairing the grid, many may remain in the dark for days to come. Special correspondent Rick Karr reports.

(VIEW TRANSCRIPT OR LISTEN TO REPORT)

tools.niehs.nih.gov

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy, one of the largest and fiercest storms to threaten the East Coast, made landfall in New Jersey. The devastating storm caused extensive damage throughout the East Coast as it released torrential rains, ferocious winds, and widespread flooding.

This webpage provides documents and resources that address emergency preparedness in hurricane and flood situations.  Documents found on this page primarily address issues in government preparedness and public preparedness.  Some information has been taken from the Floods and Hurricane Katrina Emergency Preparedness Pages located on the National Clearinghouse Website.

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Image: Wreckage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Submitted by Samuel Bendett

inhabitat.com - November 6th, 2012 - Molly Cotter

Many people have been talking about how to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Sandy, but nonprofit design services group Architecture for Humanity has actually gone and created a 5-point rebuilding plan. Their proposal not only focuses on working with local authorities, companies, and builders, but is also dedicated to reconstructing for long-term results, and that means building green. The organization, which has been helping Japan reconstruct many of its towns after the tsunami and earthquakes of 2011, used their expertise to draw up a strategic scheme for how New York and New Jersey could be rebuilt in a way that would make them more sustainable and disaster-proof than ever before.

(VIEW COMPLETE ARTICLE)

submitted by Stephen Praissman  |  (TO GO TO THE INTERACTIVE MAPS - CLICK ON MAP IMAGE AND SCROLL DOWN)

http://www.rxresponse.org/PharmacyStatus/Pages/ActivePharmacyReporting.aspx

rxresponse.org

There is no benefit to an operational bio-pharmaceutical supply chain if those in need cannot get or do not know where to get their medicine. It is critical that the general public be able to locate nearby open pharmacies in a disaster or emergency event. In addition, emergency management agencies and departments of health need to quickly understand an emergency's impact on public health in a disaster area. Part of that knowledge is understanding the accessibility of medicine within the affected area.

To meet these two critical needs, Rx Response partnered with the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP), as well as the pharmacy switches/clearinghouses responsible for processing pharmacy payments – eRx Network (an Emdeon company) and RelayHealth. These partnerships form the basis of the Emergency Pharmacy Status Reporting tool.

Attached is a .pdf detailing the Nor'easter forecast for November 7th and 8th.

(Please note - you must login to view the attachment - kg)

New toll-free number for gas station owners and managers - 1-866-402-3775
For assistance with generators and fuel to affected gas stations along the East Coast

energy.gov - November 4, 2012

WASHINGTON – As part of the government-wide effort to assist the response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy, the Energy Department has established a team to assist local authorities in their efforts to help get gas stations back online.

With residents experiencing long lines at gas stations in the impacted areas, the federal government is taking immediate steps that will provide relief in the short term at the President’s direction, and working with the Department of Defense, the National Guard and the Governors of New York and New Jersey. As part of that effort, the Energy Department has established a team that is helping state and local officials identify gas stations that are in need of emergency generators to restore power or are running short on fuel supplies.

Mr. C's Beach Bistro

submitted by Jeff Williams - November 4, 2012

Hi all. I'm at jersey shore now in ground zero. Our house has 4 ft of sand and 6 ft of sea water on top of that. Most of neighbors homes are destroyed as waves broke through second floor windows and exited by breaking out through first floor walls and doors. Dead fish throughout. FEMA and other recovery organizations and can't get their equipment through the heavy compacted 4 ft of wet sand to start draining homes and checking has lines. Neighbor's red couch was found 3/4 mile inland.

I am in the evacuation zone without power for miles. Sleeping in cold house night temps are in high 30s. Stunned silence as residents return and wander along beach and neighborhoods. But ocean is strikingly beautiful today with glassy sunrise, off shore breeze and 3 ft barrels coming off the sandbars.

Pics to follow. But it will be long time to just dig out. And destroyed homes stores and schools have no prospect of quick recovery. Will take herculean policy and political decisions to figure out how to assist recovery, and insurance companies are already denying coverage for losses.

Jeff