$20B IN ESTIMATED DAMAGES
by Sharon Rondeau
(Oct. 30, 2012) — The Post & Email was offline for just over 24 hours due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast.
We were supremely fortunate in that we are not located in a coastal area. However, the shorelines of New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, and Connecticut suffered severe devastation. All public transportation in New York City was halted, and the Battery Tunnel in Brooklyn is flooded.
Also on Monday, at least 50 homes on Long Island were destroyed by fire following an explosion. Earlier today, Fox News reported that the number of homes destroyed was at least 80.
A total of 40 people have been reported dead from the storm, which has moved northwest, coating parts of West Virginia with a foot of snow before continuing on to affect Chicago and the upper Midwest with high winds and waves on Lake Michigan.
A firefighter in Connecticut was killed as he attempted to travel to assist victims of the storm.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost family and friends as a result of the hurricane. The American Red Cross is seeking the public’s help with disaster assistance for those affected.