On Oct. 29, 2012, The Westwood Regional School District closed down their schools in fear of superstorm Sandy. Many people around the tri-state area braced for the storm; boarding up their windows, stocking up their food, and filling extra batteries in their flashlights. However, no preparations could have prepared the people of New York and New Jersey for the awful storm that hit the east coast on Oct. 29, 2012.
Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey announced at a press conference at Brick on Nov. 2, 2012 that New Jersey was “inching toward normalcy” as it called in for aid, support, and a large effort to return most of the students back to school on Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. Students of the Westwood Regional School District went a week without classes, having off from Monday, Oct. 29 to Friday, Nov. 1. Many people were relieved to have no school considering they were still without power, leaving them cold and in the dark.
The aftermath of Sandy has left a permanent mark both physically and emotionally on the hearts of many New Jersey and New York residents. The favorite vacation spots of Seaside Heights, Belman, and Long Beach Island took a large beating during the hurricane, leaving most of the pier of Seaside Heights submerged in the Atlantic Ocean. People’s houses were buried in ocean water and sand, leaving residents without power, food, and their homes.
The devastation caused to the area is unfathomable for most residents, as Christie said, “Not many people could imagine the historical rollercoaster of Seaside Heights in the water. Sure at times we feared as children it would, but never did we think something like this could happen.”
The number of deaths because of Hurricane Sandy continues to rise as days pass, with the uncovering of more bodies as the recovery begins.
Though it has nearly no significance as compared to houses being destroyed and lives taken, many teenagers fear what will become of their beloved prom weekend, which is often held at Seaside Heights, the area that endured severe trauma during the storm. President of the Senior Class Megan Macchione said, “We can’t worry about what will happen right now, because no one really knows how Seaside will recover. We’re going to call in January to see if we’re able to stay there in June. If we’re not, then we’ll figure something else out, but trust me, we will have something planned.”
Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City announced on Nov. 2, 2012 that the annual New York City Marathon that was supposed to be held on Nov. 3, 2012, was cancelled because of a deeper focus on the victims of the hurricane. Interestingly enough, the runners who flew out from across the country, and the world, have decided to stay and help the victims of the storm clean up their homes and start to rebuild their communities that were taken away from them.
Hurricane Sandy took nearly 74 lives in the United States as of Nov. 1. It destroyed both permanent and vacation homes of many residents of New York and New Jersey. It dragged down historical roller coasters and piers, tarnishing memories that many held close to them. But there is one thing that Hurricane Sandy didn’t take: the human spirit. There is an amazing thing about people, especially ones from New Jersey and New York—they are resilient. In times of tragedy they manage to find the greatest outlook and hope that with time, healing will come. As a lifetime New Jersey resident, I have no fear that we will come together and fix what this storm has taken from us. With every terrible act of nature comes an equal act of pure-hearted kindness.