Sandy

92nd Street on the Rockaways.  One street, three blocks wide from ocean to bay. Every house was flooded with at least 6-plus feet of water.  The whole of people's soggy belongings piling up on the street.  50 foot parts of the boardwalk are strewn about 2 blocks from the ocean. A foot of sand covering the street.  Cars rendered useless.  To think that that is only one street and each street for miles going east along Long Island, Belle Harbor and Breezy to the west, and then miles south along the Jersey Shore are as devastated.  Some were fortunate, many more are much worse off.  Spirits are still high in this neighborhood.  Manpower is what they need.  If one has gas in their vehicle, fill it up with friends, gloves, shovels, and some garbage bags and get out there. That's how it will get done. 

Neighborhoods, volunteers, and government are indispensable.  Neighborhoods and volunteers band together to clean out, cope, comfort, protect, and move beyond the disaster.  The National Guard, Red Cross, FEMA, power companies, and, of course, the Department of Sanitation are there.  They are essential in rebuilding the infrastructure that we so depend on.  We see first hand what happens when no electricity stops the gas pumps from distributing gas.  Patience, accountability, and understanding are absolutely necessary for the rebuild.