A Series of Unfortunate Events

A swan makes its way down a flooded street in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy in Lindenhurst, N.Y.

    
     As all of America knows, the East Coast and New England coastlines were hit with a devastating hurricane, Sandy; and for some areas, this hurricane was combined with a cold front to form the super storm popularly known as "Frankenstorm." The areas that took the greatest hit were the state of New Jersey and NYC and the surrounding areas. It's almost a week later and I'm sure everyone has been watching the news so there's no reason for me to go into detail; however, this is very personal for me because not only do I live in New Jersey but I also live only about 6 miles from the shore. Areas like Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach, which were completely ripped apart, are only a few miles from where I live.



Some personal photos snapped with my phone:

Most of the stores we have gone to look like this throughout the grocery section. Photo taken by me on November 2, 2012

Lot across from our building. Photo taken by me on October 29, 2012 - when the storm was just starting!

One of the many obstacles on the roads my mother encountered simply trying to get to the barn, normally a 50 min drive that went well into being 2 hours! Photo taken by me on October 30, 2012- that Tuesday after the storm!

Another obstacle on the road. Though many people drove their cars underneath that, I did not let my mother drive under it! Photo taken by on October 30, 2012.

Road closed! Photo taken by me on October 30, 2012.

Tree in the middle of the road. You can see where they had to cut it so that people can drive underneath it; this one I let my mother drive under. Photo taken by October 30, 2012.

Look at all that sand that's not supposed to be there! Photo taken by me when my mother and I ventured through some shore towns on October 31, 2012.

Roads closed because of all the destruction! Photo taken by me on October 31, 2012

Even though we are okay (apartment, and everything else still intact), we are still suffering the negative effects of this horrible super storm that hit land last Monday. We got our power back on Wednesday afternoon, and so now we are just in the process of trying to settle back in after all of this chaos. We have faced everything from losing power, dealing with city curfews, trying to find gas and not only that but the long lines-luckily my mother filled up her tank before the storm hit so we weren't in an urgent need,- finding the items we need in grocery stores -same this as gas, we stocked up on so much food and water that we are in no trouble of running out,- and dealing with the delays in getting to places, mainly the barn, due to detours. But I know all of this is really nothing in comparison to what some people I know have gone through, either completely losing their house or having it severely damaged.

I CAN NOT begin to tell about how many there are for me that I was worried about, from the city, to Staten Island, all the way down south to my roommate who lives on an island in Ocean City (down by AC). However, I have been in contact with those I know and luckily they are all okay and their homes are okay. Though some are still living like a lot of people still in the tri state area - without power! One news update after another shows how severe the aftermath of this storm really is.

Kindness from people. Reportedly seen in Hoboken, NJ

  
But through darkness, there is light, as we have witnessed how this wonderful state has really come together to support one another and to bounce back stronger than ever! JERSEY STRONG and damn proud! I must admit though, it's not just Jersey, but I believe everyone everywhere realizes how important it is that we work together so that we can recover properly, and I think that is one very beautiful thing about this country and its peoples.

I really wanted to write about this sooner but I just couldn't find the proper words to describe everything I was witnessing firsthand. Still, the only  word I can come up for this is surreal. Everything is just so surreal. Our gas is now being rationed! -SURREAL! 

peace, love, and blessings to all. Hoping for a speedy recovery,
Rebekka Hovilainen

{1, 2-9 me, 10}