Kean Community remembers Hurricane Sandy on its 10th anniversary
By Steven-Ross Bugayong | Published November 18, 2022
On October 22, 2012, Hurricane Sandy became one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States affecting 24 states, including the entire eastern seaboard.
Thousands of Americans were left with no power or running water and were asked to evacuate their homes. The effects of the hurricane caused an estimated 65 billion dollars in damages.
Ten years later, reminders of the damage caused by Sandy still affect us today. On the storm’s tenth anniversary, the Kean community reflects on the superstorm Sandy tragedy.
Robyn Epstein, a junior majoring in communications, recalled her experience as scary.
“After Hurricane Irene, I didn’t know what to expect,” Epstein said. “I heard terrible things were going to happen, and they did. However, I was fortunate to live in an area where the storm didn’t hit me as much as other people in the state.”
Superstorm Sandy officially hit the state of New Jersey On Oct. 29. The storm ranged from high winds, heavy rains, and high tides, which caused most of the damage.
Justin Lignant, Kean alum, and Toms River resident, remembers being out of power for several days.
“It was a scary time,” Lignant said. “The rain just never stopped. There was flooding everywhere, and we couldn’t leave the house. I remember just staying indoors doing nothing, hoping the power and water would work again.”
The shore was massively affected by Superstorm Sandy, and to this day, the shore has not fully recovered. Houses were destroyed, items were lost, and local landmarks became unrecognizable.
“It’s crazy seeing what happened to seaside heights,” Lignant continues. “So many of the places people visited over the summer, boardwalk rides people were used to seeing, were suddenly gone. The shore doesn’t feel the same. Even though some repairs happened, the effects of Hurricane Sandy still have a lasting impact on our state.”
The truth of the matter is that New Jersey still remembers the effects of Superstorm Sandy. The state still sees constant reminders of what happened before and after the storm. From abandoned houses that still have structural damage to real estate leases still struggling to sell homes near the waterfront. Superstorm Sandy still causes fear in the eyes of the state of New Jersey.
Justin Santos, a senior psychology major and Ocean County resident, who has a restore the shore sticker on the back of his car, still holds on to the hope that one day the shore can recover.
“I know many people whose houses were damaged during Sandy, including mine,” DoSantos said. “Lucky for me, it was only flooding and losing power for a few days. But I know some people who weren’t as lucky as my family and me at the time.”
The effects of Hurricane Sandy are a tragedy, from homes being destroyed to lives lost. Nothing can ever fix the pain and suffering caused by the storm. Ten years later, people reflect on the past while looking forward to the future.