One Year Later: Superstorm Sandy & the Jersey Shore

Yesterday, I shared a recap of my experience with Superstorm Sandy on Staten Island. I would be amiss if I didn't mention the effects on the Jersey shore. I have spent countless days since I was a child at Seaside Heights and in Ocean Grove, NJ. Summertime would not be the same without relaxing at the beach and enjoying arcades.

Seaside Heights/ Seaside Park, NJ

In April, I showed the recovery in Seaside Heights. Little did I know in September much of the rebuilding would be undone by a great fire. It pains me to see recovery burned up. It is also frustrating that the fire was at least partially caused by the rush to rebuild. The hydrant system was not rebuilt, according to ABC 7 Eyewitness News, even though its a wooden boardwalk. In addition, the electrical wires were not checked, according to NJ.com, especially in the area of the boardwalk which survived Sandy.

This area of the boardwalk survived Sandy, but was consumed by fire.

This carousel and its arcade started to come back after Sandy, but was destroyed by fire.

One Year Later: Superstorm Sandy on Staten Island

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy striking the northeast.

As many of my readers know, Sandy was something I experienced personally, as a native Staten Islander, who still lives on the island. I shared my experiences on this blog.

I just put together this montage of video I shot as the tidal wave came in and the next morning. At the time, I was nervous about sharing because of my voice. Now I realize it shows the terror of the water and what was overcome.

Even though this is a shoe blog, I see shoes as a lens to the world. I have no desire to downplay the horrific effects of this terrible storm. However, shoes comforted the feet of those evacuating, those escaping, and the long hard work of rebuilding.

When I first blogged on Sandy, winds were starting to whip, and waves were rising. But they were only a omen of what was to come.

Before the storm got bad, I visited Midland Beach to see the waves and the wind.

These rain boots got messy at Midland Beach.

A few days later, I shared before and after pictures

My car before and after it was spun around and floated down the street. Also note the cars on top of each other across the street.

Happy 100 Posts Through the Sole!

Last post was Through the Sole's 100th post! It took over 3 years, but is an important milestone.

Fittingly, the last post was on the shoes Kate Middleton wore to bring her new royal baby home. The Duchess of Cambridge has been the most popular topic on Through the Sole, including the post to get the most hits, The Royal Wedding: Kate Middleton’s Wedding Shoes. The Princess is also the subject of the post to receive the second most hits, Royal Fashion: Kate Middleton’s Shoe Choices.

Lady Gaga rounds out the tops three most hit on posts, Celebrities and Shoes: The Wacky and Inspiring Shoe Choices of Lady Gaga. She is the second most popular topic. 

Other popular topics in this first 100 posts include ice skates, the royal wedding, Jeremy Lin and shoe statistics.

In the first 100 posts I also shared my experiences living through Hurricane Sandy, shoe shopping, and how shoes can make a difference.

Some of the Through the Sole topics may not seem so shoe like, such as the Planned Parenthood and Susan G. Komen for the Cure controversy, but I truly believe you can see the world through the lens of shoes.

Wear Comfortable Shoes to Rebuild Seaside Heights, NJ

Today marks the 6 month anniversary or Superstorm Sandy made landfall in the northeast.  People have volunteered their time, donated supplies, and opened there wallets. In all $174 million has been donated, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, as reported by CNBC. Yet, rebuilding continues.

As a current coastal Staten Island resident, I have shared how Superstorm Sandy affected my local area. Recently, I was able to see the damage along the Jersey shore in areas I regularly visit like Seaside Heights and Ocean Grove.

While, Seaside Heights is often associated with "Jersey Shore" and wild partying, it actually a pretty beach with lots of family fun, likes rides and arcades.

I went twice 3 weeks apart and the progress was visible. The first time, was the St. Patty's Day Parade and the streets and bars were jammed with people in green. It was nice to see people coming back and the arcades re-opening. Three weeks later, right before Easter it was much calmer but more was open. Surprisingly, instead of having Easter baskets galore to win, the holiday was skipped over.

The boardwalk and the rides were destroyed. The building were flooded and contents needed to be thrown out Areas are roped off and marked with no trespassing signs. However, construction is ongoing and the boardwalk is slowly taking shape again.

Since pictures often tell a story better than words, I will be sharing my Seaside Height pictures, which show both the devastation and the recovery.

Early March 2013

The boardwalk was been destroyed and was in the process of being rebuilt. The post visible are the supports for the new boardwalk. Many famous places for food, like the lemonade stand (left), remain closed.

The boardwalk rebuilding with the destroyed Casino Pier in the background. Casino Pier had many rides, including the roller coaster which fell into the ocean and was shown in many newspapers. What is left of the roller coaster is visible in the background.

In the sand, you can see debris that needs to be cleaned out. Many cats have called Seaside Heights home and luckily they survived and are being fed now.

Happy 3rd Birthday Day Through the Sole!

On this day in 1952, Elizabeth the II was proclaimed the Queen of England. In economic news, the NASDAQ, the world's first electronic market, opened for trading.

In shoe news, on this day in 2010, Through the Sole: A Shoe Blog was founded.

I want to thank all my readers, my friends, and family for their continued support. 

In the past year, I have written about a variety of topics, including the history of the stiletto, Madonna's new shoe line, and Kate Middleton judging a shoe contest.

The first post of the third year was on Linsanity, which kicked off a sneaker theme, such as how to shop for sneakers, and new sneakers made of a woven material. 

This year, I also looked at using shoes for a cause. Although shoes are often thought of as frivolous, they are a necessity. In Detroit, they are using recycled material to protect the feet of the homeless.

Through the Sole took on a more personal tone as I wrote about my experiences living through Superstorm Sandy, and documenting my experience through the lens of shoes. For the first time I share pictures of myself and my neighborhood in order to illustrate the devastation and the help we have recieved. 

Wear Comfortable Shoes for the Long Superstorm Sandy Recovery

Over 3 months have passed since Superstorm Sandy hit the New York-New Jersey area. From my viewpoint in coastal Staten Island, I have seen the outpouring of support and am grateful to everyone who volunteered and who donated time, goods, and money. Much progress has been made but unfortunately, more work is needed. Recovery is still taking place.

In my last blog post, I discussed living through the storm and showed pictures from before and during the storm. 

As the waters began to recede, I made my way out into the surrounding blocks to see the damage.  Houses were off their foundations, cars were left scattered blocks from where their owners parked them, wind ripped off roofs and siding, and there was mud and debris almost everywhere.

  

The first time I tried to venture out, water was still thigh-high.

These pictures were taken in the first days after the storm. Some water remained along with extensive damage to homes and cars.

Right after the storm, there were calls for help. Government action took a long time and the Sandy Recovery bill in Congress was not passed until January. Most of that money has yet to be used.

One neighbor posted this sign asking Obama and FEMA for help.

With so many people needing places to live and basic necessities, the generosity of strangers was much called upon and greatly appreciated. 

I went to a help center at Miller Field in New Dorp, Staten Island, and saw young children asking for necessities like underwear. Luckily, a stranger handed them a new package. Food and other supplies were also given. Insurance companies were also on hand, although in my family's experience they did more to cause aggravation and stress than to help.

These pictures show the aid being given out at Miller Field.

Hurricane Sandy: Unfortunately More than Shoes Were Destroyed

This was the view from my stoop in  coastal Staten Island the morning after the storm

When I post by last blog entry at 7:49pm on Monday, October 29, I had no idea how things were about to change in a span of about 15 minutes. At just past 8pm I was called to the door by a family member. The street I had walked up and down so many times had turned into a angry river with 10ft of water that gradually increased. I stood on my stoop in disbelief as the car I has driven only hours earlier was snatched from me. First, the lights went on, then the trunk opened, finally the car spun around and started traveling down the river that invaded my block. My basement soon began to fill with water stopping inches from filling the first floor. As the initial disbelief wore off, the journalist in me grabbed my camera and sought to document the wrath of mother nature.

In the wake of the storm Internet and power outages prevented me from sharing these pictures on my blog. I managed to, in brief moments of cell phone signal, get a few pictures out on Facebook and Twitter. I also needed time to adjust to reality of life after the storm, a basement in desperate need of cleaning and drastically increased commuting times. Yet, all along I planned on sharing my experiences among the devastation that affected thousands along the east coast and beyond.

But first, my heart goes out to all those affected. In the wake of the devastation, houses completely destroyed and lives lost, I know I am one of the fortunate ones. While my family lost cars and possessions and our home was damaged, we remained safe and together. Our house still stands and luckily only the basement flooded.

I am also very thankful for the help and support of those around me, including strangers who volunteered their time and donated supplies to help my family in the recovery effort. While Staten Island is often the forgotten borough, starting a few days after the storm the outpouring of support has been astonishing.

The recovery efforts continue to this day, over 2 weeks after Sandy hit. In some ways I wonder if this area will ever be the same. Yet progress has been made and I would like to share how the storm affected us through pictures.

Since this is a shoe blog, I would be amiss if I didn't mention how my shoe collection faired.   Luckily, the shoes I most commonly wear were on the second floor and away from the water. However, I did have shoes I wore less frequently or was planning on donating that were destroyed. Unfortunately, that is one damage I did not photo document. 

My sneakers have been a symbol of the damage to my area. When faced with the water and dirt in my basement and the mud and debris on the streets I decided to only wear my old sneakers. While they lack the cushioning and support of my new sneakers, they have gotten so dirty I will happily throw them away when the cleaning is done.

On the left you see my sneakers before the storm. The right hand side shows the dirt and mud.

Unfortunately more than just sneakers or shoes were destroyed. These before and after pictures show my block during the afternoon of Monday October 29 and the after pictures are either from that night or the next morning. The before pictures show the results of some wind damage but nothing like the damage that was about to come. 

My car before and after it was spun around and floated down the street. Also note the cars on top of each other across the street. 

Hurricane Sandy: Please Stay Safe and Wear Appropriate Shoes

Through the Sole wishes everyone the best during Hurricane Sandy and that everyone is safe and sound. 

Hurricane Sandy starts to affect Midland Beach, SI, NY. Taken this afternoon.

This post is intended to share my experience through the lens of shoes as I have done with other less shoe related events, such as Election Day and the controversy over Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood.

So, what shoes are the best to during the storm? 

Given the dangerous conditions outside the best answer is what ever shoes will be comfortable for staying in (if you need to work, use judgement in deciding what to wear). 

I live in coastal Staten Island, NY close to our beaches. Earlier when winds and rain were calmer and it was more safe, I ventured out to see what it was like. I wore tall rubber rain boots.