11.02.2012

{Hurricane Sandy} Scenes from Hoboken



Well.  What. a. week.

I wrote all my posts in advance last week because rumor had it that Hurricane Sandy was going to hit Hoboken & the surrounding areas.  RZ & I prepared: we stocked up on batteries, we bought non-perishable food & we filled the car with gas.  We prepared for the worst & hoped for the best.  By Monday evening, it seemed like Hurricane Sandy had spared Hoboken of anything more than heavy winds.

Around 10:30pm, things went really wrong really fast.  Power was lost.  Water came gushing down our street, turning our street into a rushing river & the first floor of our building into a pool.  Fire alarms started blaring.  We needed to get out of our building but we couldn't get out because of the water.  Panic set in.  The worst had arrived!

After getting through that scary night, we woke up still trapped in our building.  We had no power & no gas.  We couldn't leave because of the flooding.    

Instead of pavement, this murky river greeted us beyond our front door:


Further down our street, the flood waters were much deeper:

 
As Tuesday progressed, our little slice of Hoboken started looking much better.  Flood waters were receding in one direction:


The other direction still didn't look so good but we hoped & hoped & hoped some more we could leave in the morning:


For other images of the devastation in Hoboken, please see other residents' photos on Hoboken Girl Blog.

Thanks to our lucky stars, we were able to leave Wednesday morning & we were welcomed into our brother & sister-in-law's home.  For the first time, we could see the Hurricane Sandy coverage & truly understand her wrath.  National Guard rescuing stranded Hobokenites from still-flooded areas.  People surveying the burned spot where their home once stood.  The ocean obliterating my favorite spots on the Jersey shore.  Every single image & report broke my heart. 

We received word that Monday is the first day we may able to return home.  I feel very lucky & blessed that we have a wonderful place to stay & a home to return to at some point.  My heart remains in my home sweet home of Hoboken & I can't wait to go home.  To Hobokenites & others affected by Hurricane Sandy- stay strong!!!!

November 5 Update: We're still not home yet we are still feeling very lucky & grateful.  Blogging may be spotty for the next week or so; please be patient.  Our hearts, thoughts & prayers remain with everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy.  Hoboken Strong AND Jersey Strong!

12 comments:

  1. So sorry your area got hit so hard. It caused so much damage for so many. Thank God you had family that let you stay with them! xo

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    1. We are so grateful for our family! Family & friends are what truly matter.

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  2. so glad you are ok! i'm sending well wishes and donating to humane society for the pets.

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    1. Thank you! You are SO kind- the animals need help too!

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  3. WOW! I didn't know you were from The NYC Area. So glad you're both well and okay for now. I'll miss your posts but will pray for you to regroup and get resettled. Be well
    oxoxox Amy

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    1. Thank you, Amy! Please continue to pray for everyone affected by this storm.

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  4. So glad you guys are safe and sound, and hoping you can get home soon. My family got power back on Sunday night, and I'm just so thankful that a few days without heat and electricity, and one crushed window are all they have to contend with.

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    1. I'm glad your family is safe- that is what truly matters!

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  5. Thoughts are with you! I can't believe the photos...such a scary and surreal experience!

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    1. Believe it or not, my block was one of the least affected blocks! Much, much worse in other areas of town & in other parts of NJ & NY :-( Thank you for your thoughts!

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  6. oh my gosh! so glad you were able to get out in time. thinking about you!

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Hi, Lovely! Your kind comments are most welcome & always appreciated. XOXO

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