[reelapeelin]

In 1989 I was with a retail store chain w/stores in the coastal region of SC...it was my job to go there and assess and administrate repairs to our stores following Cat 4 Hurricane Hugo's devastation. Of course along the way, I saw first hand how widespread the high wind damage was and will forever be amazed at the depth and massive power of the ocean's surge as it swept inland...from Charleston to North Myrtle Beach, I thought the same thing Kenny mentioned above...war zone...As I drove inland the 200 or so miles, I continued to be in awe of Hugo's damage as I passed wide swaths of Midland forests leveled to the ground as though some giant had driven his monster truck across them like grass...sustained winds of 90 mph laid a huge oak across my uncle's house in Charlotte, NC, a 5 hour drive from the coast.

My oldest daughter was born that same year; she is 23 now and there is little sign of Hugo's rude visit to our area...the New Jersey coast will be back in much the same way from Sandy, although it is hard to imagine now as there is so much to be done, it's hard to choose a starting point...but stay focused, patient and determined...and thankful your loved ones survived...The NJ coast is too great a place to stay down long...

Last year's Irene did not live up to it's forecast...and I think that played into some level of complacency as Sandy approached...if we take nothing else from this, it must be that we need to take all threats by Mother Nature as though they have the potential to bring damage the size of Sandy...cuz they surely do.