American Flag in the Ruins @ Breezy, 11/11/12

November 11, 2012

On October 29^th, 2012, Super Storm Sandy ripped across the East Coast causing unprecedented damage to lives and property. I live on the East End of Long Island and prepared in the ways that I know I should. Batteries, lanterns, back-up water, charge the cell phone, batten down potential missiles. I live an old, tiny cottage and behind me is an older, enormous tree. I felt very concerned about this tree coming down on my roof. As the storm progressed and that ancient beauty began to drop her elderly, large branches, I kissed my cats goodbye and ran for it in the spitting, hissing rain to the safety of a neighbor’s much bigger house.

I slept there for the night and in the morning, returned to the cottage, which was intact with a yard full of debris from the large tree. Gazing at the undamaged roof and the intact windows, I vowed that I would not complain about any minor inconveniences I experienced as a result of the storm. No power, TV or Internet for a few days along with the gas shortages were problems that I would learn to live with. I knew via my transistor radio that damage was widespread and extensive.

Around 6:30 a.m., I got a text from my brother in Tulsa. He was checking on my safety and had bad news—there had been a fire in Breezy Point during the storm; 100 houses may have been lost. Our sister has a home in Breezy. Over the past few years, her home has been the holiday meeting place for those of us on the East Coast. My family is spread all over the country and for the couple times a year that we can get together, whatever number of us can do that, I am always very appreciative that she opens it up to us. As I get older, I feel more love and longing for my family. I had weathered my own storm with minor inconveniences; this news about Breezy brought tears to my eyes.

Yesterday, 2 weeks after the storm, finally feeling confident that the gas situation was ok, I was able to go to Breezy to help Ann at her home. It had not burned down, but the flooding damage was extensive. I was incredibly grateful that there was gas and I could lend a hand.

I got up at 4:30 and made 18 sandwiches: salami and cheese, turkey and cheese, egg salad. I packed homemade pumpkin muffins, sour cream & onion potato chips, cheddar popcorn & apples. Many of these things are some of Ann’s favorites—I kept that in mind while I was shopping. I wasn’t really sure who would eat the 18 sandwiches, but felt confident that there would be hungry people to eat them. My friend Kathee had generously donated $50 to use for any needs on the trip; I bought the groceries with her donation.

My friend Cynthia agreed to come with me; she had been to the Rockaways on a bus earlier in the week and wanted to help further. She arrived with a cooler for the 18 sandwiches, a case of water, lots of paper towels, garbage bags, gloves and a thermos for the hot, sugary Chai tea that I wanted to take to Ann.

Debris Pile @ Breezy, 11/11/12

We took off from my house around 6:30 and got to Breezy close to 8:30. The first sign of the devastation was the mountainous piles of debris along the road. Piles filled with scrap wood, bits of furniture, clothing, files in file cabinets, toys, food wrappers, letters, dishes and pans, appliances—you name it—it was there. Everything—EVERYTHING—that people owned was now in dirty, soggy, endless piles on the road.

There were lots of cars, lots of people and lots of volunteers. All along the main street from the entrance to the end, tents were set up: The Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, FEMA, Operation Blessing, church groups, and private individuals who were giving away food: hot chicken soup, ribs, fresh baked goods, drinks of all kinds, coffee—it was heartwarming to see.

We arrived at Ann’s place. I got out of the car and we fell into an embrace. It is one thing to talk on the phone, but I always like to lay my eyes on people. Seeing them in person—that tells all. She was vertical and had most of her usual high-spirits. She looked tired as I expected and I was happy to see her sense of humor still in place. I introduced her to Cynthia and we broke out the still warm Chai tea. I think she teared-up when I pulled the ½ & ½ out of the cooler. “I brought this for you”, I said. “We are here to help in any way we can.”

The day progressed with numerous volunteer groups coming by to pitch in. We were personally helped by the following: Operation Blessing, Xavier High School Students, The Red Cross and 11 young & strong, polite and funny Air Force members from Mountain Home, ID (they devoured most of the 18 sandwiches).

Air Force Crew from Home Mountain, ID with Ann, 11/11/12

My eyes are welling with tears as I think of these people who came to help us. Ann’s home was just one still-standing, badly-damaged home in Breezy Point. And on a beautiful, unusually warm Sunday in November, these volunteers were pitching in to help her. In the midst of the all-encompassing mind-boggling destruction, I am thrilled to report that the human spirit is alive and well and thriving.

The scope of the devastation is beyond belief. If you have actually read this far along in my story, let me repeat what I just said: The Scope of the Devastation is Beyond Belief. The recovery and rebuilding process will take a long, long time. The buildings, cars and stuff can all be replaced. However, the people will have a harder time of it.

House separated from chimney @ Breezy, 11/11/12

There are not a lot of photographs of people in my story; I found them to be extremely fragile. They are tired and frightened and overwhelmed. Some have lost everything and are homeless. I even had trepidation about photographing the physical damage. I actually felt like a voyeur, like I was looking at private parts of people’s lives. When the fronts of homes are blown away and you can see inside what is generally a private space, it is a disturbing experience. When right-there-on-view-for-the-world-to-see are the remains of the furniture, the decorations and artwork, the toilet, loose clothing blowing in the breeze—for me, this was extremely startling. I felt very conscious of the fact that I did not want to exploit what I was seeing. I did not take these pictures for any reason except to share with you the extent of what happened and the level of devastation to so many lives. And I hope as a result of looking at this story, that you will keep all of this, especially the people, in your minds. Remember these people—any of whom could be us, our parents or siblings, our friends or neighbors. Remember them for they are going to need our help for a long, long time.

You can see my all of my photos from Breezy Point, 11/11/12 on my Ellen Watson Photography page on Facebook. While you are there, please "Like" my page!