Riding out Hurricane Sandy in FL

We always thought that if we were to get caught up in the aftermath of a hurricane it would be in Florida, but this time it was New Jersey.

Late October 2012, we decided to fly down to Florida for a 3-day weekend. As we sat in Newark Airport the televisions were warning of the Halloween Monster Storm. Off we went, landing in PBI late that night. As we landed Hurricane Sandy was moving north towards the FL coast but far out to sea. 

Friday was an exciting day on the beach – wind whipping, ocean riled, sand blasting our skin – so fun. 

Saturday was sunny and perfect, but the beach was ugly! Everyone was out on the beach surveying the damage; the storm surge being the greatest cause of damage, which was extensive. Up and down the beach it was a mess. Debris, both natural and man-made, was everywhere. Beach access stairways and ramps dangled in mid-air. Waves smashed up against dunes, leaving no place to walk in some places. Inland, there was no damage. 

This is the pump house at the PB Inlet. We have never seen the ocean come in
over the break wall on this side. It flooded nearby swimming pools with sand.

Our flight back to NJ was to leave early Monday a.m. so we could both be back at work by mid-morning. Even though Sandy was not getting to NJ till late that Monday evening, our flight was cancelled. Our offices had already sent out emails closing the office on Tuesday. That night and next day, Sandy pummeled NJ, as we all know from the devastating videos and photos. So much of Jersey was without power. Trees down everywhere. And so much of the shore gone.

Bryan was home taking care of our home. Fortunately, we had no direct damage from downed trees. Bryan sent photos of our road where he could hardly get his car through. He managed to stay warm by the fireplace, charge his phone in the car, and BBQ his meals outside.

Broken telephone pole

Wires down at the bottom of our road

We continued to work remotely from Florida as our colleagues and neighbors in NJ were without water and power. By Friday, our Saturday flights seemed to be a ‘go’ but we still did not have power at home. I decided to stay another week so I could work, and Don went home to check on Bryan and the house. Fortunately our power was back as of late Friday. Everything was fine and … except for the panic over finding gas!

We were lucky during Hurricane Sandy, unlike so many – too many still struggling. Slowly but surely, downed trees have been cut up and removed, transformers that sat on the side of our roads for weeks have been picked up, roofs have been repaired, and wires have been raised off the road.