The storm surge was the real problem with Sandy. If you weren’t in the areas flooded by the storm surge or the extreme winds on the coast, the storm was fairly ordinary. Other parts of the country suffer rains and high winds regularly.
In WA, 40 mph winds are normal for a winter storm with gusts to 60. You learn to cut down all tall trees near your house and have a back up generator if you have a sump pump in your basement. You keep flash lights and candles handy and extra gas for the generator and food on your shelves.
We once lost power for five days, with 90 mph winds, 15 degree temperatures and 15 inches of snow, topped with 2 inches of ice as the storm moved on, and burst water pipes. We survived without any help from the government.
Most of the area that was not impacted by the storm surge is back to normal, except for gas lines and shortages in the grocery stores.
If Obama has his way, electrical outages might become the new normal. So, get prepared.
This part of the country gets rain and high winds regularly. People are used to that. I'm in the Philly area and so I'm away from the coast and the storm surges and this was no ordinary storm here. We're used to having our power out for a day or two or even three, but many people in my area nowhere near the water or the storm surge won't have power until the middle of next week at the earliest. Fortunately, here in PA, our gas stations are operational. But some stores are still without power and there are still bare spaces on the grocery shelves.
I'm tired of everyone telling us how this storm was not bad. It was bad. The infrastructure in one of the most populated areas of the country has taken a hit.