When you build a community, town, city, or even a home right on a coast line there is likely odds it will be hit by a catastrophic storm. North Atlantic in a storm rage can best be described as Bering Sea East and every bit as belligerent & unforgiving in nature. This just happened to be one of those type of major storms. Nothing more nothing less. Best thing to do is stay out of it's path.
Natural occurrences have many times over more to do with how storms hit and how temperatures increase or decrease than mans so called Carbon Foot Print or man made climate change urban legends. I see this endorsement for Obama as nothing more than a power play. There is a significant number of persons wanting to rule their own little section of the world. Man has no more to do with the Global Climate Change than drinking a 32 Ounce Coke.
Sea Walls are our friend Mr Mayor. Perhaps more Breaks in key places should have been built? Or perhaps a Mandate from your office ordering the storm away would have worked better /sarcasm.
Perhaps it is often wiser to plan ahead, plan for disaster, reduce risk by building critical infrastructure higher above sea level. Ports like Norfolk Virginia have been hit by canes for years. Critical portions of your city's transportation system is built underwater. What did you think would happen?
The Sea respects no one mayor not even Thee.