Stronger than the Storm: Recovering after Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy had devastating effects on the East Coast. It was the second costliest hurricane in United States history. The hurricane started off as a tropical wave in the Caribbean, but turned into a tropical storm six hours later. 

Because of this massive storm, 125 people died in the United States alone. 

New Jersey and New York were severely impacted by the hurricane. It flooded streets, tunnels, and subway lines in the city. Overall, it cost the United States roughly 65 billion dollars in damage.   

One major cause of damage and contamination came from stormwater. Because of Hurricane Sandy, billions of gallons of raw and partially treated sewage went into New York and New Jersey waterways.

Shortly after the storm, New York’s waterways were flooded with raw sewage, industrial chemicals and debris. These are dangerous toxins that could jeopardize the health of the community.

In cases like these, stormwater management is absolutely necessary. The state of New Jersey is famous for its beaches; without proper stormwater management, an ocean can suffer from contamination.

Stormwater is the result of precipitation events, such as rain. It is a major cause of water pollution. Oil from automobiles, brake pad fibers, animal waste, pesticides, herbicides, and trash are carried in stormwater. Fertilizers and chemicals from gardens and homes are in stormwater as well. 

As a result of Hurricane Sandy, New York and New Jersey are taking important steps to rebuild. By utilizing green infrastructure, water quality can be improved for the better.  

Currently, both New York and New Jersey are recovering from the traumatic effects of Hurricane Sandy. The United States Environmental Protection Agency is providing $340 million to New York and $229 million to New Jersey to improve both wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities that were impacted by the storm.