Addabbo reflects on the destruction of Hurricane Sandy, and how the community came together for each other, on the 9th anniversary of the storm

Today marks the 9-year anniversary of the day Hurricane Sandy devastated much of Howard Beach, Hamilton Beach, Broad Channel, the Rockaways and many other communities across Queens, and how that day changed the lives of so many residents. 

Today is a day to reflect on the damage caused by the storm and the lives that were lost, but also on how we all came together as a community and as a city to help those in need. I remember touring the destruction throughout my district, with homes flooded, businesses unable to open, and even parts of the Rockaway boardwalk hundreds of feet away from the beach. Together we were able to help residents get back into their homes, rebuild much of what was destroyed, and come back better than before. 

On that day we were also reminded of the power of nature, and I’ve been fighting to better protect our coastal communities from the dangers of climate change so we never have to face that kind of situation again.