Work I did as a graduate student in the Arthur L. Carter Institute for journalist at New York University in the Reporting the Nation/Reporting New York program from Sept. 2012 to Dec. 2013. The stories I produced and reported on were for NYU’s graduate school publication, Pavement Pieces.

For many Staten Islanders, Oct. 29, 2012 remains a day of infamy. It is the day Hurricane Sandy made landfall on Staten Island’s southern shore, wreaking havoc on the communities of Midland Beach and New Dorp Beach. Storm surges reached as high as 14 feet as homes were inundated with salt water and beach bungalows ripped off their foundations. In all, 23 Staten Islanders perished. One year later, Staten Islanders are still recovering–many still remained displaced and many still have homes that are abandoned, and remain in limbo until they receive word on when they must meet the new flood zone requirements or when they will be compensated as part of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s home buyout plan. Yet it has been one local resident’s solidarity that has created a safe haven for the many residents still reeling from the storm’s effects.

Hurricane Sandy One Year Later:

“The Hub” is a Safe Haven for Staten Island Residents