GALLERY: From Nyack to Montauk, Sandy Upends a Region

First, it was Sandy. Then it was Frankenstorm. Now's it's called Superstorm.

But none of that matters to locals in one of the world's largest metropolitan regions, an area turned on its head by the storm on Monday. Many were left either powerless or with destroyed homes or properties. Others, chased out by floods that have changed the landscape. The lucky have ended up with relatives in powered homes or the in few hotels that were able to take them in. Call it what you want, but for many it's been nightmare.

In the wake of the Hurricane Sandy, Patch has been on the ground in its New York communities, reporting on the devastation there and capturing thousands of photos of the destruction.

We've seen the flooding in Red Hook, the historic damage in Long Beach, the washing out of Dune Road in Westhampton, surge-ravaged Lindenhurst, and so many trees uprooted, power lines ripped down, cars smashed and homes crushed in dozens of other communities streching from Brewster to Babylon Village.

In this gallery you'll find some of the more harrowing photos; in many cases they weren't even taken by Patch journalists. Instead, many were shared by the community members themselves who were compelled to document this freakish New York disaster.

At the same time, if you'd like to share your storm story, please do so in the comments below. We'd love to hear your tales.