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GALLERY: From Nyack to Montauk, Sandy Upends a Region

Hurricane Sandy swamped homes, battered beaches and left a trail of destruction in its wake. See our gallery of some of the best photos that have appeared in Patch in the storm's aftermath.

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.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Mike Spinelli May 25, 2013 at 03:55 pm
This Community may finally have a chance for some changes in the way the District is run... God'sRead More speed Jim T. and Steve H..
Retired May 22, 2013 at 01:17 pm
Congrats to Jim and Steve, but most off all congrats to the Commack Community for having the wisdomRead More to elect them.
MJS May 22, 2013 at 10:10 am
Get ready Mary Jo, Dr. James, CTA, and PTA.. Change is Coming!
Laja May 21, 2013 at 09:03 pm
They change the name occasionally but they are and will always be TaxPac
Laja May 21, 2013 at 09:02 pm
Simply stating that you are not aware of who you are supporting is ecactly why the rest of us areRead More relentless in our efforts to keep them out of our community. For the sake of your kids, your property value and future (both near and distant) research this Group. You will be shocked to read the Exact words used by the group you support in TaxPac literature. Then read about the effects of their policies on the communities the infiltrate. And how long it takes these communities to recover once they are all voted out of office.
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 21, 2013 at 04:45 pm
LaJa. First, I don't hide behind initials or some fake name. I can't take you seriously when youRead More won't reveal who you really are. Secondly, I am not part of any group whatsoever. I do not need others telling me how to think. There ARE citizens in this town who are not happy with the current board and their ways, who do not need to be part of an organization of some sort to try and initiate change. Finally, it's funny you accuse me of being a part of something that I don't even know what it is. I've never heard of TaxPac in my life.
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 21, 2013 at 08:18 am
Last night, I had quite the email exchange with members of the PTA Executive Committee. Not onlyRead More could they NOT provide me with an answer as to why they've chosen not to support Proposition 2, all I received was snide remarks and avoidance. Not smart or professional at all. In fact, they seem like quite the joke. I guess they are more of a social club who makes decisions about an important vote without doing their homework and then pushes that decision on the community (via street signs and phone calls to parents). I believe the public deserves a valid answer as to why they've taken their position. Unfortunately, they can't provide one. It makes me ponder if I should even bother to support the PTA in the future (as I have in the past with both my time and money). They certainly don't seem to be making decisions in the best interest of our children. It is all quite sad.
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 21, 2013 at 10:53 am
Last night, I had quite the email exchange with members of the PTA Executive Committee. Not onlyRead More could they NOT provide me with an answer as to why they've chosen not to support Proposition 2, all I received was snide remarks and avoidance. Not smart or professional at all. In fact, they seem like quite the joke. I guess they are more of a social club who makes decisions about an important vote without doing their homework and then pushes that decision on the community (via street signs and phone calls to parents). I believe the public deserves a valid answer as to why they've taken their position. Unfortunately, they can't provide one. It makes me ponder if I should even bother to support the PTA in the future (as I have in the past with both my time and money). They certainly don't seem to be making decisions in the best interest of our children. Now, this morning, I hear that the PTA is telling people that they are opposed to Proposition 2 in order to keep "special interest groups" from taking over. How can parents in this community, whose children are in the system, who want to make positive change for those children, be a "special interest group"? It blows my mind, how in politics, people can twist things so badly to meet their own agendas. It is all quite sad.
Laja May 21, 2013 at 11:12 am
By the way, I am not in any way associated or affiliated with any union... If you and your groupRead More are not affiliated with TaxPac then you should know that the platform Tampellini and Hartman support, along with the sudden urgent need for 2 more board seats, is taken straight from the TaxPac play book. You can agree with them, as that is your right BUT you must also know where their rhetoric originates and educate yourselves as to what TaxPac as a group wants here on Long Island. If the TaxPac agenda was above board and positive for LI communities there would be no need for them to sneak around and attempt to gain entry into communities through back-door maneuvers like the sudden need for 2 more seats...when Fusco couldn't get in last year either..... At least know that you are being played.
Devil's Advocate May 21, 2013 at 10:21 am
No agenda? That's a joke, right? Vote for Behar and Egan. Keep TAXPAC out of Commack.
Concerned Commackian May 21, 2013 at 07:42 am
Steve Hartman is the clear choice over Jarrett Behar. Behar is just another "insider"Read More enamored with that status quo. His wife is a guidance counselor in another district, so it should come as no surprise that he sees nothing broken. Elect a fresh face with valuable community leadeship experience and no agenda. Vote Hartman
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 21, 2013 at 08:19 am
Last night, I had quite the email exchange with members of the PTA Executive Committee. Not onlyRead More could they NOT provide me with an answer as to why they've chosen not to support Proposition 2, all I received was snide remarks and avoidance. Not smart or professional at all. In fact, they seem like quite the joke. I guess they are more of a social club who makes decisions about an important vote without doing their homework and then pushes that decision on the community (via street signs and phone calls to parents). I believe the public deserves a valid answer as to why they've taken their position. Unfortunately, they can't provide one. It makes me ponder if I should even bother to support the PTA in the future (as I have in the past with both my time and money). They certainly don't seem to be making decisions in the best interest of our children. It is all quite sad.
Commackvoter May 20, 2013 at 10:24 pm
I know what the word increase means! You mentioned it above about insurance rates going up. You seeRead More when a member of the BOE gives his kid a job in the district, then that adult child (24 yrs) takes a 15 yr old student to a hotel for sex and gets arrested, then our insurance company has to pay to settle the lawsuit, dont you think our insurance rates go up John. Sure you dont believe it - Read all about it http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/cops-commack-hs-coach-faces-sex-abuse-charges-1.1711455 Time to break up this 5 member coffee clotch and their you scratch my back I will scratch yours.
John Smith May 20, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Can I ask you an honest question? I hope this doesn't sound to condescending because I really amRead More curious. Do you understand what the word "increase" means?
Judge for your yourself whether these signatures were written by the same person
LINANA May 26, 2013 at 09:03 pm
COM-MOM, I also thought that was a legal requirement--posting the job for all to apply. I am sureRead More that some of the secretaries currently employed in the district would have applied (and would have appreciated such a BUMP in salary--which was ridiculous). One would think that the board would look into salaries for comparable jobs in neighboring districts--doubtful 106K. Promotint from within may have saved clerical workers from losing their jobs. Perhaps the new board members could check into the legality & if it is illegal, the board who approved it should take the responsibility for their actions and terminate employment if the hiring process wasn't legal. Of course, we all know that they will hire whoever they want... If it is illegal, I'm surprised the unions didn't speak up. It's rare a secretary earns more than teachers given the education required for the positions.
COM-MOM May 26, 2013 at 08:01 pm
Linana, you bring up a very interesting point. When I used to work for a company here on LI thatRead More worked on government contracts, I do think that it was a law that a job had to be posted for all of our employees to see and apply. Couldn't NY state step in and consider this illegal and therefore void?
LINANA May 26, 2013 at 12:30 am
Was the position to be Dr. James 106K secretary posted so that people already employed in theRead More district & outside apply for this OVERPAID position? If not, isn't that illegal? For people who were worried that people wouldn't have the opportunity to vote because they'd be on vacation--haven't you heard of absentee ballots???? If someone isn't interested in getting an absentee ballot, shame on them--they forfeit their right to vote. Don't use that as an excuse not to have an election during the summer as would be required by law! Just because the year does not begin until July 1, does not mean that contracts have to be agreed upon & signed by then. Unions would work under the old contract until such time that contracts are negotiated--not a big deal. We see MANY school districts that truly negotiate and, therefore, don't have contracts in place by July 1. It's obvious that our board doesn't spend time negotiating since they just extend contracts that are not in line with today's fiscal reality!