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Week 3: The Rebuilding Effort

As the storm devastation became clear, the reality that the families of Staten Island needed major support became obvious. St. Margaret Mary Parish stepped forward in service by distributing $500 gift cards to parishioners provided by the Archdiocese of New York, starting a relief fund and creating a food bank as residents looked to friends and relatives to provide shelter. Strong early donations of approximately $215,000 went quickly in the days immediately following the storm as families looked to get resettled.

Volunteers remove ruined furnishings and appliances from a home in Midland Beach.

The “rip out” stage of the rebuilding effort progressed swiftly in this community of teachers, fire fighters, police, many with the skills to make repairs.

Volunteer removing damaged walls, ceilings, floors, and insulation.

Volunteer laborers by the hundreds and donations of tools and supplies came from services organizations from all over the area. St. Margaret Mary provided organization and administrative support coordinating the donations and recycling the tools and supplies. Now, however, the costly rebuilding stage starts and the unsettling realization that insurance covers only a fraction of the basics.

One Family’s Struggle

Let’s look at this rebuilding phase through the experiences of the “Rodriguez” family (not the actual family’s name), a family of four, occupying two small homes on one lot of property. The property, located near Gateway National Park, has never had any problems with water and therefore no flood insurance was required or taken on the property. Originally the maternal grandmother lived in the smaller of the two homes until her death two years ago. The father is a New York City police officer, the mother is a homemaker and the two children include an 18 year old daughter with Crohn’s Disease and a 15 year old son. The night Sandy struck, Mr. Rodriguez was on duty but left his car for the family in case they needed to evacuate; however, the storm came so quickly they were unable to get out. Their car was totaled as the sea engulfed everything. Mom, son and daughter took refuge in the attic for safety.

Mud and waste left extensive damage.

When the water receded they were able to come down to find everything covered in mud and sand, with all personal items drenched in a mix of sewer and sea water. Their car sat upside down having been swept by the storm surge.

The home after the damaged floors and walls were removed.

Upon inspection, Mr. Rodriguez realized his house had shifted by the force of the water, causing a crack in the ceiling and in one of the walls. The damage to the small homes was extensive. Repairs just to regain occupancy included a new floor, new wallboard and insulation, new doors, as well as systems and appliances. FEMA has given the family $6,500 “for construction costs.” No other assistance is available as their homeowner’s insurance covers nothing as the damage is considered flood damage.

The Rodriquez story is not uncommon as hundreds of families in Midland Beach are left with limited and inadequate insurance and disaster relief.