So true. Just because it appears that a home is still standing, you have no idea what structural damage has been done until an expert can look at it. Foundations can be cracked or washed out, walls can be structurally unsound, etc. Just because a house looks okay doesn't mean it's safe to enter or that it can be repaired. Some homes are going to have to be torn down even though they made it through the storm. Roads, sewers, water lines, gas lines and electric lines will all have to be rebuilt. In addition, as we found out on the Gulf Coast, when homes are rebuilt, new codes will be applied so that homes are more "hurricane ready". As in some areas of New Orleans, homes that were left, had to be raised up on pylons a certain number of feet in order to be insured after the storm. You have a long, long road ahead with regard to rebuilding. Be thankful for what you have, your life, and a chance to rebuild.

The difference between this and Katrina is vast. During Katrina, 1,464 people in the storm area lost their lives. The City of New Orleans was under water for over a week, some areas, for several weeks. Bodies were left in the streets for ten days before collection of the dead began. Looting was widespread throughout the city, police officers, utility workers and rescue personnel were fired upon and many police officers simply walked off the job, leaving the cities residents to defend themselves. Beach areas along the Gulf Coast were wiped clean, without a single tree, building or piece of pavement left to mark that anything had ever been there.

As a life-long resident of the Gulf Coast, I sympathize with what you are going through, because we have dealt with Hurricanes for many, many years. Mother nature will do what she wants, when she wants and as extreme as she wants and no matter of preparation, planning or special construction can beat her.

Be thankful for life, limb, health and a second chance to rebuild and continue your life. Buildings, roads and infrastructure can and will be replaced. Memories of how things used to be cannot be destroyed by a storm, you will always have those. Hang tough and be grateful for what you do have and the rest will be worked out in time.

Lilburn Lady - I know a couple people from down in NOLA who have been VERY sympathetic and understanding to our situation here in NJ. More so than some of our own residents here, sad to say.
Thanks for your interest and your reply here. This isn't (and shouldn't be) about comparing which was worse. Does it matter? Both are horrendous.

I was SO lucky in all of this - only lost power for a few hours tuesday. NO other issues. But I've spent the last few days helping people I know who were MUCH less fortunate than me. People who's homes were destroyed.

I wish everyone would stop complaining about inconveniences like power outages, etc - if EVERYONE could help out in ANY way, big or small, we could make a HUGE difference right now in some people's lives. Anyone that is able bodied should be lending a hand to their friends, neighbors and communities.
If you somehow don't know someone personally who needs your help - you know where to find them. They're in Cherry Quay, Baywood, Silverton, Point Pleasant, EVERYWHERE there was water, people need help.
If your power is out . . . really, what else do you have to do anyway?

DH, I agree that the best possible way to get through a bad situation is to do something to help someone else who is also in a bad way. I see stories about the lady in NY who somehow had power when most people on the block did not. She put an outlet outside with a sign encouraging people to use it to rechard their cellphones. If you have elderly neighbors, go knock on their doors and ask if they need blankets, water, food, etc. See if they need medications or help contacting relatives. If you have a chain saw, go help a neighbor cut and stack tree limbs that have fallen. If you have an extra tarp, help a neighbor who has a hole in his roof. There are many, many things that you can do on your own while you are waiting for the power to come back on or for help to arrive. I have always admired the "Yankee" "Can Do" spirit and I know that it is still alive and well. I posted here because of relatives that live in Normandy Beach. One families house is in three pieces in the bay. The other family's house survived, but had four feet of water inside. It is extremely sad what happened, but it is mother nature. You survive it, you rebuild and life goes on. Best wishes to all of you.

You must have missed the part about "the entire system will need to be rebuilt"

I am so, so sorry for your loss. I can't begin t imagine what you're going through.

Hey you, are you still stuck in 7th grade. We need to talk.