By VICTORIA CATTELONA and EMILY KAZENMAYER
Staff Writers
As the eastern coast of the United States recovers from the devastating and costly effects of Superstorm Sandy, some people and places have begun to return to normalcy once again, as Sandy Hook electrician Jim Kazenmayer shared.
Sea Bright and Belmar were two New Jersey areas that suffered severe damage due to Sandy, leaving the area “wiped out,” Kazenmayer noted.
“Sandy Hook is still closed to the public. A lot of businesses were torn up. There are a couple that are reopened, but not many,” Kazenmayer said.
The streets all along the coastline were filled with sand, forbidding anyone from driving through, but actions have been taken to remove the blockage and the roads are now clear for travel.
Sophomore Emily Rathburn of Atlantic Highlands, who helped to prepare and distribute food soon after Hurricane Sandy hit, continues to volunteer her time to the relief effort, though less frequently.
“We’re still giving food and donating money to charities, but the situation in Atlantic Highlands has improved,” Rathburn said.
Senior Holly Hagman of Union Beach, whose home was seriously damaged during the storm, has finished most of her home’s repairs and is no longer staying with her aunt.
“We replaced most of our belongings,” Hagman said. “[My town] is still in a sad state and needs more help, though.”
As Hagman said, others have not noticed or experienced much change. David Applegate, a junior at Long Branch High School, agreed.
“I think everything’s [better] now, but the clean-up should have been completed already,” said Applegate. A frequent patron of the Long Branch Free Public Library, he noted the large number of people who visited the library immediately after the hurricane passed in order to sign up for FEMA assistance.
“I [go there] a lot, but I couldn’t even use the computers,” Applegate said. He added that he could not believe how greatly Sandy affected many people in his hometown.
The storm also affected many students who had summer jobs at businesses and restaurants that were destroyed. Junior Alex Cros worked at the Seagull’s Nest, a hotspot in Sandy Hook that is run by Cros’ mother, grandfather and uncle. The restaurant suffered damages to the inside of the building, like many other shore businesses.
While the outcome for Seagull’s Nest is less sure, students like Hagman are just adjusting to being home again.
“What really bothers [me] is not having the little things,” Hagman said. “It’s just silly things that you don’t realize you don’t have anymore, like salt and pepper shakers.”