October 29, 2012 Hurricane Sandy a category 2 made landfall in New Jersey. Sandy had + 96 mph winds and a 6ft-8ft storm surge. Force winds extend 175 miles out from Sandy’s eye, making it much larger than most storms. Before the storm hit many of residence were without power due to sever winds and rain. Many people did not know how to prepare for such a storm in the North East states. Hurricane Sandy weakened to a post-tropical cyclone in the evening before it hit the southern coast of New Jersey. (CNN) This disaster was not just a Hurricane it was labeled a “Super Storm”.
Hurricane Sandy collided with an already powerful winter storm. With both of these powerful storms colliding a positive after math was not an option. New Jersey had a severe storm surge that exceeded 13 feet. Super Storm Sandy was the second costliest storm in the History of the United States. (Livescience) Hurricane Sandy took many lives not only in New Jersey, but also in the Caribbean, Haiti and Cuba. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studies stated that at least 117 lives were taken during hurricane Sandy. This storm also had displaced thousands of people from their homes and businesses.
Victims drowning were a big percentage for the deaths during this storm. Trauma from being crushed, cut, and struck was the second leading deaths. Carbon-monoxide took 7 percent of lives during this hurricane. (Livescience) Although this hurricane traveled across eight nations, every nations experience was different. Depending on which side of the storm you were on and how far away from the storm you were. Surrounding states such as, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island were states that had taken affect from the Storm.
A substantial amount of rain and wind surrounded these states. Hurricane Sandy did not cause any deaths to the surrounding states. During a sever Hurricane as Sandy many victims and family member seek out Mental health care. A hurricane can cause a lot of depression and anxiety. The metal- health toll in New Jersey was at a high due to all of the catastrophic damages that they endured. The likelihood of individuals developing severe psychological condition after a disaster is very common. Many people endure death, the loss of a home or business, and the loss of family.
In New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut there was a 25 percent increase in diagnoses of depression within 6 weeks following the storm. That is about 540,000 people that were diagnosed. People that experienced life- threatening situation during this catastrophic storm were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with is a major depressive disorder. (livescience) Many people overlook medical help when in such a crisis. Victims that have experience a significant amount of damage are usually just looking for shelter, food, and water.
People that refuse to find proper medical help usually will end up hospitalized due to the amount of stress and anxiety. (livescience) Medical Professionals that are volunteers or even work at a hospital, clinic, or physician office were overwhelmed with the amount of patients that need treatments. Many states in the United States sent extra equipment, professionals, and medical vehicles to transport seriously ill patients. Patients that were hospitalized were taken to other states by plane, trains, and buses. A lot of Southern states that went through Katrina were able to help and prepare for the after math of the Hurricane. livescience) Organizations from everywhere were helping victims and professionals in New Jersey and surrounding areas.
The American Red Cross initially mobilized more than 1,000 disasters communities up and down the East Coast. The local Red Cross in these areas was providing housing and shelters to the people in need. The Salvation Army deployed mobile feeding units to seven states to serve thousands of meals. The Salvation Army worked with the local emergency management officials to determine where help was needed the most. (Heritage 2013)
Staten Island went almost five days without Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) due to funding. Once funding was given to FEMA, FEMA was able to take charge and provide proper federal emergency assistance. Due to FEMA not having a clean track record the U. S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) gave FEMA rules and regulations to follow: • Clearly defined recovery roles and responsibilities • Effective coordination and collaboration among recovery agencies • Periodic evaluation of, and reporting on, the recovery progress.
National Guard and Coast Guard were in New Jersey and surrounding states before and after the Hurricane Sandy hit. Military protection was needed to protect victims and personal item that were left before and after the storm. Not only were they there to protect, they were also there to save drowning people and help transport victims in the hospitals. The Coast Guard was responsible for rescuing 14 people stranded. Even though the Coast Guard does not have access to unlimited resources they still made a tremendous effort and were able to help when needed. (Heritage 2013)
State Defense Forces (SDF) played an important role in this disaster Hurricane Sandy. These forces are made up of volunteers from local and state communities and are composed of retired service members, and reservists, along with other professionals, such as doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, and engineers seeking to help and give back. These volunteers were able to help to emergency situations with the medical professionals. Victims were able to receive proper and fast care. Victims were able to receive medications that were needed and wound care from volunteer physicians and pharmacist.
Nongovernmental organizations such as the United Way, New York Cares, American Red Cross, Local Churches and Safety Sue were a tremendous help to Hurricane Sandy victims. (Heritage 2013) After almost 3 years since Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey and surrounding states they are still feeling the effects. Many people are still trying to rebuild what they lost as far as homes and business. People are still battling with insurance companies and government assistant for help with financial issues, due to the storm.
Out of one million people is New Jersey about 100,000 people experienced significant damage to personal homes or business. (Publichealth) According to the Sandy Child and Family Health Study just in New Jersey the rate of severe mental distress illness is at a high, the illness as increased 27 percent since Hurricane Sandy. Health professionals say mold played a significant part with both asthma and metal health. PTSD is another illness that has had a huge increase even after almost three years people are still being diagnosed with this illness. (Publichealth)
Health care facilities are still dealing with Hurricane Sandy. Not only are the mental facilities feeling the after math, so are physician offices. Many people denied emergency services after and before the storm and now looking for professional help. People in New Jersey and surrounding states are still looking for treatment and receiving treatments for the problems that occurred during Sandy. Due to people not being prepared for this catastrophic event, many people went months without out proper medication and treatments. So many people are still recovering mentally and physically after years after Sandy.
