Avalon, New Jersey - post Sandy
This picture is the North End of Avalon, New Jersey on Tuesday October 30, 2012. I grew up in Avalon in the summer as a Philadelphia kid. While it looks bad, reality is the dunes seem intact and in comparison to the 1962 hurricane which took away 7 blocks of Avalon, this seems pretty good. Pre-Sandy, Avalon starts on 8th Street due to the 1962 hurricane. Avalon was just south of Hurricane Sandy's eye which is typically the good side to be on. Seaside Heights to the north did not fare as well.
Here in New York City, the isolation of damage is similar. Francesco Rulli the Founder of Film Annex lives in "Zone 1" near the Brooklyn Bridge and he and his family are without power. Uptown at 91st and Third Avenue, we saw little damage other than a two or three trees down on our walk with Dustin Sweeney yesterday down Fifth Avenue next to Central Park, which is closed, but that is probably due in part to the preparation for the New York City Marathon. My wife Katie is volunteering, not running, in the Marathon this year.
Last night our friends from Downtown stayed with us as they also lost power on Avenue C in the East Village. Ten year old Helen was upset that she was going to have her Halloween disrupted by the storm/power outage. Both her Dad and I told her this could be the greatest Halloween ever as she could really pick up the spirits of my Autistic son Dustin. He does not get to hang out with many girls as Autism is 80+% diagnosed in boys. Assuming their power stays out today, Helen and Dustin now plan on trick or treating in our building together.
Having an Autistic son and now working with Roya Mahboob and Fereshteh Forough who are the Co-founders of the Afghan Citadel Software Company, it has taught me how to persevere and stay focused on the task at hand. As women in the Afghan business world, they have had to deal with tragedy far greater than hurricanes. This weekend, Fereshteh begins a new journey in her life as she moves to New York City to study for her graduate degree.
To my friends at the Jersey Shore and downtown Manhattan, good luck as you dig out as picture perfect days are ahead:
