October 2012: HURRICANE SANDY

Hurricane Sandy was a Category 3 storm which struck the United States East coast on October 29, 2012 with the most devestating damage being throughout the New York and New Jersey regions.
Hurricane Sandy measured 900 miles across, generating winds approximately 115 miles per hour.
Other regions effected by Hurricane Sandy were as far reaching as the Appalacians, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Great Lakes region and Eastern Canada.
Property damage caused by Sandy on the East coast was $65 billion, only to be surpassed by the damge caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Life threatening toll: Death and Injury

The U.S. death toll resulting from Hurricane Sandy varies sources, but was aproximately 150, with the International death toll approximately 300.
In the New Jersey region alone, 650,00 homes were destroyed, 300,00 businesses were lost. Between New York and New Jersey 8.5 million customers lost power, some went without power for several days following the storm.

The iconic Jet Star roller coaster in Seaside Heights, New Jersey submerged in the Atlantic Ocean in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Common for many Sandy survivors was some form of short term distress or anxiety.
Severity of stress is impacted by duration of time and type of exposure each individual has experienced.
Many individuals’ distress or anxiety decreased after stressors such as transportation and power were resolved.

Long-term Psychological Impact

Depending on the severity of survivors’ exposure, some developed PTSD as a result to their trauma.
In the most heavily impacted areas of New York, New Jersey and Conneticut there were increased rates of diagnosed major depression.