When I have faced difficult situations, I noticed that others around me continued on with their normal life. Â My world felt upside down. Â How could day to day activities take place?
Yet, that’s exactly what we did after Sandy…and in the days since the awful events in Connecticut. I don’t believe it’s because we lack compassion- more that there is little we can do personally to change a tragedy. Â In fact that helplessness weighs on us. Â We want to help, but wonder how, or if our efforts would even be significant.
So I will hug my grandchildren later this week (ages 5 and 11), support a local charity with Sandy Relief, and pray for peace to replace sorrow…
P.S. One of my sisters posted this last night on Facebook. Â It really touched me:
Our town has a tradition of driving Santa around the town on a firetruck. Tonight was that night – and although our “kids” are grown – we still go out on the porch as we hear the sirens approach – and wave to Santa. Tonight though I found myself crying – for all of the families who’s lives are forever changed due to the events that have happened over the recent weeks. Especially the families in Connecticut – my children are the ages of those young teachers. It is beyond heartbreaking.
Flood Insurance- Maps
FEMA recently modified the flood zone designations and building height requirements for our area. These determinations were made prior to Sandy, yet are relevant as home owners look to renovate or rebuild their low lying structures.
Prior to the changes, it was rare to see a “V” zone classification in Avalon or Stone Harbor (typically limited to the inlet/ocean). Now, much of the bay area falls under the “V” classification, too.
Click on the interactive FEMA Website and enter your shore property address.  The results will display the proposed flood zone and building height requirements.
Quote from The Press of Atlantic City, Sunday 12/16/12:
“While these maps were released as information only, with final maps expected sometime this summer, municipalities can adopt the data into their zoning codes, said Ryan Pietramali, risk analysis branch chief for FEMA, on Friday. That could mean homeowners whose houses suffered damage during Sandy that totaled at least 50 percent of the building’s value may be forced to rebuild to new building codes, such as raising houses and rebuilding on driven piling”.