The purpose of this section is to provide information and updates on all aspects of Sandy recovery. The intended audience for this section are Sandy survivors, elected officials, media, and the general public. You will find information about the Sandy Recovery Office’s mission, key recovery metrics, and links to other content for both New Jersey and New York.
About Us: The Sandy Recovery Office
In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy damaged hundreds of thousands of homes, forced tens of thousands of survivors into shelters and caused billions of dollars in damage to vital infrastructure systems including power transmission, transportation and water and sewage treatment facilities. As a direct result of the storm, 73 people in the U.S. lost their lives.
The SRO supports the mission of long-term disaster recovery through the Sandy Recovery Field Offices in Forest Hills, N.Y. and Eatontown, N.J. Recovery efforts take the form of projects to support the restoration of vital infrastructure, public facilities and services, rehabilitation and reconstruction of private and commercial properties, restoration of the economic base and coordination with voluntary agencies and administration of assistance to households and individuals.
In addition, the Sandy Recovery Office coordinates the efforts of multiple federal agencies providing support to ensure communities do not just rebuild, but become stronger and more resilient.
In August, 2013, the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy, issued by the President’s Sandy Recovery Task Force, mandated that federal agencies work collaboratively across all levels of government and the private sector to promote a regional and cross-jurisdictional approach to resilience. To address this mandate, the SRO has created the Sandy Recovery Infrastructure Resilience Coordination (SRIRC) group which serves as the primary facilitator for federal agency coordination on recovery/resiliency projects. The SRIRC includes federal partners as well as representatives of the states of Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, the City of New York and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
One of the most important mandates for the SRO is capturing lessons learned and best practices from our experience in managing the recovery from one of the largest U.S. disasters to hit a densely populated area. From this experience, we will develop templates to serve future disaster recovery operations.
“We are here for the long haul and committed to finishing the work begun right after Sandy hit. Through the SRO, FEMA and the family of federal agencies, together with our state and local government and voluntary agency partners, continue to help disaster survivors, whether individuals or communities, rebuild stronger and more resilient."
SRO Executive Director Laura Phillips
Hurricane Sandy: By the Numbers
(as of 08/25/14)
| Assistance Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Assistance to disaster survivors* | More than $1.4 billion |
| Assistance to state, local and tribal governments | Nearly $5.3 billion |
| Hazard Mitigation grants | Nearly $139 million |
* Represents approved FEMA Individual Assistance grant funding for disaster survivors in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.
Learn More About the Recovery Efforts
The Sandy Recovery Office provides a coordinated and resilient approach to rebuilding. Learn more about the recovery efforts in the following states:
As part of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 FEMA is also providing information on the following:
Public Assistance Grant Awards
For Those Who Want to Help
FEMA has been collaborating with many national, state, tribal, and local partners in response to Hurricane Sandy, including the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Learn more on how you can donate and volunteer responsibly to assist the survivors of Hurricane Sandy.
For Press/Media
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News releases:
- Fact Sheet: Hurricane Sandy Recovery Efforts One Year Later