Hurricane Sandy Affects the Biggest City and Smallest Towns

A massive storm that at one time in its short lifespan was nearly half the size of the United States, Hurricane Sandy ripped its way up the Eastern Seaboard in late October of 2012 and caused a lot of grief and wonderment at the same time.

What made this storm unlike any other hurricane seen in modern history was not only its massive size, but also its aim and the fact that it merged with another storm and created a tropical, warm water hurricane with several arms of blizzard activity.

The damage was extensive, especially in the New York Tri-State area where the storms path was directly aimed. What was interesting about the damage done, was that viewers -- and those who experienced it -- were privy to a view of what a monster storm does to the largest, most inhabited city in the United States, and also to rural areas populated with farmhouses that were sometimes three centuries old.

Interestingly enough, both Urban and Rural areas saw similar effects of the hurricane. Staten Island, which is not as urban an area as Lower Manhattan, took the brunt of the storm, somewhat shielding the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan.

Now that the storm has passed, the cleanup begins. Cleanup efforts have been slow in their early stages, mostly due to the lack of supplies, power, gas, and other necessities.

Companies and individuals in the states unaffected by Sandy have been quick to extend their help in any ways possible. Volunteering services, donating relief funds, sending supplies, sending building materials and sending roofing products to aid in the cleanup and construction efforts.

For more on Sandy's effects, rescue and cleanup efforts and other information, visit the official Sandy website at:

FEMA.gov/Sandy