Part one in a series on how South Shore residents are coping in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. This week we begin in Bellmore-Merrick. In subsequent weeks we plan to spotlight recovery efforts in other communities. more

Hurricane Sandy was our worst nightmare realized. This monster storm packed as much energy as two World War II era atomic bombs, causing massive destruction, the likes of which had not been seen since the Long Island Express of 1938, a now legendary Category III hurricane. Trapped on an island jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, we were front and center when Sandy attacked with a vengeance. Thousands of homes were inundated with seawater and sewage. Hundreds were left uninhabitable. Two and a half years later, we continue to rebuild our tattered shoreline. In this series we will look in the coming months at the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery’s ongoing effort to reconstruct worst-case homes, businesses and communities that Sandy ravaged on Oct. 29, 2012 — and the myriad issues that residents and officials face as they piece together our shredded infrastructure. At the same time, we will look at state and local officials’ efforts to reinforce Long Island in the hope that we might be able to withstand nature’s fury better when the next monster storm hits. —Scott Brinton, senior editor more

Late last month, Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony Santino held a Town Hall meeting that gave residents the chance to speak to town officials in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. In addition to … more

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained as a result of Hurricane Sandy. more

Thousands of Long Islanders had their homes and property destroyed during Hurricane Sandy and are now left to pick up the pieces. Fortunately for all, several nation organizations have been working around the clock in recent weeks to lend a helping hand. more

It was Sunday night just before Halloween, and I was headed to the grocery store in an attempt to further put off my homework after neglecting it to dress up like a spaceman for the weekend. I … more

Nassau County is establishing a business recovery program to help with the reconstruction and recovery of businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. more

Those who have been displaced by Hurricane Sandy may get the chance to move back into their homes sooner rather than later after state and local officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced an emergency assistance plan Wednesday to aid homeowners. more

Weather forecasters are often criticized for being wrong. With Hurricane Sandy, we wish they had been. more

I always thought it was cliché to say, “I’ve never seen anything like it,” but in the aftermath of Sandy, I can honestly say that, in my lifetime, I’ve never seen anything like it. more