Hurricane Sandy knocked out power to 70 percent of Consolidated Edison customers in Mount Vernon when it hit the area Oct. 29. In some cases, power wasn't restored for two weeks.
"There are many properties that require our attention and we must prioritize and take the most serious conditions first," said a statement from the city in the storm's immediate aftermath. "Please be patient. We are working as hard as we can to restore normalcy to you and your family as soon as possible."
But the two weeks following Hurricane Sandy were anything but normal. Gas became scarce, and cars waited on lines on Sandford Boulevard for hours. Trick-or-treating on Halloween had to be postponed, as many street and traffic lights remained dark for over a week.
Many trees fell, some on houses, others on cars, causing property damage across the city. Community groups such as Habitat for Humanity and the Sisters of the Heart helped victims find food and shelter.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Mount Vernon and receive free news updates.