Resilience: Lessons from Hurricane Sandy
The hurricane Sandy was predicted three days earlier and announcements made by the mayor of New York. The subway system was closed down and major highways were shut too. This was to prevent any major disaster happening since the officials knew that the New York transport system would not withstand the impacts of the catastrophe. The subway system is 108 years old and has never met such conditions as hurricane sandy presented (Shah, 2012). The subway system in the flooded within hours of the hurricane and efforts to make it usable might last up to four days. There is an urgent need for the infrastructure in New York to be updated to withstand such conditions. As a result, the transport system of New York will cripple the economy of the city since most dwellers depend on the bridges and subway to reach their places of work.
The people of New York show resilience in the height of a disaster that had never been experienced in the city. Stories told of people showing up to work after the storm demonstrates special dedication and determination to move on despite the non-functional city transport system. In addition, despite the power shortage that left many in need of heat, many walked to the donation centers and stood in line for quilts and blankets (Shah, 2012). This shows how the people of New York choose to fight on despite unforgiving conditions.
In conclusion, the governor of New York City would have made efforts to be better prepared for the storm to come. Rationing of gas and other essential amenities would have made it easier for the people of New York to transit from this disaster (Shah, 2012). These are issues to be addressed, learnt, and implemented by the planning committee of the city and the United States at large.
