But like many New York state and New Jersey residents, Breezy Point homeowners view FEMA's flood elevation map data as a critical factor before they take their next step, Lopresti-Niebel says. Two versions of the maps have been released since January. The deadline for a third "preliminary" map, which is expected to be a close approximation of the final version that is scheduled to be released in early 2014, was recently extended until later this month, she says.

"The wait continues," Lopresti-Niebel says. "One of the things we have been frustrated about is that things don't move fast." She says she understands that the government is moving as fast as it can. However, she adds, "this is very personal to us. We are out of our homes .... All this community wants is to get back home."

School District Works on Mitigation Modes

The Long Beach City School District (LBCSD) may have been the hardest-hit New York school district during Sandy, says Michael DeVito, COO of the district. Even compared with other devastated Long Island districts in Island Park, Oceanside and Lawrence, as well as New York City’s Rockaways and Staten Island areas, LBCSD’s damage was extensive, he says.

“It is costing the district about $40 million to $45 million to clean up, dispose of, repair and reconstruct all school buildings,” DeVito says. Students returned to school two weeks after Sandy, but not necessarily to their own classrooms, since they were moved around as space became available.

The district—which includes elementary schools, a middle school, a pre-K school, high schools and an administration building—is working on a mitigation program with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, DeVito says. It is also taking preventative measures in the event of another storm, including raising boilers and mechanical equipment to higher ground and installing water-resistant materials in classrooms. Workers are beginning reconstruction work, he adds.

Each building will be bid out separately to four prime contractors, DeVito says. At press time, all but two bids had been awarded.

HHC Hospitals Mull Long-Term Treatment

Some New York City hospitals that needed emergency treatment following Superstorm Sandy last October are awarding contracts and mulling long-term plans. These include the Health and Hospitals Corp.’s (HHC) Bellevue, Coney Island and Coler-Goldwater hospitals—all badly damaged by severe flooding and all considering whether and how to move critical equipment from basements to higher floors.

Both Bellevue and Coler-Goldwater are 100% back in service, says Ian Michaels, an HHC spokesman. But the electrical systems at Coney Island’s Main and Tower buildings were destroyed, he says. Work is under way to build a small platform outside the Main building for storage of a new replacement system.

HHC recently awarded Arcadis and Parsons Brinckerhoff separate on-call contracts, with a combined value of no more than $5 million. Peter Glus, Arcadis project director, says the firms are providing flood-proofing and engineering services and studying “multiple lines of defense.” These include perimeter and building hardening and adding on-site equipment to manage leaks and heavy rainfall.

Separately, HHC is working with BASE Tactical Disaster Recovery to conduct a mechanical, electrical and plumbing study for its hospitals. The aim is to determine which at-risk equipment and systems are critical and to develop a plan to either move or harden them.