Nearly three weeks after Superstorm Sandy hit the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut coastline with an unprecedented combination of wind and storm surge, public-private teams have largely dealt with power outages and flood emergencies and now are turning their attention to damage in infrastructure and to longer-term restoration, debris cleanup, structural assessments and housing for the thousands who were displaced.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which says it tapped many of its 3,000-plus staff in the North Atlantic Division, along with nearly 1,000 from other locations since the storm hit on Oct. 29, reported on Nov. 20 that it had completed unwatering at 14 key sites, removing more than 275 million gallons using 162 pumps with help from local authorities and contractors. The Corps also said that 35 debris teams assisting officials in hard-hit New York and New Jersey municipalities have removed 59,422 cu yd of debris. On Nov. 15, the division awarded three task orders totaling $92 million for debris removal in New York City to Burlingame, Calif.-based Environmental Chemical Corp. A Corps official says ECC will hire local subcontractors to perform most of the work.