Residents of Coastal New York and New Jersey are still feeling the aftereffects of Sandy more than two months after the powerful storm left more than 100 dead with more than $71 billion in damage.
President Obama signed a $9.7 billion Sandy aid package last Sunday, and Congress will decide the fate of another $51 billion aid package next Tuesday.
According to Bob Hennelly, contributing editor for politics and investigations for Takeaway co-producer WNYC, aid delivery for victims of Sandy has taken six months longer than in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The waiting game is frustrating New York and New Jersey victims, including Sayreville, New Jersey resident, Richard Borero, a disabled veteran and father of five.
“I’m praying there’s not going to be another one. I’m praying I’m not going to be here for the next one because last year we got about four feet of water in basement; this year we’re looking at seven and a half,” Borero told Hennelly. “What’s it going to be next year? I can’t do it. One way or another I want out. I want out of here.”
Hennelly discusses the politics behind Sandy aid, and how victims are coping.