Death and Destruction in the Rockaways

This is all that remains from 'The Harbor Lights Pub', a staple of the Rockaway community. Click on all photos to enlarge them.

On-the-Ground Source Confirms NYPD Special Ops Units Retrieved Bodies of At Least Two Homeowners

A FROM THE G-MAN EXCLUSIVE

An extremely credible source, who also happens to be a lifelong resident of the Rockaway community, contacted From The G-Man earlier today and provided the following information and photos. 

Instead of attempting to recap the series of events, an editorial decision was made to publish the statement in its entirety. 

From The G-Man believed it would be best to simply step back and allow the story to be told from the standpoint of a pained member of the shattered  community.  

Dear Editor, 

I have enclosed additional storm damage pictures. These were taken between Beach 121st and Beach 134th Street and show the following: home damage, loss of the entire boardwalk from Beach 116th to Beach 126th Street, and how the storm surge tore portions of the boardwalk off its moorings and pushed sections of it down the block, in some cases-slamming it into houses. 

In addition, benches that were bolted to the boardwalk were found as far as four blocks away, as they were ripped from their bases and pushed by the surge.

Hundreds of homes that faced the ocean have suffered damage extensive enough to cause home demolition, and NO ONE on the west end of the peninsula escaped unscathed. 

The water rose as high as five feet in the street, from approximately 5:30 p.m. until past 7:30 p.m., submerging all cars that were parked in the street, on sidewalks, or in driveways. 

All homes with basements suffered major flood damage, and those without a basement had severe flood damage to the first floor of their homes. 

In at least two cases, NYPD Special Ops Unit Officers were called upon to put on SCUBA gear to dive into flooded basements and retrieve the bodies of homeowners. 

At least six people were arrested for looting at a strip mall on Rockaway Beach Boulevard between Beach 82nd and Beach 90th Streets, where a Radio Shack, sneaker store and clothing store were entered unlawfully.

More than a dozen homes in Rockaway Park and Belle Harbor were burned to their foundations when fire spread unchecked on Beach 129th Street, next to St. Francis DeSales Church and on Beach 130th Street. Unfortunately, the fire department could not get to the homes on fire due to extensive flooding. 

The following picture shows the foundation of a home burned to the ground.

"The storm surge tore portions of the boardwalk off its moorings and pushed sections of it down the block."

The remnants of Hurricane Sandy are prominently displayed throughout the peninsula.