Fire Island, the 30 mile barrier island off the southern coast of LI, has been absolutely devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Authorities are reporting that 12 homes were swept out to sea and a full 80% of residences have sustained some type of damage. At a press conference yesterday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced it could be a "long time" before residents are allowed to return home and Fire Island "will never be the same."
Suffolk County's Fire and Rescue team and the Air National Guard flew over the island yesterday to assess the extent of the damage and determine the best way to remove the 120 people that remained to ride out the storm.
While that damage assessment continues today, this video from News 12 provides a sobering portrait of what residents of Fire Island will be facing in the coming weeks and months.
· 12 houses swept away on flooded Fire Island, NY [WSJ]
· All Hurricane Sandy coverage [Curbed Hamptons]