Hurricane Sandy

[Woman in front of a damaged home caused by Hurricane Sandy]; 2012, 2014.010.8; Michael Claro Hurricane Sandy photograph collection, 2014.010; Brooklyn Historical Society.

Where were you when Hurricane Sandy hit? The 2012 superstorm devastated homes, businesses, public transportation, and lives all throughout the region.  It’s been over two years since the storm, but the damage and memory of that event is not easily forgotten.

Teacher and photographer Michael Claro documented Hurricane Sandy through his lens, and donated the above photo, and seven others, to BHS’ Documenting Sandy collection initiative. Claro recalls worrying all night if his 100-year-old home in Bensonhurst would withstand the winds. He says, “The memory of waking up and immediately putting on the news to see Breezy Point on fire still gives me a sinking feeling in my stomach.”

The collection includes eight digital photographs documenting damage the day after the storm. Claro drove along the Belt Parkway toward Coney Island taking photographs along the way. About the above photograph, Claro says, “Finally I reached the beach. Damaged sea walls, ruined cars, age old landmarks destroyed, all of this seemed inconsequential when, as I looked out toward the ocean, I heard a woman’s voice breaking down to a loved one as she spoke on the phone close by. I turned to see this and, well…that about sums it up.”

This collection of digital images is newly processed and can now be accessed online. Check out all eight photographs online here.

Interested in seeing more photos from BHS’s collection? Visit our online image gallery, which includes a selection of our images. Interested in seeing even more historic Brooklyn images? Visit our Brooklyn Visual Heritage website here. To search BHS’s entire collection of images, archives, maps, and special collections visit BHS’s Othmer Library Wed-Sat, 1:00-5:00 p.m. photos@brooklynhistory.org