One year ago, Hurricane Sandy crashed into our coast, killing 285 people, leaving millions without power, and wrecking thousands of homes and lives in the process. Estimates, as of June 2013, assess damage to have been over 68 billion dollars, a total surpassed only by Hurricane Katrina.

Last week, officials announced that more than $2 billion from the U.S. will be sent to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to fund homeowners and businesses recovering from Sandy. This means that even a year later, people still remain homeless, and jobless due to the storm.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg plans to tour the city and see the repair in progress, including a dune installation in Staten Island, and tidal gate installation in the Rockaways, and the Coney Island Creek.

The city is expressing it’s gratitude to MTA customers, who suffered disruptions to their commutes for months following the storm, by sponsoring free rides for certain A and R train riders.

As a resident of the Rockaways, I remember having to live almost a week in my house, with no power, heat, or hot water. It’s a time in my life that I will never forget.