Community Corner

Billions in Damage: Hurricane Sandy by the Numbers

Connecticut and other states in the northeast continue to rebuild after widespread destruction by Hurricane Sandy. These numbers convey just how much of an impact the weather had.

 

$50 billion: According to EQECAT, a firm that estimates storm damage, that’s the total cost of the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy throughout the country. Originally, they estimated total damage at $30 billion.

620,000: That’s the peak amount of power outages in Connecticut. Both United Illuminating and Connecticut Light & Power hope to restore electricity to most on Monday.

Find out what's happening in Weston-Redding-Eastonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

738: Connecticut has 738 polling places, and many were left in the dark, prompting concerns about the upcoming Nov. 6 election. Most, if not all, of the polling places are expected to have electricity by the time polls open.

74: Hurricane Sandy was blamed for the death of at least 74 people as of Friday, according to the New York Daily News. Three people were killed in Connecticut.

Find out what's happening in Weston-Redding-Eastonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

96 mph: The strongest gust of wind in the northeast was recorded in Eaton’s Neck, N.Y. Connecticut saw 85 mph gusts in Madison, according to the National Weather Service.  Speeds above 74 mph are considered hurricane strength.

1.1 percent: The Strategic Resource Group, a retail consulting firm, estimates that 1.1 percent of all holiday sales were lost due to the storm.

750: Generators were a valuable commodity this past week. Home Depot stores in the northeast recently received 750 truckloads of generators and other supplies.  

Correction: The firefighter worked in Easton, not Redding. 


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