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John Makely / NBC News
John Dellorusso looks over his backyard which now contains the debris from a nearby restaurant. His home at right, was severely damaged, and his girlfriend refuses to return to the house.
John Makely / NBC News
The foundation and stairs are all that's left of George Dresch's house on Staten Island before it was wiped away by storm surge from Hurricane Sandy.
John Makely / NBC News
In John Dellorusso's yard a Halloween decoration sits amid the rubble from Hurricane Sandy.
John Makely / NBC News
Storm damage done to John Dellorusso's kitchen in Staten Island following Hurricane Sandy.
John Makely / NBC News
A statue stands where George Dresch's house once stood.
John Dellorusso lives in Staten Island on Yetman Avenue, next door to the Dresch family. George Dresch and his daughter Angela, 13, died when their home was flattened from Hurricane Sandy's storm surge, which sent over eight feet of water into the neighborhood. George's wife, Patricia, is reported to be in critical condition. George had been reluctant to leave his home because when they evacuated for Hurricane Irene, their home was looted while they were gone, according to Dellorusso.
George Dresch’s cousin, Tom Monigan, spoke about the devastation on the island: "To be down here and see this, I've seen a lot of storms…the streets used to get flooded, but this? Not in a million years, did I expect to see this. You can replace the stuff, but it's what happens to people, it changes their life forever and it's terrible. People are worried because they don’t have electricity? Jesus, this is the real deal right here."
The death toll in Staten Island reached 19 today, after the bodies of two children who had been missing were found. The boys, ages 2 and 4, were swept away from their mother’s arms Monday night after the car they were driving was swamped by flood waters.
John Makely / NBC News
Jane Caravello and her son Vincent look for personal items after the storm blew the roof off her home in Staten Island.
John Makely / NBC News
Jane Caravello pauses for a moment after wading into the flood water near her home.
Jane Caravello and her son Vincent waded into the waters near her house on Staten Island looking for personal items blown away after the roof was taken off during the storm. "Half of it’s down there and the other half is on Beach Ave," said Caravello. Many of her belongings were found spread over a couple of blocks, but she was unable to locate her photo album.
John Makely / NBC News
Veronica Janul carries salvaged clothing from her friend's house, Thursday on Kissam Avenue on Staten Island.
Story: Staten Island reels from devastation; bodies of boys ripped from mom's arms found
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Prayers are priceless. Doesn't mean anyone has an empty 'soles'.
Prayers come from those with a good Soul.
Hitler often prayed for people as well - Is that a joke? What did he pray for? to kill more people.
Skip the prayers - action and leadership are needed. It is incomprehensible and unforgivable that President Obama has returned to the campaign trail during this ongoing crisis. These people are suffering. Seriously, is there even a single person in this country who hasn't already heard his campaign message? How much does it cost to fly all over the place on Air Force One campaigning? That amount of money would go a long way in helping storm victims! He needs to be at his desk, not out joking around!... and, believe it or not, I'm an Obama supporter!
The REAL problem is that those IDIOTS on Staten Island lacked common sense and didn't evacuate despite the danger and the ample warnings given. If they cannot take personal responsibility for their own lives, then they literally screwed themselves over. Their ignorance left them the misfortune and the fault lies with the people of Staten Island that were hardheaded to wait out the storm instead of moving to safe ground, not the government.
actually, obama has been all over the east coast working with the governor of nj, talking to officials and assessing the damage. romney, however, has been having "victory events". read up on chris christie's evaluation of obama's handling of the crisis. he's been one of obama's biggest critics and has nothing but praise for him right now.
that said, these articles are the first i've heard about how devastated staten island was. all the news has been about the jersey shore and downtown manhattan. so incredibly sad.
In response to Marius LT "Americans you have to stop urbanizing seashores" dipstick, the city was established on the seashore by the Dutch yo and yo. It is what it is. What is needed is better infrastructure to deal with the likelihood that this will happen again. Not to "move" the city.
Obama was all over the place. Do you think he will stay forever? Does any elected official? And worse, it's sick that you use a tragedy like this to try and make a political point. The people of Staten Island were warned to evacuate and the injured or killed did not. That is the tragedy...and hopefully next time they take heed.
Looking at the photos I see that homes are close to the water. Americans you have to stop urbanizing seashores.
Nice comment after a tragedy. What a stupid thing to post. I guess there are no built up seashores anywhere else in the world?
I also want to blame the Weather Channel for their lack of concern for SI. They were more concerned with NYC in general and they forgot that small island and what the people could expect. Instead they were concern with main land (Long Island, Battery City, etc) and displaced the concern for the area that would be affected worst of all. I am from Staten Island (moved to South Carolina) and have yet heard from any of my family yet. I am lucky that my sister lives in New Jersey and was able to contact me thru her "ON STAR". As to the gentleman damning those of us who can't send money but only our prayers, don't blame us if "YOU" didn't properly insure your home with flood insurance or homeowners insurance. I lived thru Hurricane Hugo and had insurance coverage and money in the bank to make it. I live in a small town and many of us down here did not have power or phone for over 2 weeks and I didn't expect anyone other than myself to take care of my family. So don't complain if someone can only send their prayers - the money part should be your responsibility. And like so many others, blame others for your financial shortcomings.
I see that destroyed homes are near water. Americans should stop urbanizing seashores.
this is tragic, where is the military resources/manpower that can be deployed. congress is always asking for increased money to protect america. where is the national guards to serve and protect, they should already be on the ground with food and dry clothing and manpower.
wake up america your priorities are wrong. humanity must always come first, this was a perfect storm and there may be more to come. lets get our priorities right and the world will see us in a better light. still cannot forget katrina. winter is already here, lets move.
HarrisonTuanNguyen
Did you say the same thing about the folks in NO for Katrina, or were you one of the people who pointed the finger at Bush for their suffering?
Why isn't Obama getting the same heat? Why isn't he being called a racist who doesn't care about poor white people?
I feel for the victims of this storm but Staten Island isn't the only place where power is out, persons displaced, homes ruined and food/water is in short supply. These persons don't want to leave their homes and go to shelters. The governor and mayors warned power may not be restored for over a week before the storm hit so I am sorry but there is requirement for personal responsibility. Screaming at the TV camera that "we want our power back now" when you are no more (or no less) deserving in your community than those in other parts of the region who are suffering and waiting it out, working together as a community.
To all up North who have suffered loss, we in the south feel your pain and loss. Those of us who can come to help will and those of us who can send help will. Remember, this will pass and you WILL recover. We down here have faith that you all will. GOD bless you all.
People Made their choices, People lost their lives and their possesions. I don't care who's fault it was. I am oginally from Jersey City NJ. My family is lucky that we live/lived on one of the highest points in town. What remians of my family there is safe. There are many who are NOT. I will pray for them (I dont care if you think Im cheap or selfish) I will pray for the children and the old who cannot so easily pickup and move on. Who have lost all they knew. Those who survive will be stronger, Those who do not will meet the end that was chosen for them long ago. You don't have to believe any of this. Just Ignore the ranting and here the crys for help. If you can lend a hand, or a dollar or at least a prayer (to whomever you wish to pray to)
Pray for the children as they must face the rising waters yet to come
That is why people are coming down to North Carolina.