On October 29, 2012, New York City came face to face with Hurricane Sandy. The storm had spent the previous seven days building strength across the Caribbean and working its way up the Atlantic Ocean, ultimately making landfall near Atlantic City, NJ. The storm winds stretched 1,000 miles from end-to-end, three times greater than a normal hurricane. These winds contributed to the damage in Coney Island, which is just 124 miles from Atlantic City.

Due to its massive size, the hurricane created an unexpected storm surge that raised the water levels across the entire East Coast, stretching from Florida to Maine. The tri-state area saw the worst of the storm surge, with New York City being one of the locations that suffered the greatest impact, due to the storm’s timing — at high tide and during a full moon. As it approached the tri-state area, the strong winds shifted from blowing southward to northwestward, adding more water to the already high surge and pushing it directly into the southern coastline of New York City, which includes Coney Island. Because Coney Island is a peninsula, the area also saw water rise from the north, along Coney Island Creek. 

Each year, approximately 1,487 million gallons of stormwater and 290 million gallons of sewage runoff into Coney Island Creek. As a result of the creek’s overflow during Sandy, homes, and businesses were inundated with sewage waste, in addition to the already damaging saltwater from the ocean. The toxic combination of salt water and sewage damaged property, which needed to be thrown away because of bacterial contamination; anything salvageable needed to be thoroughly disinfected.  

The flooding in New York City exceeded any estimated, once-in-a-lifetime flood plans. Flooding in the Coney Island peninsula reached 11 feet above ground level. Almost every establishment in Coney Island was impacted in some way. Cars and buildings were flooded down to Neptune Ave, which is about half a mile from the boardwalk. Coney Island Hospital, which is about .3 miles past Neptune Ave, experienced knee-deep water, which shut down the facility’s boilers and power. The damage caused the hospital to remain closed for months.

Close to 50,000 homes in the Coney Island area were made uninhabitable by the storm. Coney Island is historically a low-income neighborhood with numerous mom-and-pop businesses; many had a difficult time rebuilding their lives. Many establishments never reopened. 

Coney Island USA’s General Manager, Patrick Wall, waited out the storm in the building 1208 Surf Avenue. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, he reflects on his experience before, during, and after the storm. He would like to extend his gratitude to all the supporters, friends, and fans who helped get Coney Island USA ready to open again.