14 years after Sandy, I still remember the night the lights went out
It was 14 years ago tonight.
Superstorm Sandy came ashore, and the lights went out across New Jersey. For a lot of us, they stayed out for days. For some, weeks.
If you lived through it, you probably remember exactly where you were. I was at the station, with a sleeping bag and a case of bottled water.
The night Sandy changed New Jersey forever
The center of the storm made landfall in Brigantine, but the worst devastation hit Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Winds topping 80 mph, high tides and a full moon made for a perfect storm of destruction. The surge flooded neighborhoods, swept away homes (and at least one roller coaster) and brought down trees and power lines across the state.
Every part of New Jersey felt Sandy one way or another. Here are a few of my memories from those days.
Broadcasting through the storm
My home and the radio station were far enough inland that we didn’t sustain any real damage.
But I’ve always felt for my wife and kids during the big weather events we’ve covered at New Jersey 101.5. As radio hosts, we’re a bit like first responders. We need to be here for our audience in a crisis.
That often means leaving our own families in the dark, literally, listening to us on the air along with hundreds of thousands of other New Jerseyans.
Time and again, listeners told us that while the power was out, New Jersey 101.5 and nj1015.com were their lifeline.
When big events happen, we all know where we need to be. It’s in our blood. The team here always steps up, no questions asked. Everyone knows their role: help our listeners.
Sleeping bags, snacks and breaking news
As with every major storm, we came prepared. Pillows, sleeping bags, snacks, you name it. We were ready to stay for days.
On Sunday, Oct. 28, we kicked off wall-to-wall coverage. It was supposed to be our “Monster Hits Weekend,” a Halloween music weekend full of No. 1 songs and spooky favorites.
The music took a back seat fast. Big Joe Henry turned into a full-fledged newsman, updating listeners on evacuations, road closures and the latest briefings from Gov. Chris Christie (R).
Fourteen years later, we’ve got another Halloween music weekend coming up, Halloween Hits Weekend, starting Friday night. This time, I’m hoping it’s nothing but the music.
SEE ALSO: Sandy was 14 years ago — are we still paying attention?
A run on bottled water
One of the early stories Big Joe reported was the run on bottled water across New Jersey.
I’d stopped at a supermarket in Pennsylvania on my way in and, guilty as charged, stocked up. But it was all for the station crew: water, cereal, bread, milk, soup, frozen meals.
It turned out to be a smart move. Local supermarkets were closed for days with no power.
The governor blew in
The offices and studios became bedrooms. The conference room turned into a living room.
Then, just as the storm came ashore that evening, Christie himself blew into the station. Literally. We opened the front door, and a huge gust of wind followed him in.
We already had “Ask the Governor” scheduled that night. When we asked if he still wanted to do it, he said there was no place he’d rather be.
Before, during and for weeks after Sandy, there was only one topic on New Jersey 101.5: the storm.
Sandy was a powerful reminder of Mother Nature’s strength, and of radio’s ability to serve its community when it matters most.
Fourteen years later, hurricane season still comes around every June. Sandy taught us not to wait.
I’ll never forget it.
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Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF
