The city Office of Emergency Management is adding high water markers in Coney Island to raise awareness of the dangers coastal storms can cause, almost five years after Superstorm Sandy flooded the area.
On Oct. 29, 2012, Sandy turned the area into what witnesses describe as a desolate area. Flooding damaged buildings, destroyed cars, and knocked over a lot of other things in its path.
The foul weather cut off access to the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island building. The structure served multiple nonprofit programs and service providers, and it wasn't until the next day that people could return and find the extent of the storm's devastation.
Ceilings and walls collapsed. Workers say everything inside was destroyed. It took 18 months to complete renovations. Now, the JCC has implemented programs to help nonprofit organizations prepare for emergency and disaster situations.
The high water markings are just shy of 6 feet tall, but the JCC building, which partially sits underground, saw water even higher inside.