Rebuilding and Reinforcing After Hurricane Sandy

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the devastating storm that wreaked havoc last month, we're witnessing a surge in construction activities across the affected areas. Sandy's legacy is one of immense flooding, property damage, and heartbreaking loss of life. Like previous natural disasters, Sandy has indelibly altered the lives of countless individuals. Rebuilding in the aftermath of this disaster is a monumental task that's expected to span years and require billions of dollars. Despite the challenges, it's time to rise, overcome the adversity, and embark on the essential process of reconstructing the northeastern United States. This entails strengthening our infrastructure to withstand future natural disasters in the years and decades ahead.

Tom Jeffery, the chief hazard scientist at CoreLogic Inc., aptly describes this period as "the most adverse way you ever want to see positive growth." He emphasizes that a substantial percentage of damaged properties will undergo repair and restoration. CoreLogic, a real estate information service based in Irvine, California, estimates that the coastal areas hardest hit by Sandy are home to approximately 95,000 properties valued at around $40 billion. The surge of water inundated these areas, breaching levees, undermining foundations, and flooding basements.

The focus of the reconstruction extends beyond residential properties. Commercial structures, including walls and floors, as well as segments of the transit system, demand reinforcement and crack confinement. The saltwater intrusion from the storm is highly corrosive to steel components in these structures, compromising their structural integrity if not properly sealed and fortified. Here, HJ3 Civil composite systems play a crucial role in ensuring the long-term resilience of these vital infrastructures.

Alongside residential repairs, critical areas of construction will involve the installation of flood gates at sewage treatment plants and the reinforcement of underground water pipes and manholes. This is particularly vital for New York City's combined sewage system, which comprises older plumbing infrastructure vulnerable to overburdening during heavy rainfall. A mere quarter-inch of rain can overwhelm the system and lead to Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). HJ3's CarbonSeal industrial composite systems are instrumental in the structural strengthening of Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) and manholes, fortifying them against failures caused by the strain of aging infrastructure.

Sandy's immediate losses, exacerbated by the ferocity of its winds and storm surge, have dealt a severe blow to a nation already grappling with the aftermath of a recent recession. Nevertheless, the strength, resilience, and unity of the American people have been evident throughout history in times of tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those facing hardships, and we remain confident that a more robust, resilient populace, along with fortified infrastructure, will emerge from the challenges posed by Hurricane Sandy.

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Streets remain flooded after Hurricane Sandy on October 30, 2012 in Ocean City, New Jersey. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

This homeowner in New York's Lower East Side, cleans up after hurricane Sandy Oct. 31. (Amal Chen/The Epoch Times)

The Stronghold residential composite systems prevent walls from further bowing and confine cracks

HJ3's CarbonSeal systems structurally strengthen underground pipes and manholes preventing breaks or collapse

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