Our city is counting its losses—and counting its blessings. In Park Slope, Brooklyn we are grateful that the storm’s damage was fairly  minimal. But close by, in other Brooklyn neighborhoods, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island,  Long island and New Jersey, the storm’s toll has been catastrophic.

Many are dead (36 in the Tri-State area alone), Lower Manhattan remains without power, the great New York City subway system is shut down due to flooding, eighty houses in Breezy Point, Queens burned to ashes and millions of households in the Tri-State area are without electricity and water. The damage to the Northeastern rail system is crippling activity in  many states.

My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones. My heart goes out to those who are homeless now. My heart goes out to those who are struggling without electricity and water.

And so we begin to rebuild. And we must rebuild according to the changing realities of weather patterns and climate change. What is daunting is the “new normal” of extreme weather in a city unused to such conditions.

Once again, Lower Manhattan is in crisis. Certainly this brings back memories of 9/11. That was also a time when we recognized the heroism of first responders. With gratitude, we again thank first responders and rescue workers for all they did and continue to do during and after Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy.

Our city in ruins, our subway stilled, we begin the process of rebuilding and rethinking. It will take strength and patience and the ability to build smart into the future.