On October 28th, 2012, Super Storm Sandy tore through the Jersey Shore, destroying almost everything in its path. Coming up is the one year anniversary of this natural disaster, and people affected are remembering and still recovering from that terrible day. Especially the people of Union Beach, a small town in New Jersey devastated by Sandy, who are still not back in their houses, even after a year.

Union Beach was completely destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. Now with only approximately 2,000 citizens left, everyone just wants to return back to their homes. Recently, people have been finding more mold in their houses, forcing them to rip their homes apart or have them knocked down.

One year since the storm, and people are still having problems moving back into their homes. “I’m still waiting to hear back from insurance,” reports Angela Conover, a resident of Union Beach who lost her house. Many people are also complaining about requirements to get help from Habitat for humanity and to qualify for grants. “If you have children, you would never be able to reach those requirements,” reports a Union Beach Resident, who’s been living with family members since last year “I just want to return to my normal life.”

However, residents of Union Beach are showing that they are stronger than the storm. The color of the town is blue, and every house affected by the storm has a blue ribbon or blue light on their front porch. Another great achievement for the people of Union Beach was the reopening of Union Beach Memorial School in September. Just as the residents say, you can see that they are indeed, “UB STRONG”.