The storm knocked out electricity for well over 100,000 customers across the region, leaving many homes and businesses in the dark.

A New York City housing‑authority worker died when a tree fell on Saturday during the storm.

In Sea Bright, New Jersey, each high tide flooded the town again and again; one resident said her garage filled with about a foot of water.

Residents said the damage was less severe because post‑Sandy building rules now require homeowners to raise their houses, and many people used sandbags to protect their homes and businesses.

These experiences show that updated building codes and simple actions like sandbagging can lessen flood damage, offering a clear lesson for coastal communities preparing for future storms.