October 29 is the day we remember those who were affected by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey, with some of the victims still trying to recover from damages. On the five year anniversary this year, a storm hit the Northeast, leaving many in fear that the storm would be as big as Hurricane Sandy. Tricia McAvoy, a resident who was affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and health problems due to Hurrican Sandy, was interviewed by a New Jersey publication.

“I don’t call it an anniversary, because an anniversary is a happy thing,” McAvoy said. “I just call it five years after the storm.”

The people that are trying to get back on their feet from the hurricane are still working through the program to rebuild and elevate their homes, dealing with insurance nightmares and financial disaster from draining their life savings to pay for repairs or temporary housing. Many were also left with health problems both emotionally and physically. Respiratory problems caused by mold in flooded homes and PTSD are just a few origins of these problems. Remembering the traumatic experiences, especially on the anniversary, leave sadness, anxiety, sleep difficulties and appetite loss for many. Michael Schwartz, president and founder of Hometown Heroes, was interviewed by Accuweather.

“Most of those affected are facing devastating financial hardships and then spiral into an emotional and mental place that seems to have no end,” Schwartz said.

Tropical storm Philippe hit the Northeast on Sandy’s anniversary, which caused major blackouts across the entire region. Even though it wasn’t expected to become a hurricane, it brought the region very heavy rain, flash floods and damaging winds. Richard Thompson, resident in New Jersey wrote about the storm in a CBS article.

“Of course Mother Nature is taking another shot at us today,” Thompson said. “This storm obviously won’t be anywhere near what Sandy was, but it would have been nicer to have a sunny day today.”

Now, the Northeast region is preparing for the next big hurricane that could hit whenever. They are upgrading the management of the flooding by building a seawall, bulkheads and adding sand dunes. They also rebuilt the Rockaway Boardwalk that was destroyed in Hurricane Sandy to make a barrier against residential areas. They also are changing infrastructure by rehabbing the water tunnel that runs from Brooklyn to Staten Island and repairing and upgrading the subway tunnels. Even though climate change can be made less severe, it can’t be stopped and these tropical storms, hurricanes and increases in sea level will only get more common and more damaging to the region.