Year in Review 2012: Hurricane Sandy

The impact of Hurricane Sandy is still being felt for much of Long Island, and was devastating for much of the Town of Smithtown. Patch was up-and-running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing in-depth coverage from storm preparation to its aftermath. Here are the top stories from our Sandy coverage.

Overall Cleanup Process in Smithtown Could Take 3 Months

Smithtown’s Highway Department has encountered some unexpected things during the Hurricane Sandy destruction cleanup, a process they could be taking care of for the next three months. 

While numbers of power outages decreased across Long Island with LIPA crews working on restoration efforts out day and night, there were two towns in Suffolk that troubled LIPA – St. James and Port Jefferson.

Uncle Giuseppe's: Staying Open Through Hurricane a Humbling Experience

Uncle Giuseppe's on Route 111 has not closed throughout Hurricane Sandy, and according to Smithtown's store manager, the experience of serving locals throughout the disaster has been humbling.

Eateries Suffer Irreparable Losses from Power Outages

Businesses are back to operating regularly now that power has been restored in Smithtown after Hurricane Sandy, but the two weeks without it caused irreparable damage to some, specifically in the food industry. 

Smithtown Schools to Complete Full 180-Day Year

With word spreading of possible legislation allowing school districts to reduce the school year no more than 10 days due to Hurricane Sandy keeping kids at home, the Smithtown Central School District still plans to have kids in class for the full 180 day school year.

Locals Seeing Shorter Lines on First Morning of Odd-Even Gas Rationing

Lines for gas appeared noticeably shorter in Smithtown on Nov. 9 as the first day of temporary mandatory gas rationing went into effect.

With many residents in the Town of Smithtown without power, Patch compiled a list of the many businesses in the area that offered hot showers, coffee, bagels and more to locals in need. Here's a working list as of Tuesday morning with where you could go if you are in need.

Residents in need of ice and a charging station were able to head over to Smithtown Town Hall at 99 West Main Street.

Nissequogue River Concerns Smithtown Fire Department During Sandy

The Smithtown Fire Department expect areas along the Nissequogue River to be problematic during Hurricane Sandy and spent Sunday planning on how to battle flooding and potential blazes in those areas.

Smithtown Officials Eye Radio Plan After Communication Snags

Smithtown town officials have suggested the town consider starting an AM/FM radio station to improve its communication with residents due to problems after Hurricane Sandy.

Sandy Cleanup to Cost Smithtown More Than $5.3 Million

Town of Smithtown officials released a revised estimate of $5.3 million for Hurricane Sandy's cleanup, and they expect the cost to continue to climb over the upcoming weeks. 

Smithtown Officials: Sandy Does 'Double the Damage' of Irene

Smithtown officials are warning residents to be prepared for the long haul, as they expect cleanup from Hurricane Sandy to take weeks. John Valentine, director of Smithtown's Emergency Management Unit, said based on early estimates Hurricane Sandy did almost double the damage of Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.

When Superstorm Sandy knocked out power, Internet and phone to thousands in the Smithtown area, elected officials at all levels scrambled to communicate crucial info the public, often posting dozens of social media updates to inform residents left in the dark.

Smithtown Officials Decide Not to Declare State of Emergency

Smithtown officials did not declare a state of emergency for the Town of Smithtown as Huricane Sandy's winds battered Long Island. Staff member of the town's Emergency Management department said a state of emergency for the town has not been declared and no shelters have been opened in the local area.

While the weather has calmed down since Hurricane Sandy touched down, the wrath of it left much work for the Town of Smithtown's cleaning crews to take care of. Trees came down on top of cars and hit homes, power lines have been ripped down and trees are blocking many of Smithtown's roads.

Water Swallows Long Beach Road [Photos]

Long Beach Road residents were encouraged by the town to evacuate while Hurricane Sandy had its way with the town. If you live there and are still there you are stuck there as water as completely taken over the roadway.

Hurricane Sandy has taken down power lines, uprooted trees, and if you've been down to Long Beach since the storm you've seen what else it was capable of – capsizing and washing boats ashore.

PHOTOS: St. James a Mess of Downed Wires

While the Long Island Power Authority was on track to bring 90 percent of customers back online, the wait continued for the other 10 percent, which included many devastated neighborhoods in St. James.

WATCH: All Island Workers Removing Downed Trees in Town

Workers from All Island Excavating and Drainage, a St. James based commercial and residential excavating company, were hard at work throughout the Town of Smithtown taking down trees that sit atop power lines, disrupting the electricity to locals.

It's been said it's far better to have a neighbor who's near, than a brother who's far away, but in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Americans across the nation have proven to be the best neighbors and the strongest of families. AOL and Patch employees took an opportunity to pitch in, packing two tractor trailers worth of food, water and supplies in Dulles, VA, and Baltimore.