Hurricane Sandy hit Irish neighborhoods in New York and New Jersey hardest

My heart truly goes out to all those who were severely hit and killed, and whose property was ruined, by Sandy. My deepest and most heart-felt condolences go out to them, the victims of that tragic storm, and their families. God bless, and may all three communities bounce back and rebuild! Though if I might add ((at the risk of coming across as rude and improper)), Squantum, this coastal peninsula/neighborhood found in the northern part of Quincy, Massachusetts, and which juts out in both Boston and Quincy Bays, has been listed as the MOST IRISH neighborhood, on this per capita basis, in the United States, with at least 60% of its residents claiming Green genes ((and most of whom hail from either South Boston or Dorchester, two very, very famous and prominent Irish-American strongholds!)). Yes, I believe that Squantum is number ONE ((both literally and symbolically!))! Check it out on wiki! Squantum it is!!! All the best!

Scrivner - I am afraid that it is not good. I just saw on MSNBC that they found the bodies of a 2 children and an elderly couple this morning. Apparently many of the NY deaths occured on the Island. They are going door to door looking for survivors but much of the Island is still impassible. Today's Huffington Post has an article about the Island's devastation. Our prayers for your friends and all those caught up in this as well as their families.

Can anyone tell me what the situation on Staten Island is? Have not heard from friends who live there and am concerned. They are both Irish-American, he is retired NYPD, they lost enough people on 9/11, and do not need more suffering.

This story is inaccurate, unfortunately. These sensational pieces don't serve any communities well. Kathy O'Neill (West Orange, NJ native)

To the people of the east coast of all backgrounds I send my condolences to the people who lost their lives & a speedy recovery to the afflicted & homeless.

Celtick8c - My wife and I LOVE Wildwood and Cape May City. Congratulations on the survival of your pier. We were both relieved to see the amazing pictures of how well the tip of the peninsula fared because it was to the left of the eye and the strongest winds on that side were blowing out to sea much of the time. Everyplace to the right of the eye got hammered with storm surge. Cape May City's concrete sea wall like Charleston's battery walk and New Orleans' Riverwalk may be what the whole Jersey Shore has to use to rebuild since it has now lost its protective sand dunes. Had it been a bit longer, Cape May might have avoided the bit of water the city did take on. As these neighborhoods rebuild they need to take lessons from their more experienced southern counterparts and be ready for what Governer Cuomo pointed out is a "storm of the century" now happening EVERY year. Our prayers are with ALL of those hit by this storm in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and parts of Canada as well as New Jersey, New York, Haiti and Cuba. A 1000 mile wide storm cuts a wide swath of damage.

What idiot decided to break down this storm to Irish neighborhoods? Will the Irish be treated differently than the others? I am Irish and in the center of the storm.

hjfarmer, I suppose I'm what Americans would call a liberal, but I wouldn't want anything to do with Cillowen's moronic comment.

There is an Irish neighborhood at the NJ Shore that got VERY Lucky. I'm fortunate to be writing to you from the living room at my home in North Wildwood, NJ. My heart breaks for those who have lost so much,and makes me appreciat all the more my little home by the sea. I will be contributing to the Red Cross where 91 cents of every dollar goes directly to the cause. Along with our first responders the red cross runs in when everyone else is running out.

The best Irish in the world are in the Rockaways and Breezy

Eamonn12, have you been there? Have you seen their St. Paddy's day parade? Been to any of the pubs? I have been to all three neighborhoods, summered in one and live in Rockaway for nine years. You are very WRONG.

Terrible tragedy but I agree with MOTOPAC. These are not Irish neighborhoods at all.

How ironic, and an understatement, that the place is called 'Breezy Point'.

Retired and liveing in South FL. We learned to prep. for this kind of weather... With a Huricane Chest and a full tank of gas..Back when we lived in the Adirondacks, we were prepaired for Ice storms and Blizzards..

I don't think the storm set out to discriminate. I doubt Hurricane Sandy could tell the difference from an Irish or a Scot or a Brit or an African or an Asian or Native American. Besides, there aren't many actual real "Irish" in these neighborhoods. They're overwhelmingly mostly white Yankees with Irish surnames, or distant Irish lineage (usually blended with other Euro bloodlines) that makes them about as "Irish" as Eddie Murphy. But just because they're a buncha Yankees doesn't make their situation any less tragic, ya'll. They just got a big taste of what Southerners get much, much more often.