One year ago today Superstorm Sandy - the worst natural disaster in State history  - swept across New Jersey, causing billions of dollars in damage and throwing the lives of millions of Garden State residents into chaos.

Satellite picture of Hurricane Sandy approaching New Jersey in 2012.
Satellite picture of Hurricane Sandy approaching New Jersey in 2012. (NOAA)
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Academy of Art of Highland Park and Gallery
Sign at the Academy of Art of Highland Park and Gallery "welcoming" Sandy (Facebook)
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Hundreds of thousands of  homes and businesses were damaged and flooded, and two thirds of the State lost power for several days.

As the storm approached, News Director Eric Scott told listeners "we are awaiting the arrival of hurricane Sandy, which has been strengthening, a coastal flood warning and high wind warning remains in effect through Tuesday, flood watch through Tuesday as well."

A short while later, anchor Kelly Waldron reported that "more than 50 thousand are without power, the winds are beginning to whip, the rain is steady and the ocean is unleashing its fury on towns along the Jersey Shore including Long Beach Island where the water has broken through the dunes and is flooding the streets."

New Jersey 101.5's Big Joe Henry told listeners " there are mandatory evacuations for the following communities - if you're in Long Beach, Ship Bottom, Surf City, Harvey Cedars, Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, as well as Seaside Heights, Lavallette and Seaside Park - hurricane Sandy right now is the largest hurricane ever in size, ever to be recorded in history in the Atlantic Ocean."

As the storm lashed the Garden State, Governor Christie said "the news along the Jersey Shore is awful - we still don't know the extent of the damage because the extent of the damage still isn't done - you're going to have extensive winds and rain throughout the night tonight."

The Governor also advised all Jersey residents to stay in their homes, unless they faced an emergency situation.

Hours later millions of New Jersey residents had lost power, coastal communities were flooded, and damage assessments began all over the Garden State.

Listen to David Matthau's report


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