By Janet Alexander

Just three short months ago, Hurricane Sandy ravaged the eastern seaboard as one of the greatest super storms to ever hit the United States. Amounting to a total damage loss of $62 billion, Sandy is the second-costliest storm in U.S. history. The National Hurricane Center now says tropical force winds extended 820 miles at their widest, and Sandy’s pure kinetic energy for storm surge and wave “destruction potential” reached a 5.8 on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 0 to 6 scale, the highest measured. The most dramatic damage reports came from New York, where all ten subway tunnels between Manhattan and Brooklyn were underwater during the storm, and nearly half of the 125 killed by Sandy were from. While the water has receded, for many, the devastation remains.

Sandy, Hurricane-Sandy, Powerhouse-Arena, NYPH, New-York-Photo-Festival

© Konstantin Sergeyev, Basement C-Squat

The New York Photo Festival’s newest exhibition, SANDY: Devastation, Document, Drive, is a documentary photography show consisting of photographs from behind all types of lenses–career journalists, cell phone-carrying passersby, and habitual Instagrammers. All of the photographs in this diverse show were submitted as part of an open call, and also include images depicting scenes from around the world similarly affected by global warming, and the process of rebuilding. The NYPH is presenting this provocative collection, saying, “It is our goal to make sure these devastating visuals and inspiring depictions of lending hands, first responders, and those who have given aid remain at the forefront of the public consciousness.”  Photographs included in the exhibition are viewable in a slideshow on our website and in a printed exhibition at the POWERHOUSE Arena, located in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY,  from now until March 1, 2013. The POWERHOUSE Arena itself suffered damage caused by 28” of water during the surge. And AdoramaPix generously printed the exhibition’s 1000+ photographs, which “flood” The POWERHOUSE Arena walls.

Sandy, Hurricane-Sandy, Powerhouse-Arena,

© Yosra El-Essawy, God Bless America

 

Sandy, Hurricane-Sandy, Powerhouse-Arena, NYPH, New-York-Photo-Festival

© Shameel Arafin, A Clowder of Cats

Sandy, Hurricane-Sandy, NYPH, Powerhouse-Arena, New-York-Photo-Festival

© Josh Raab, Sandy Cloud

Sandy, Hurricane-Sandy, NYPH, Powerhouse-Arena, New-York-Photo-Festival

© Lauren Hermele