They were supposed to have time off with family before an upcoming deployment to Japan, but the U.S. Navy Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 based in California are providing muscle to the cleanup effort in Breezy Point, N.Y. after Hurricane Sandy.
Seabee EOCN Courtney McCormack grabbed a shovel and started digging out the sand that had washed up against a house. Meanwhile, others in the group grabbed waterlogged debris and began a 100 yard walk out of the neighborhood to a large trash pile.
Resident Carolyn Sculley was cleaning up the bungalow that has been in the family for 83 years. "On the weekend [the Seabees] were swarming the place. They couldn't take the garbage away fast enough," she said. Sculley was ripping up the flooring in the family home. Although it was not severely damaged, many keepsakes had to be discarded. "I had to throw out all my dad's old fishing gear. He took such good care of it."
Marie Woods, who has owned a second home on Marion Walk since 1977, was thrilled to get the help. "They just walked by and asked if they could help and I just went: Woohoo!"
Also on PhotoBlog:
- Sandy's destruction raises question: What is irreplaceable?
- Panoramic view of Breezy Point destruction after Hurricane Sandy fire and flood
- Evacuations continue and residents take stock in destroyed Breezy Point neighborhood
- Staten Island man tells of losses in fire after Sandy: " I wish I could have been here for my cats"
- Bringing cheer and hot meals to Sandy victims in Staten Island
- One displaced voter heads to the polls in New Jersey town devastated by Sandy
- Amid destroyed homes, Hurricane Sandy victims question going to the polls
