Cuomo: Storm Brings 'New Reality'

Editor’s Note: This story was written and submitted by David Reich-Hale.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday called Hurricane Sandy "truly frightening."

He then went on to say New York residents should brace themselves for more of the same.
In an interview with Albany radio station Talk 1300-AM, Cuomo said "We have a 100-year flood every two years now."

Cuomo added, "There has been a series of extreme weather incidents. That is not a political statement, that is a factual statement. Anyone who says there's not a dramatic change in weather patterns, I think is denying reality."

The governor also said the flooding on the south shore of Nassau and Suffolk counties was as bad as anything he had seen in New York.

Recovery costs along the eastern seaboard are expected to be record setting - perhaps as much as $20 billion - and Cuomo said he spoke to President Obama twice to request federal assistance. In a press conference this afternoon, the president said federal funds will be made available to New York, New Jersey and other impacted areas.

Hurricane Sandy's trail of destruction on Long Island was sweeping. A man in Lloyd Harbor was killed when a tree fell on him. Meanwhile, floods consumed waterfront communities throughout Long Island.