Interview with Lara Bednarczyk, August 10, 2013

Interview Summary

Bednarczyk says she like living in New Jersey because of the accessibility to so many activities and places. She also talks about her family and being a Girl Scout leader in her community. Bednarczyk discusses her low expectations of Hurricane Sandy. She also talks about the availability of supplies and how she felt the warning her community received was an adequate one. Bednarczyk discusses when the storm hit and how she tried to convince her husband to evacuate the area. She also reveals that she did not get any sleep that night. Bednarczyk describes her reaction upon returning home the day after the storm after only seeing horrific pictures. She also explains that her house was completely lost to the storm and how her community came together during this time to help one another. Bednarczyk explains that she and her family had to clean up her house without help. Bednarczyk describes that she lost everything under counter-height to the storm. She also believed that the state as a whole was not prepared for Hurricane Sandy and that Mother Nature is to blame for this disaster. Bednarczyk says that she believes most of the attention by the media, president, and governor were more focused on the resort areas that were affected. She also now knows not to underestimate the power of the ocean and will take more precautionary measures for her house. Bednarczyk reveals that she and her family have been staying in a dorm room on her local Rutgers campus for the time being. She is still paying for her damaged house and plans to rebuild on the same plot of land in the future. Bednarczyk reveals that while she believes the storm will have no impact on the presidential election, she believes it will have a huge impact upon the gubernatorial campaign. Also, she gives a word of advice for those who own homes in times of disaster.

Interview Keyword

Tuckerton (N.J.) Little Egg Harbor (N.J.) Girl scouts Evacuation High tide War zone Damage Facebook Trash pickup Insurance FEMA Curfew Looting Church Donations

Interview LC Subject

Little Egg Harbor Township (N.J.) Hurricane Sandy, 2012

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Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.