Photographs by Alice Proujansky
Sandy pummeled New York's iconic seaside neighborhood, home to the historic Cyclone wooden roller coaster, the New York Aquarium and Nathan's Famous. But actual people live here, too, and many of their homes and businesses were destroyed in the hurricane. With power still out and looters on the prowl, Coney Islanders are bracing for more days and nights of danger and uncertainty—while trying to pick up the pieces of their lives.
Furniture from the Timbuktu Barbershop on Mermaid Avenue, destroyed during Hurricane Sandy.
Alice Proujansky
Preston Wright, a barber at theTimbuktu Barbershop, surveys the damage in his workplace, which was flooded during Sandy.
Alice Proujansky
Devastation on Coney Island following Hurricane Sandy.
Alice Proujansky
Bessie Mercado, a Coney Island resident for 40 years, cleans Mermaid Discount Liquors with Brittany Talvy following Hurricane Sandy.
Alice Proujansky
Ron Troyano Jr. stands in the storeroom of his store, Mermaid Discount Liquor, which was broken into and robbed following Hurricane Sandy. The thieves stole liquor and escaped by climbing up a ladder to the roof.
Alice Proujansky
Harry Owens has been trying to get his grandparents to evacuate their homes, which have no electricity. Here he stands in front of a wall that was destroyed in the storm.
Alice Proujansky
A picnic table thrown against a lightpole by Hurricane Sandy.
Alice Proujansky
A Coney Island resident carries water from a fire hydrant to his home, which doesn't have running water in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
Alice Proujansky
The mud covered roads of Sea Gate.
Alice Proujansky
Anthony Feliciano cleans up his boss's neighbor's house on Sea Gate's sand-covered streets.
Alice Proujansky
A crumbling home in Sea Gate.
Alice Proujansky
Kevin Voorhees, whose wife is four months pregnant, lost half his Coney Island home in the storm.
