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DUMBO Picks up the Pieces After Hurricane Sandy

By Janet Upadhye | October 31, 2012 10:07am

DUMBO — Brooklyn's waterfront neighborhoods tried to pick up the pieces after being flooded during Hurricane Sandy, soaking businesses and residences under multiple feet of water.

Business owners and residents surveyed the damage, pumped water from their ground floor spaces, and cleared out debris and broken glass.

"The water busted through the first floor windows of my apartment building like a waterfall," said Katril Adam, who lives near Old Fulton St. in DUMBO. "We were trapped on the third floor waiting for the water level to go down for a few hours."

Main St. in DUMBO was still underwater Tuesday as local favorites, powerHouse Books and One Girl Cookies located at the end of the street, had standing water on their parlor floors.

"We are still assessing the damage, but we know it is significant," said PowerHouse Books Manager, Craig Mathis, who found many wet and ruined books when he arrived at the store after the storm.

Mathis and a crew of employees were working to salvage books, mop up water and fix broken glass in the store.

Meanwhile neighbors from all over the area came by the dozen to see damage caused by the storm. Many snapped photos while others helped the Doe Fund's Ready, Willing and Able crew sweep leaves and clean up debris.

According to locals, the water receded just as fast as it rose.

"The water began to rise quickly at 7:30 p.m. on Monday night and two hours later it was already on the way out," said Adam. "It was fascinating how quickly it came, wreaked havoc, and went."