(MCT) — POINT PLEASANT, N.J. — There were all of 21 homes on the little cul-de-sac. There wasn’t much space between them and nobody much cared — after all, Riviera Court was surrounded on three sides by water, and everybody’s “yard” was a dock, a boat and a route to the sea, which seemed like such a nice thing just a week ago.

Lori Rebimbas was at home when Hurricane Sandy arrived with sinister clouds, then shrieking wind. It was the water that chased her out, rising to her knees in 10 minutes. As she drove into the darkness, trees tumbled and electrical wires lashed and sparked behind her.