The catastrophic storm surge of Superstorm Sandy plummeted the Greater New York City area and downstate flooding streets, leaving its devastating mark damaging property, cutting subway lines and resulting in massive power outages. Deemed the worst hurricane to strike the city and bearing some of the worst storm damage we have seen since the 1700s. In true New York fashion, Superstorm Sandy necessitated a massive and multi-pronged recovery effort the city has never seen before.
While in her tenure working for the Mayor’s Office, Cristin Burtis, CEO coordinated relief projects as a direct result of events such as Superstorm Sandy. Cristin and her team developed and implemented a City-Wide Commodities Distribution Plan together with New York City Office of Emergency Management (NYC OEM) across the five boroughs. They coordinated the logistics of over 100 tractor trailers with critical emergency goods and rations to the most impacted areas. Her team set up over 30 temporary food shelters to distribute hot meals. She assisted in serving the communities by implementing medical services across the disaster area, communicating across multiple agencies including the New York City Police Department, National Guard, Red Cross and New York City Department of Transportation, as well as other governmental entities and private companies.
Superstorm Sandy wiped out the city’s beach infrastructure causing wide spread damage to community beaches. In order to avoid additional economic and community hardship, Cristin and her team coordinated logistical and operational efforts to deliver lifeguard stations and comfort stations across New York City’s public beaches, allowing beaches to open for the summer. This effort was part of a Beach Modular Installation plan, a regional effort was required by multiple public-private partnerships across state lines.
In addition, Cristin provided critical information for the Superstorm Sandy after-action study and coordinated information for a final report. The document provides key findings and recommendations for future natural disasters and flooding emergencies.
