Sandy was the first hurricane I had ever covered. I learned a lot about being prepared, risk management, gaining access to restricted areas, working under martial law, and identifying with my subjects. I rented an SUV and loaded it up with bottled water, non-perishable food, towels, plastic bags to use as rain covers for my cameras, A/C power supplies, cans of fix-a-flat, waders, boots, and lots of rain gear. Not knowing how bad the damage would be, I was prepared to spend a week or more living out of my car. Because fuel is always hard to come by after hurricanes, I had a reserve supply of 12 gallons in fuel cans in my trunk and made sure to top off at gas stations whenever I could. 

In all I spent 6 days out covering the Sandy and her aftermath, not including follow-up trips in the weeks after. Covering a storm of that magnitude was simultaneously terrifying, exciting, and heartbreaking all at the same time. I worked solo for the first few days, then met up with my good friend Mark Wilson of Getty Images. It was great having a friend to watch eachothers' backs, bounce ideas off one another, and share pop-tarts and bacon jerky with.

Look for another Sandy post from me in the coming days focusing on the town of Seaside Heights, N.J.

Boarded up stores near the boardwalk in Rehoboth, Del. as Hurricane Sandy approaches the East Coast on October 28, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Rehoboth firefighter Mike Scheerer takes photos of the rough surf from the boardwalk at Rehoboth, Del. as Hurricane Sandy approaches the East Coast on October 29, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

A body boarder wades into the Atlantic Ocean at Rehoboth, Del. as Hurricane Sandy approaches the East Coast on October 28, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Massive breakers roll in on the beach at Rehoboth, Del. as Hurricane Sandy approaches the East Coast on October 29, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

A network news anchor speaks from a hotel balcony as massive breakers roll in on the beach behind him at Rehoboth, Del. as Hurricane Sandy approaches the East Coast on October 29, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Police officers from the Dewey Beach Police Department navigate floodwaters and wind gusts left behind by Hurricane Sandy while clearing debris and deterring looters in a military surplus humvee on Route 1 in Dewey Beach, Del. on October 29, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Sgt. Clifford Dempsey of the Dewey Beach Police Department navigates floodwaters and wind gusts left behind by Hurricane Sandy while clearing debris and deterring looters in a military surplus humvee on Route 1 in Dewey Beach, Del. on October 29, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Motorists wait in line for gas after Hurricane Sandy in Toms River, N.J. on the Jersey Shore on November 1, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

A swan swims past destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy at Toms River, N.J. on the Jersey Shore on November 1, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Steven Carosella looks at destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy in front of his home in Toms River, N.J. on the Jersey Shore on November 1, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

A car submerged in sand is seen amongst devastation from Hurricane Sandy on the Southern end of Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Residents of Long Beach Island walk through the devastation from Hurricane Sandy on the Southern end of the island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Sgt. Kevin Cassano of the New Jersey National Guard stands on a humvee for reception amidst devastation from Hurricane Sandy on the Southern end of Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Beach cottages lost their foundations because of Hurricane Sandy's effect on the Southern end of Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Beach erosion from Hurricane Sandy is seen on the Southern end of Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Beach erosion from Hurricane Sandy is seen on the Southern end of Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Morgan Pedrick and Nicole Lisi walk along the beach past debris from Hurricane Sandy on the Southern end of Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

A resident of Long Beach Island, N.J. rides his bicycle past houses whose foundations were washed away by Hurricane Sandy on the Southern end of the island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

A homeowner takes in hurricane and flood damage from Hurricane Sandy in the Beach Haven West neighborhood of Stafford Township, N.J. on the Jersey Shore on October 30, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Debris litter the ground in the Beach Haven West neighborhood of Stafford Township, N.J. on the Jersey Shore on October 30, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

NJ Natural Gas technician Carlos Rojas repairs a gas leak amidst the devastation from Hurricane Sandy on the Southern end of Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

A seagull with a traped wing struggles amidts the wreckage of Funtown Amusement Pier after Hurricane Sandy sit Seaside Heights Island, N.J. on the Jersey Shore on Thursday November 1, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Damage from Hurricane Sandy is seen at a souvenir shop on Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

A boat sits on a highway after being placed there by Hurricane Sandy on Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

A candy store remains boarded up after Hurricane Sandy hit Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore on October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Floodwaters are seen in the streets at Ships Bottom on Long Beach Island, N.J. on the Jersey Shore on October 30, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

A New Jersey National Guard Humvee drives members of the Ocean County Prosecutors Special Operations Group through floodwaters on Long Beach Island, N.J. on the Jersey Shore on October 30, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

An empty and blacked out Long Beach Island after residents evacuated because of Hurricane Sandy on the Jersey Shore on Wednesday October 31, 2012. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times

Thanks for looking!

**Photos copyright Luke Sharrett and The New York Times**