My emergency response to the storm required one flashlight. I lost power for the week, but made do with candles. Needless to say, I had it good. I will do very little differently when the next storm is approaching. The same cannot be said for those who live near the water. 80% of New Yorkers who were most affected say they will be better prepared in the future. Consider this lesson learned.

A majority of New Yorkers believe it is "likely" or "very likely" New York City will face another storm of Sandy's magnitude next year. And a majority also express confidence in the City's ability to respond. Residents who were most affected by the storm are the least confident.

The findings are from an exclusive NY1-Marist poll that surveyed 814 adults last week. In addition, many New Yorkers feel they learned a lesson in emergency preparedness after Hurricane Sandy. New Yorkers are almost split on whether evacuations should be mandatory. And a majority believe homeowners should be allowed to rebuild their homes in a flood zone. What do you say?

Do you feel another storm of Sandy's strength is likely next year? Do you have confidence in the City's response? Will you prepare any differently in the future? Should homes in a flood zone be rebuilt?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

It is too soon to say. There are still out of state volunteer electric companies restoring electricity and removing downed wires. There still is backed up garbage collection, and people becoming ill because of lack of heat, electricity and proper sanitation. We are still in a tizzy over "Hurricane Sandy" There is still disputes about how the hurricane was handled and squabbles over the cost of all the damage.

Rosalie from Canarsie

As long as Michael Bloomberg is gone from office, I feel that we would be prepared and any money sent to NY for recovery would be put to use as intended and not used to build new subways.

Gary
Emerson Hill
Staten Island

Hi John,

To blame the people about not leaving is absurd because this cities politicians are trying once again to blame the reason for so much devastation because they did not evacuate. The politicians continue to brag that they are ready for another terrorist attack when they can't even protect the homes during and in the aftermath of a storm of this magnitude. They are not ready and if all of these politicians and their bobble heads had put more emphasis on taking care of our problems with such gusto as they do and did when asking Washington for x amount of dollars.

The mayor and governor were forewarned about these storms especially after last years storm IRENE. They were told to prepare for them. This also to me looks as though history is repeating itself because it seems as though they are following many of the paths of the hurricanes of the 1950's.

Thank you John,
maxxiee
mp

John,

I'll bet you $1 that a storm as furious as Sandy or Irene will not hit NYC next year.

Joe
Port Richmond

Evacuations should not be mandatory. I don't want the city telling me that I have to leave. So all those people say its Irresponsible to put first responders life at risk... thats bs. These people have a problem with accountability. How about those people shouldnt expect first responders to come for them. If I make the decision to stay, I dont expect others to put thier life at risk for me. If I make the decision and die, hey I did by my own decision. It's like skiing in the backcountry out west. They have that giant sign saying we are not responsible for you when you pass this border.

~ Jeffrey

Hi John,

Wow....so many questions - probably reflective of how many layers of issues there regarding Sandy.

- Future storms? Anything is possible. Anyone who suggests they can make a prediction, is naive about nature. Who knows if the next storm will be as strong and when it will be.

- Will the city be better prepared next time? Yes, but in time. Right now, a lot still needs to be learned. That said, the city must rebuild, and explore anew, protective barriers, including sea walls, beaches, dunes, etc. For the last number of years, there has been an argument with the rebuilding of the beaches in the Rockaways, as an example. It is time to resolve those types of issues.

- Should people be allowed to rebuild in a flood zone? Yes. In NYC, we don't have the room for the displaced residents. If they can't live in the low-lying zones of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, where are they going to live?

- Should evacuations be mandatory? Yes! If the Mayor declares an emergency and requires evacuations, those instructions should be followed. Citizens are responsible. The Mayor did a great job in requiring the evacuations.

Hope I touched on all of tonight's subjects. Thanks for yet another subject on Sandy.

Hoping for a fast clean-up.

Tommy
Park Slope

I really believe that we will see another hurricane just like Sandy, or even worse in the near future, this is all due to global warning and it will not get any better, so we better be prepared for next time.

Carmen, Bay Ridge

DOROTHY HAD HER TORNADO AND CLICKED HER RUBY RED SLIPPERS TO GET BACK HOME. JOE FROM BAY TERRACE HAD HIS HURRICANE AND HIS BLACK COWBOY BOOTS. IF AND WHEN A HURRICANE MAKES ANOTHER GUEST APPEARANCE, JOE IS GOING TO CLICK HIS COWBOY BOOTS AND WILL GET OUTTA DODGE REAL FAST.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

Will NYC Be Ready for a Next Storm? If, the City of New York put in place an effective and sustainable, "All" of the above, Disaster Management, Mobilization, Protection and Mitigation, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Rescue and Recovery Strategic Systems to deal with Monster Storm Surges, Flood Inundations, Erosion and other Natural Disasters and Catastrophes caused by Rising Sea Levels brought by Global Warming, Climate Change and Man-Made Disasters like Nuclear Disasters and Terrorism, yes the City that Never Sleeps can be effectively prepared to ride a storm in the magnitude of Hurricane Sandy or Greater.

Eric

New York City will do nothing to build up the infrastructure so that Low Lying areas will be protected. I am a homeowner from Rockaway Beach whose house was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Bloomberg and his minions did nothing to build up the beach or protect our homes. Fema and The Insurance companies are stalling on Claim payouts so damaged homes cannot be rebuilt. Rapid repairs is a Joke! Rockaway Beach is destroyed and it will take a lot more than empty promises and Mr. Talk Obama to fix the area. It's amazing how much Optimism new yorkers have in the face of such hopeless situation. New Yorkers must believe in Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny....

Wiped out Permanently in Rockaway Beach,

Scott