And with the one-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy approaching, some have channeled their feelings into a creative outlet.
The non-profit Brooklyn Arts Council is helping people channel their feelings with a variety of art projects, some for professional artists and others for residents of Brooklyn who are looking for an outlet a year after the storm.
"I'm about 3, 4 blocks away from the ocean and I looked down and saw cars floating in the ocean, on the sidewalk and the street," said Anne Masterson. Anne is hoping to put those devastating images of Sandy to rest.
And at the Seaside Innovative Senior Center, they're doing so through art, which will be installed on one of the relic fountains near the boardwalk.
Holding a tile she made, Masterson said "It's a young girl because I'm young at heart, with a handsome man which I'm still looking for, still looking for that guy, and he rescued her. He saved her."
Yvonne Higgins also created a tile that puts a positive spin on what happened.
"This is a grandfather after Sandy and he's very happy. He's on the beach with his ball and he's just relaxing, taking in everything," said Higgins.
The tile project is funded by the Brooklyn Arts Council, which is undertaking a number of arts projects related to Superstorm Sandy.
Another component is a group show in Dumbo called, 'For And About Sandy', with photos of the ocean in the Rockaways and scenes of the destruction and volunteerism in the days after Sandy.
"Anyone in Brooklyn had an experience with the storm, whether it was this devastating effect on their lives or they felt their neighbors were in need," said curator Michelle Jaslow.
One piece had been damaged in the storm and ultimately turned into something new, signalling a sense of hope and second chances felt by New Yorkers and artists alike.
"We're giving people an opportunity to say 'we're here, we're still here, listen to us, see us, feel us, hear us, and so this is a way of giving them a voice," said Ella Weiss, president of the Brooklyn Arts Council.
The gallery exhibit is open through Feb. 14th. The ribbon-cutting for the fountain decorated with the tiles made by seniors is next Tuesday, the anniversary of Sandy.