--- title: "Interview: Brad Gair on What We Can Learn from NYC’s Hurricane Sandy Recovery" image: https://government.wittobriens.com/hubfs/iStock-525078299%202.png --- [![Witt O'Briens](https://government.wittobriens.com/hubfs/Group%206.png)](https://www.wittobriens.com/) 24/7 EMERGENCY [+1 985 781 0804](tel:+1%20985%20781%200804) - ABOUT - [About Us](https://www.wittobriens.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://wittobriens.com/about-us/meet-the-team) - [Careers](https://wittobriens.com/careers) - [Contract Vehicles](https://wittobriens.com/contract-vehicles) - GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS - [GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/corporate-solutions) - [Emergency Preparedness](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/emergency-preparedness) - [Operations Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/operational-planning) - [Training Design & Delivery](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/training-design-delivery) - [Exercise Design & Delivery](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/exercise-design-delivery) - [Community Engagement](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/community-engagement) - [Programmatic Assesments](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/programmatic-assessments) - [Revocery Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/recovery-planning) - [Response Operations](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/response-operations) - [EOC Support & Staff Augmentation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/eoc-support-staff-augmentation) - [Debris Removal Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/debris-removal-management) - [Interagency Coordination](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/interagency-coordination) - [Crisis Communications](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-communications-2) - [Logistics & Resource Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/logistics-resource-management) - [Environmental Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-services) - [Zero-Waste Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/zero-waste-programs) - [HazMat Response](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hazmat-response) - [Environmental Remediation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-remediation) - [Environmental Response](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-response) - [Disaster Recovery](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/disaster-recovery) - [Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/program-management) - [FEMA Public Assistance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-public-assistance) - [FEMA IA / Disaster Case Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-ia-disaster-case-management) - [Temporary Housing & Sheltering](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/temporary-housing-sheltering) - [HUD CDBG-DR Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hud-cdbg-dr-programs-2) - [Resilience and Risk Mitigation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/resilience-and-risk-mitigation) - [Mitigation Project Development & Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/mitigation-project-development-management) - [FEMA Mitigation Consulting: HMGP, 406, FMA, & BRIC Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-mitigation-consulting-hmgp-406-fma-bric-programs) - [CDBG-MIT Program Consulting](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/cdbg-mit-program-consulting) - [Hazard Mitigation Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hazard-mitigation-planning) - [Resiliency & Climate Change Adaptation Strategies](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/resiliency-climate-change-adaptation-strategies) - [Grants Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-management) - [Research & Pursuance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/research-pursuance) - [Training & Technical Assistance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/training-technical-assistance) - [Program Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/program-development) - [Grants Office Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-office-development) - [Monitoring & Compliance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/monitoring-compliance) - [Grants Systems Integration](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-systems-integration) - [Support Services Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/support-services-program-management) - [Public Advisory Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-advisory-services) - [Decision Support Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/decision-support-services) - [Support Services Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-advisory-support-services-program-management) - [Public-Private Partnerships](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-private-partnerships) - [Change Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/change-management) - [Public Sector Augmentation Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-sector-augmentation-services) - [Citizen Experience Consultation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/citizen-experience-consultation) - [Public Policy Analysis](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-policy-analysis) - [Infrastructure Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-services) - [Community Planning & Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/community-planning-development) - [Grant/Funding Research & Pursuance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grant-funding-research-pursuance) - [Infrastructure Planning & Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-planning-management) - [Owner's Rep Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-owners-rep-services) - [Construction & Project Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/construction-project-management) - CORPORATE SOLUTIONS - [CORPORATE SOLUTIONS](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/government-solutions) - [24/7 Response](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/24-7-response) - [Emergency Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/emergency-management) - [Crisis Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-management) - [Business Continuity](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/business-continuity) - [Crisis Communications](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-communications) - [Maritime Solutions](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/maritime-solutions) - [EHS, Regulatory, & Security Compliance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/compliance) - MARKETS - [MARKETS](https://wittobriens.com/markets) - [Education](https://wittobriens.com/markets/education) - [Energy](https://wittobriens.com/markets/energy) - [Finance](https://wittobriens.com/markets/finance) - [Food & Agriculture](https://wittobriens.com/markets/food-agriculture) - [Government](https://wittobriens.com/markets/government) - [Healthcare](https://wittobriens.com/markets/healthcare) - [Industrial](https://wittobriens.com/markets/industrial) - [IT & Telecom](https://wittobriens.com/markets/it-telecom) - [Shipping & Transportation](https://wittobriens.com/markets/shipping-transportation) - [Stadium & Event Venues](https://wittobriens.com/markets/stadium-event-venues) - RESOURCES - [Center for Grant Excellence](https://government.wittobriens.com/cge?hsLang=en) - [COVID-19 Resources](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/education) - [Newsroom](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/energy) - [Resource Library](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/finance) - [Case Studies](https://wittobriens.com/resources/case-studies) - [CAREERS](https://www.wittobriens.com/careers) - [CONTACT US](https://wittobriens.com/contact-us) - ABOUT - [About Us](https://www.wittobriens.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://wittobriens.com/about-us/meet-the-team) - [Careers](https://wittobriens.com/careers) - [Contract Vehicles](https://wittobriens.com/contract-vehicles) - GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS - [GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/corporate-solutions) - [Emergency Preparedness](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/emergency-preparedness) - [Operations Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/operational-planning) - [Training Design & Delivery](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/training-design-delivery) - [Exercise Design & Delivery](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/exercise-design-delivery) - [Community Engagement](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/community-engagement) - [Programmatic Assesments](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/programmatic-assessments) - [Revocery Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/recovery-planning) - [Response Operations](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/response-operations) - [EOC Support & Staff Augmentation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/eoc-support-staff-augmentation) - [Debris Removal Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/debris-removal-management) - [Interagency Coordination](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/interagency-coordination) - [Crisis Communications](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-communications-2) - [Logistics & Resource Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/logistics-resource-management) - [Environmental Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-services) - [Zero-Waste Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/zero-waste-programs) - [HazMat Response](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hazmat-response) - [Environmental Remediation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-remediation) - [Environmental Response](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/environmental-response) - [Disaster Recovery](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/disaster-recovery) - [Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/program-management) - [FEMA Public Assistance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-public-assistance) - [FEMA IA / Disaster Case Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-ia-disaster-case-management) - [Temporary Housing & Sheltering](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/temporary-housing-sheltering) - [HUD CDBG-DR Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hud-cdbg-dr-programs-2) - [Resilience and Risk Mitigation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/resilience-and-risk-mitigation) - [Mitigation Project Development & Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/mitigation-project-development-management) - [FEMA Mitigation Consulting: HMGP, 406, FMA, & BRIC Programs](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/fema-mitigation-consulting-hmgp-406-fma-bric-programs) - [CDBG-MIT Program Consulting](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/cdbg-mit-program-consulting) - [Hazard Mitigation Planning](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/hazard-mitigation-planning) - [Resiliency & Climate Change Adaptation Strategies](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/resiliency-climate-change-adaptation-strategies) - [Grants Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-management) - [Research & Pursuance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/research-pursuance) - [Training & Technical Assistance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/training-technical-assistance) - [Program Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/program-development) - [Grants Office Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-office-development) - [Monitoring & Compliance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/monitoring-compliance) - [Grants Systems Integration](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grants-systems-integration) - [Support Services Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/support-services-program-management) - [Public Advisory Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-advisory-services) - [Decision Support Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/decision-support-services) - [Support Services Program Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-advisory-support-services-program-management) - [Public-Private Partnerships](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-private-partnerships) - [Change Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/change-management) - [Public Sector Augmentation Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-sector-augmentation-services) - [Citizen Experience Consultation](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/citizen-experience-consultation) - [Public Policy Analysis](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/public-policy-analysis) - [Infrastructure Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-services) - [Community Planning & Development](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/community-planning-development) - [Grant/Funding Research & Pursuance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/grant-funding-research-pursuance) - [Infrastructure Planning & Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-planning-management) - [Owner's Rep Services](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/infrastructure-owners-rep-services) - [Construction & Project Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/construction-project-management) - CORPORATE SOLUTIONS - [CORPORATE SOLUTIONS](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/government-solutions) - [24/7 Response](https://www.wittobriens.com/solutions/24-7-response) - [Emergency Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/emergency-management) - [Crisis Management](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-management) - [Business Continuity](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/business-continuity) - [Crisis Communications](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/crisis-communications) - [Maritime Solutions](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/maritime-solutions) - [EHS, Regulatory, & Security Compliance](https://wittobriens.com/solutions/compliance) - MARKETS - [MARKETS](https://wittobriens.com/markets) - [Education](https://wittobriens.com/markets/education) - [Energy](https://wittobriens.com/markets/energy) - [Finance](https://wittobriens.com/markets/finance) - [Food & Agriculture](https://wittobriens.com/markets/food-agriculture) - [Government](https://wittobriens.com/markets/government) - [Healthcare](https://wittobriens.com/markets/healthcare) - [Industrial](https://wittobriens.com/markets/industrial) - [IT & Telecom](https://wittobriens.com/markets/it-telecom) - [Shipping & Transportation](https://wittobriens.com/markets/shipping-transportation) - [Stadium & Event Venues](https://wittobriens.com/markets/stadium-event-venues) - RESOURCES - [Center for Grant Excellence](https://government.wittobriens.com/cge?hsLang=en) - [COVID-19 Resources](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/education) - [Newsroom](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/energy) - [Resource Library](https://www.wittobriens.com/markets/finance) - [Case Studies](https://wittobriens.com/resources/case-studies) - [CAREERS](https://www.wittobriens.com/careers) - [CONTACT US](https://wittobriens.com/contact-us) ![hero img](https://government.wittobriens.com/hubfs/iStock-525078299%202.png) # Interview: Brad Gair What We Can Learn from NYC’s Hurricane Sandy Recovery ## Interview: Brad Gair on What We Can Learn from NYC’s Hurricane Sandy Recovery ###### November 4th, 2022 10 years ago, Hurricane Sandy pummeled New York City and the surrounding metro area. Today, the streets have been cleared, debris hauled away, and homes rebuilt, but the time in between was difficult for many of those affected by the storm.    Nearly 300 properties were destroyed, and more than 69,000 people had to relocate due to the damage caused by the massive storm. Recovery was hampered by bureaucratic delays and challenges inherent to the federal government’s recovery assistance.  Witt O’Brien’s [Senior Managing Director, Brad Gair](https://www.wittobriens.com/staff/brad-gair), was head of the Office of Housing Recovery Operations for New York City after Hurricane Sandy hit. He was recently interviewed about the challenges to New York’s housing recovery, and he highlighted key areas to address for future events.   “We did 12,000 homes in 100 days at the cost of less than $700 million. That was a real success story. Where it stumbles is what happened next.”   To read more about New York’s Hurricane Sandy recovery and Brad Gair’s first-hand analysis, please click [here](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11340887/East-coast-revisited-10-years-Hurricane-Sandy-tore-entire-neighborhoods.html). 24/7 Emergency [+1 985 781 0804](tel:+1%20985%20781%200804) ### WITH YOU WHEN IT COUNTS [T: +1 281 320 9796](tel:+1%20281%20320%209796) F: +1 281 320 9700 [Contact Us](https://www.wittobriens.com/contact-us) ![Witt O'Briens](https://government.wittobriens.com/hubfs/Group%206.png) - [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/witt-o-brien-s) - [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585762444608) - [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/wittobriens/) - [twitter icon](https://x.com/wittobriens) - [youtube icon](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEDvPR5t3W-H-7owrVXXnRA) - [Site Map](https://www.wittobriens.com/site-map) - [Legal Notice](https://www.wittobriens.com/policies/legal-notice) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.wittobriens.com/policies/cookie-policy) - [Client Download Site](https://wittobriens.leapfile.com) - [©2021 Witt O'Briens, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED](https://www.wittobriens.com/)