Hurricane Sandy, also known as Superstorm Sandy, formed in late October 2012, originating in the Caribbean before moving up the eastern seaboard of the United States. As the storm approached the U.S., it gathered strength and on October 29, it made landfall in New Jersey, bringing with it powerful winds, heavy rains, and a damaging storm surge that inundated coastal areas. Sandy's size and intensity were compounded by a rare meteorological phenomenon, where the hurricane interacted with a cold front that pushed southward, creating significant turbulence and increasing the storm's effects.

The areas hardest hit included New Jersey, New York City, and parts of Connecticut, with flooding causing extensive damage to homes, businesses, and public transport systems. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, and iconic locations such as the New Jersey coastline and Lower Manhattan were severely affected. Millions of residents were left without power in the aftermath, struggling to access food, water, and essential services. Recovery efforts were complicated due to the widespread damage to infrastructure. Emergency responders were deployed to assist in rescue operations, distribute supplies, and restore order.

Federal assistance was soon mobilized, and President Barack Obama declared a major disaster in several states. The storm prompted discussions around climate change and the increasing frequency of severe weather events, emphasizing the need for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the face of future storms. The economic impact of Sandy was profound, with losses estimated at $70 billion, placing it among the most damaging storms in U.S. history. As communities began to rebuild, debates arose regarding urban planning, environmental policies, and how best to protect vulnerable populations from future disasters.