Updated 11/07/2012 04:47 PM
Parks Employees Try To Replenish Rockaway Beach Sand Before Nor'easter
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NY1 VIDEO: As the Rockaway Beach section of Queens braced for more coastal flooding from Wednesday's nor'easter, crews from the city Parks Department worked to move back sand to the former site of the area boardwalk.
Last week, Sandy destroyed the shore's boardwalk and blew away much of its sand.
Workers hoped the sand barriers will protect these neighborhoods from the nor'easter.
"Anything we can do to make these folks' lives a little better is going to be good," said George Kroenert of the city Parks Department. "I think just the fact that we're here working gives them some hope."
The lack of a beach made it easy for the water to creep closer to homes and businesses.
Rafael Diaz nervously watched the water rise, a week after Sandy flooded him out of his Rockaway Beach home.
"It's very nervous and confusing not knowing exactly what to do if I should stay or if I should leave," said Diaz.
Beach erosion has been a problem here for years in the area, long before Sandy or Hurricane Irene in 2011. People who live on the peninsula hoped the recent storms will convince the government to do more to rebuild the coastline to protect it against future storms.
Locals will have a better idea of what it will take to rebuild once the nor'easter has passed.