[Hopes]

Although Vermont was spared widespread devestation from Sandy, I'm wondering if there will be a financial impact due to the areas hit the hardest are where Vermont's tourists live. Many tourists might need to redirect their money for rebuilding their homes instead of vacations. Others might not be able to take vacation because they used vacation for the storm cleanup. Even the wealthiest of tourists might feel they need to stay closer to their permanent home this winter for whatever reason.

[Logs and Dogs]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a double digit % decrease in tourism from those markets, however if VT gets a stronger winter than last year there will be some offset with increased traffic compared to last years non-existent snowmobile season and average ski season.

Plus many of thsoe tourist regulars have second home/condos in VT which they will probably use. You have to remember that while many homes were destroyed, the bulk of residents in the hard hit areas will be up and running and back to relative normal within 2-3 months which would be in time for people to head up to ski.

Plus, winter recreation for many of them is a way to get away from stress, chances are they will probably still make some trips for that very reason.

Only time will tell.

[OhBeeHave]

Speaking for Long Island -- we were very heavily damaged but are not getting the coverage NYC and NJ received. The extent of the damage, time to get claims processed and permits in place, coupled with a finite number of licensed contractors might drag this on longer than the 2-3 months Logs and Dogs optimistically cited. We are probably looking more at 6 months.

The people who have suffered extreme damages range from dirt poor to wealthy. One community, Mastic, was swamped. Many of the people are poor and live in converted summer cottages. More comfortable areas -- where residents would spend money on ski trips -- experienced flooding so severe that the owners are tossing out water damaged possessions and boarding up damaged windows and doors. Photos showed belongings floating in the street. One woman found her jewelry box floating elsewhere -- her engagement ring still inside.

I live near the LI Sound but 90' above sea level. My community was spared flooding but suffered tremendous wind damage. I was lucky and only lost part of a fence when one of my oaks twisted and snapped in the wind. 90 degrees south and my house would have been crushed. My neighbor across the way lost two new cars and the front of her house to tree damage. She cancelled her annual winter trip to the Keys.

I hope Logs is right and that people will still visit -- if only to escape their nightmare.

Ive lived on Long Island 45 years and this was the scariest, most horrific storm I have seen in those years. I was without power for 8 days, people ard still in tbe dark, we still have very long gas lines, loitered have moved in, curfews enforced.

[Logs and Dogs]

OhBeeHave -I hope your area gets up and running and back to some semblance of the "new normal" soon.

I have some good friends in NJ and know of the devastation first hand as well, tough stuff. Also, the company I work for has lost several stores to damage after having a large number down for days. The good news is we are also at the front of getting back up and running for the community and for our employees.

The geographic size and the area it hit really compound the damage totals.......