I hate to sound callous, but there was significant warning that Sandy was coming. Why didn't these people prepare? Food, fuel, back up power, leaving the area...?
Oh, right. Because the government will come in and save them. What could go wrong with that plan? :roll:
Forward thinking people would have taken the precautions necessary to have the luxury to avoid the desperate and crazy folks who are currently wielding guns and knives at each other over resources.