We thumbed our phones trying to getting a signal, exchanged texts and surfed Twitter for storm updates, both for our location in lower Westchester County in New York, and for the traditional summer stomping grounds of Beach Haven, New Jersey, a spot of barrier island off the pine barrens where my toes have met sand and salt since the 1960s.

FORBES: The Big Lesson of #Sandy: Connectivity Matters in an Emergency

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven, and New London and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Mohegan Tribal Nation located within New London County.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Signs Connecticut Disaster Declaration

Federal funding is available to state, Tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, for the counties of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven, and New London and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Mohegan Tribal Nation located within New London County.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Signs Connecticut Disaster Declaration