I had a nice email today from the head of the 9/11 Memorial:
Like many, we at the Memorial are still recovering from the impact of Sandy. I was on site yesterday with our team and have been back again today to monitor conditions. On the positive side, the Memorial came through in beautiful shape. I saw firsthand that the Survivor Tree continues to live up to its name and stands tall among the oak trees at the Memorial.
Our team took a number of preventive steps, including draining the Memorial’s pools and harvest tanks. The pools are now being cleaned, and once power is restored, we will be able to get them back up and running.
The Museum’s collection is largely stored offsite and we are reviewing the condition of these items to assess any impacts and ensure their care.
While the 9/11 Memorial and Museum endured Sandy, there have been extensive impacts, which we continue to manage. River surges caused serious flooding at the foundation level of the World Trade Center, where the Museum is under construction. Our Visitor Center and other facilities were also impacted by flooding.
We will have a clearer picture of the extent of the damages as our dedicated response teams continue their assessments. We are working closely with the state, city and the Port Authority to reopen the Memorial as soon as possible, as well as make any necessary repairs. We will be sure to keep you apprised of updates on conditions.
During this time of recovery, we hope that you and your family are safe. Once again, we are reminded as we were after 9/11, that together we can surmount the most unimaginable challenges.
