Peg - Contact the insurance company who carries your unit-owner's policy. They may be able to advise you on what further steps you should take, and your policy may cover reimbursement for immediate out-of-pocket expenses.

Before you sign anything, especially anything that even remotely looks or smells like a waiver or release, have the documents reviewed by an attorney. You could be signing away important rights you will need later on if you have a claim against your condo corporation.

Better still, just consult an attorney. I cannot imagine the aggravation and frustration you and your mom are going through. You need an independent party to look after your interests in this because you have more important issues to take care of right now.

My best wishes to you and your mom in getting through this.

Good advice from Steve about contacting electeds. My family is in a similar displaced situation also in Nassau County and we have had remarkable success with both our insurance company and FEMA. Final inspections by both were this morning at 7 a.m. Have you started the ball rolling with FEMA? If not, do so TODAY.

Dianne - It was actually P.C. Semkey who recommended contacting Peg's elected officials. I just recommended contacting their insurance company. I used to live near Lido Beach and would go bikeriding on the Long Beach boardwalk. Even a small storm would displace sand a block or two from the boardwalk, so Sandy must have moved the entire beach inland.

Thanks, I realized my error after I hit post, but didn't want to post again. So, I gave you credit were it wasn't due, but you were gentlemanly enough to correct me. I, too, lived there, what a tragedy.

I could not help but be moved by your plight. I am a newbie on this site, but if I were in your position, I would begin with calls to my elected officials. Tell them your mom is a senior citizen. This sort of problem is what politicians are made for. Begin with your Senate rep, the Democrat Bill Nelson

http://www.billnelson.senate.gov/contact/offices.cfm

And Marco Rubio:

http://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/

If you have the equivalent of New York City's City Council, call your rep there, and your state senator, Vern Buchanan:

http://www.buchanan.house.gov/

As an elected official of mine once said to me: "We love to get calls that give us something specific to do. It wins votes." Good luck.

"Condemned" generally means hazardous and/or unsafe for occupancy or use when applied to a building. A building can be repaired or demolished depending on the circumstances to make it safe. Therefore, in addition to contacting your management company and building manager - call your coop board members. They should be on top of this situation.

Most often condemned properties can be repaired and then reinspected and people can move back as soon as safe for use and/or habitation.

The Towers apparently took a beating, but it does not mean people will necessarily loose their homes or investments. However if repairs are made it is possible in a condo or coop that further assessments to cover those costs can occur. The silver lining is one can return home to the beautiful towers.

Contact FEMA to assist with temporary living arrangements.

Seena Amsel
a concerned Lido Beach resident