Video Diary of Sandy: 'Thick With Sad Here'
A local filmmaker completes the first part of a film about the Oct. 29 'superstorm' that devastated Ocean City.
The floodwaters from Sandy stopped just shy of the first-floor living space at John Thornton's house in the Ocean City Homes neighborhood on the south end of Ocean City.
But the physical and emotional devastation he witnessed in the aftermath of the massive coastal storm led the the Art Institute of Philadelphia teacher and amateur filmmaker to document the storm's toll on his friends and neighbors.
Thornton, who has created a number of short films about Ocean City, is at work on a longer form movie called "Sandy, a Video Diary." The first 14-minute segment is included with this story. It starts on Saturday, Oct. 27, two days before Sandy makes landfall and continues through the storm. The film includes video and still images from Ocean City Patch coverage of the storm.
Thornton is at work on a second segment that will focus on the aftermath. He returned to the island on Tuesday afternoon, the day after the storm hit, and he has extensive footage of what he saw, as well as interviews with people affected.
Check back with Ocean City Patch for links to the second segment when it is complete.
Dave Kelleher
9:35 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
Wow, terrific diary of the events. John is right, the Patch is awesome. Can't wait for the next installment.
Jacqueline M
10:07 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
I felt the same need to document everything and share it, it was my way of grieving.
CHRIS BLY
12:25 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Thank you for this real life story-Hope all is well and recovery comes quickly for you
Kerry Berk
12:43 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
I too, used the Patch for updates throughout Sandy, and shared the info far and wide with other OC displaced residents and home owners. Thanks for the great work you do, Doug.
John Thornton
4:22 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Thanks for the kind words! I will be forever grateful to Doug Bergen and the role Patch has played in keeping us informed. I am quite sure I am not the only one who, during evacuation, found Doug's work to be a godsend. I am working on the next part of my documentary, which involves my first day back after evacuation.
wjs
10:13 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
john- i had almost forgotten our "encounter" on the beach two days before the storm. this is a wonderful video. like you, i have tons of video and pictures of the days before and after the storm. i am saddened that my pre storm predictions came true (unfortunately, i did not foresee the water getting into the duct work and insulation under my own house, but that can and will be replaced). looking forward to your 2nd installment and to seeing you on the beach in nicer weather!
Debra Kleeman
4:55 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012
John, I live on Clipper Dr and have a few photos of th southend the day after the storm if you would like to see them. Let me know.
Libby Liess
4:57 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Thank you, John, for this documentary. Ocean City has been my home for 9 yrs and your video captured all i was feeling as the storm was approaching..... the anticipation of what was about to happen was extremely difficult. I think we all knew it was going to be severe, and i feared losing our home. I live on the beach, and my house survived. But our cafe on 8th street flooded. I will be anxious to see part 2 of your documentary.
Patty
5:36 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
John, you are obviously a very kind and compassionate man....thank you for the listening and the telling, it certainly helps with the healing! <3
John Thornton
8:34 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
One of the things I want to look at in my movie is how people are much more resilient and compassionate than they think they are. I have talked to people whose hearts are breaking and yet are helping other people. People who keep their young kids happy despite their own suffering. Heros in our midst.
Julie Baumgardner
8:37 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Doug. you are the best!
Neil Kaye
8:49 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Great Job!
Jim Thornton
11:20 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
magnificent! maybe next summer, when the sun is out and the breezes are balmy, John could make a third installment--a resilient town makes its comeback. so many people from all over the country love coming to relax at the Jersey Shore. I hope they'll learn about this great film series and the wonderful journalism Doug Bergen is doing.
John Hayes
6:45 am on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thanks for providing such a great local resource.
Just a minor comment, the middle video is upside down.
Maureen Laughead
6:59 am on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thank you for this enlightening video! I too am so very grateful to Dan Skeldon and Doug Bergen for the only updates I was able to receive on my phone due to the loss of electricity at my home in Bucks County. It's so sad to see the city I love hurt by Mother Nature!
John Thornton
9:23 am on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Wendy, you were right on with your predictions. Like you, I am very much hoping we get some beach replenishment in the south end. I feel very vulnerable with the "naked beach" we now have from 47th south. I am almost done with my second part. If anyone who stayed has any photos or video of the storm and would be willing to let me use it (full credit of course) for my movie, I would be very grateful. My email address is johnthornton1@comcast.net Thanks!
Jim Miller
12:18 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Great video, John, and wonderful work by Doug Bergen and Dan Skeldon who were the ones that kept us informed throughout the storm. Looking forward to the next installment. I have posted your video on my Ocean City blog with many pictures from the storm...http://ocnjthrutheyears.blogspot.com/
John Thornton
2:11 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Hey Jim Thanks! Bythe way your link needs to be separated from "storm..." Here is the correct link to your blog
http://ocnjthrutheyears.blogspot.com/
NJ dreamin'
10:25 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2012
As others have said before me, my husband and I found the Patch to be a lifeline as we sat in Illinois watching the storm approach our house at 16th and Central. We were also thankful for readers of the Patch, such as Jane Rubino, who went out into the streets after the storm to report back to other out-of-area residents on the condition of their homes and neighborhoods. So much loss and pain, but also so much kindness and care. We look forward to the next installment of your evocative film. Thank you for sharing this with us.
BLDShamrock
8:26 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012
Thank you for taking the time to put this wonderful video together....being a homeowner who evacuated I truly understand what you mean when you say it was nervewracking.....I have security cameras and could watch the water rise all around my home until the power finally went out. It was almost a blessing that the power went out so I couldn't constantly watch in disbelief. Now for the recovery phase....
Sko Hayes
7:58 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
I've just watched the second part, and it was heart breaking to see the damage to the dunes and to the older homes on the south end, but good that people are not in despair.
Thank you so much for the video, John. And thank you to the Patch for bringing it to us!