CNN published this photo gallery in December 2012, a month after Ryan Panetta's home and school in Queens were damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The then-13-year-old student never missed a day of classes, and often went straight from his temporary school to help rebuild his Broad Channel house. "I never thought a storm could do that much," he said.
'Never thought a storm could do that much' —
CNN published this photo gallery in December 2012, a month after Ryan Panetta's home and school in Queens were damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The then-13-year-old student never missed a day of classes, and often went straight from his temporary school to help rebuild his Broad Channel house. "I never thought a storm could do that much," he said.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
Ryan's younger brother, Christian, 8, wakes up before 6 a.m. at temporary housing in Brooklyn after his family's house in Broad Channel section of Queens was damaged by Superstorm Sandy.<br />
'Never thought a storm could do that much' —
Ryan's younger brother, Christian, 8, wakes up before 6 a.m. at temporary housing in Brooklyn after his family's house in Broad Channel section of Queens was damaged by Superstorm Sandy.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
Karen Panetta readies her children, Carly, 5, and Christian, 8, for school in early December. They used to spend minutes getting to school; now, the trips take hours.
'Never thought a storm could do that much' —
Karen Panetta readies her children, Carly, 5, and Christian, 8, for school in early December. They used to spend minutes getting to school; now, the trips take hours.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
Tim, 15, Christian and Carly rest on their way to a bus that will take them to school. Their family has temporarily relocated from Broad Channel section of Queens to an apartment in Brooklyn.
'Never thought a storm could do that much' —
Tim, 15, Christian and Carly rest on their way to a bus that will take them to school. Their family has temporarily relocated from Broad Channel section of Queens to an apartment in Brooklyn.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
Joe Panetta walks his youngest kids to a bus stop before school.<br />
'Never thought a storm could do that much' —
Joe Panetta walks his youngest kids to a bus stop before school.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
Athletic fields across the street from Ryan Panetta's school, Scholars' Academy, in Queens, remain in disrepair after Superstorm Sandy.<br />
'Never thought a storm could do that much' —
Athletic fields across the street from Ryan Panetta's school, Scholars' Academy, in Queens, remain in disrepair after Superstorm Sandy.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
Scholars' Academy is closed for repairs after Superstorm Sandy. (It reopened in early 2013).
'Never thought a storm could do that much' —
Scholars' Academy is closed for repairs after Superstorm Sandy. (It reopened in early 2013).
Evelio Contreras/CNN
Ryan Panetta helps to repair his family's home in the Broad Channel section of Queens.
'Never thought a storm could do that much' —
Ryan Panetta helps to repair his family's home in the Broad Channel section of Queens.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
The Panetta family's house is still uninhabitable, and the backyard is in disrepair.
'Never thought a storm could do that much' —
The Panetta family's house is still uninhabitable, and the backyard is in disrepair.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
Ryan Panetta and his siblings plays soccer outside his family's home in the Broad Channel section of Queens. They kids and their mom tried to stay in their house during the storm, but escaped to a neighbor's second story.<br />
'Never thought a storm could do that much' —
Ryan Panetta and his siblings plays soccer outside his family's home in the Broad Channel section of Queens. They kids and their mom tried to stay in their house during the storm, but escaped to a neighbor's second story.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
Karen Panetta hopes her family can return to their home in Broad Channel, where she and her husband grew up and where they've raised their kids. They're waiting on insurance or FEMA money to hire a contractor.
'Never thought a storm could do that much' —
Karen Panetta hopes her family can return to their home in Broad Channel, where she and her husband grew up and where they've raised their kids. They're waiting on insurance or FEMA money to hire a contractor.
Evelio Contreras/CNN