As the Northeast still reels from the fallout of Sandy’s wrath, the pain of family, friends and co-workers is felt around the globe. Here at Current TV, our morning team control room might be based in the Los Angeles bureau, but we’re natives of the Northeast. And three of us on the front deck of the control room are from New Jersey specifically. Our senior producer, Courtney Ford, and our director, Reggie Stash, were born and raised in North Jersey. Vikki Agovino, our fearless chat leader is a Philly girl. I’m a South Jersey girl myself. All of our hometown stomping grounds have been shaken to their cores by this storm.

Despite our California dreams, what we all share are memories of summers down the Jersey Shore.

For me, my family’s origins down the shore are in Ventnor, N.J. My grandparents were a dance act called Grey and Arden in the vaudeville era.  They tapped their way down Steel Pier on the Atlantic City boardwalk. I spent summers in the sleepy beach town of Stone Harbor eating homemade ice cream at Springers, heading to the Wildwood waterslides and visiting Lucy the Elephant in Margate.  My big brother used to sneak me out of the suburbs and down to Ocean City to play ski ball. The food, sounds and sights of the beaches and boardwalks in New Jersey are a roadmap to my heart and the history of my family.

Reggie writes, “The impact of Sandy’s wrath can be personally felt from Fort Lee to Atlantic City. I am not sure any of these places will be the same physically, but the perseverance and strength of the people that live there will only grow stronger. I have fond memories of spending time between Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights and Asbury Park and still have family and friends living there. It is devastating to imagine these places destroyed physically, but like I said, the spirit of the people will never wane. Here’s to a speedy recovery. Stay strong.”

Courtney writes, “That Sandy sure was sassy, it’s hard to watch the footage of the mass destruction she left in her path. I wish I could be there to help my family, friends and all affected. As a true Jersey girl, I know the people in the tri-state are full of courage and heart. I grew up out in Lebanon Township, I went to Rutgers, I lived in New Jersey until two and half years ago when I moved to Los Angeles. Not a day goes by I don’t think of home, especially this week. I find myself working harder, pushing myself more, running faster, appreciating the roof over head, a hot shower and being able to get gas. My summers at the shore were amazing, I can’t even begin. Hey, I’m from Jersey, I got stories galore. Seeing the blimp fly by while grabbing ice cream, walking the boardwalk holding my mom and dad’s hands, waiting in line for pork roll, egg and cheese, getting fresh donuts with my pop-pop, belly boarding with my dad and sister, chatting it up on the parkway in traffic, half shirts, and OP corduroy shorts! Just saying  “going down the shore” makes me smile. Stay strong, Jersey.”

As the morning team gears up for election week coverage, the recovery of our beloved hometowns and all those impacted by Sandy’s destruction stays in the front of our thoughts.