Feeling fortunate in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Depending on where you were standing Tuesday, Sandy still packed a punch.

"The storm last night is omnipotent," said Eric Dimartino. "It was just an incredible storm with the wind, water, and waves. The waves would hit the wall and go approximately 30-40 feet high. It was spectacular."

Dimartino's West Haven property is without power, part of his yard is without grass, but he is not without a home and that's what counts.

"Is is that balance between being fascinated and being a little scared?"
"It's a combination. It's like being on a roller-coaster. It's scary, it's exciting, it's also a little dangerous."

West Haven's mayor said he feels like he really dodged a bullet with this storm. The reason being, had Sandy stalled and churned out over the water he believes there would have been more destruction on the shoreline. Instead, the bulk of his problems are more inland with down wires, and trees."

Shawn Norton has a big problem in her parents yard at the corner of Grand and Mohawk.  Sandy pushed a large oak over like it was a sapling.  

"I came around the corner last night coming home from work, normally you see the big tree, in the sky, and it was dark, and you didn't see the tree. Kind of heart breaking."

Power lines came crashing down, wrapping itself around some of Shawn's cars. She heard she may not have electricity for another four our five days.

"Gas heat?"
"Nope, electric," Norton said. "We'll see how bad it gets."

It's bad in some spots, but it could have been worse.  And considering the punch that Sandy gave to so many neighboring communities West Haven is seeing the silver lining on a grey day.

"We were able to get through. We were very, very happy, weathering this storm of the century since 1938."