The preparations are what they are. We're here. The storm is coming. We are as best prepared as we can be as the eye of the storm approaches.

Hurricane Sandy was one of the most vicious storm systems to hit the New York City area in nearly two centuries.

By-and-large, these are families that are just waiting to get out of here. They are frustrated; I would be, too. I get frustrated at the cash register counter when the paper runs out.

The National Guard has served America as both a wartime force and the first military responders in times of domestic crisis. Hundreds of times each year, the nation's governors call upon their Guard troops to respond to fires, floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

You know, we lose more homes every year to flooding than we do any other event in America.

Leadership means forming a team and working toward common objectives that are tied to time, metrics, and resources.