RI rushes to recover from Sandy as summer nears

WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) — Seven months after Superstorm Sandy pummeled Rhode Island’s southern shore, the great mounds of sand are gone, and the twisted metal and splintered wood hauled away, replaced by workers and backhoes as beachfront businesses hurry to complete repairs before the arrival of another New England summer.

Hammers and drills drown out the sound of the surf at Paddy’s Beach Restaurant and Hotel, which was nearly destroyed when Sandy walloped Westerly’s Misquamicut Beach. Co-owner Frank Labriola said recovery efforts began the day after the storm hit in October.