Last year, Greene County and surrounding areas were hard-hit by Tropical Storm Irene. There was loss of life, and much of the damage caused by that storm more than a year ago has still not been repaired.

This week, when Hurricane Sandy struck the Northeast, our area was luckier, although there was flooding and some homes and businesses did incur damage. But New York City and New Jersey, which had escaped the worst of last year’s storm, took a tremendous blow this time, with many deaths (41 in the city alone, as of today) and horrendous, historic damage, currently estimated at $50 billion.

A parking garage near Wall Street.     Damon Winter/The New York Times

Would you be surprised if another major storm hit the Northeast next year? No? Then why aren’t we talking about it? Why isn’t climate change on the political agenda?

Speaking of politics, there was a refreshing break in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Both presidential campaigns were suspended, Obama’s for a day longer than Romney’s. There was even some bipartisan cooperation between President Obama and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who hailed Obama as “outstanding”.

What’s really refreshing, though, is yesterday’s surprise announcement by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg that he is endorsing President Obama—because Obama is more likely to take on the challenge of climate change than Romney, who now denies the issue, in line with Tea Party orthodoxy.

Way to go, Mayor Bloomberg. If Hurricane Sandy turns out to be an “October surprise” that helps get Obama re-elected, then maybe the country will finally start taking climate change seriously.