STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Irene came and went but the damage she wrought lingers.

Across Staten Island yesterday, residents donned waterproof boots and descended into flooded basements, or called tree services and roofers to repair damage to their property. Leaf blowers, chainsaws and generators were humming on seemingly every other street.

"It's unbelievable," said Christopher Hague, as he surveyed his flooded yard and basement in Ocean Breeze. "There's no power, either." For many, no power meant no sump pumps -- which meant basements full of water

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