Mike Zelinski is 79 and has lived in his Brooklyn home for more than 40 years, but he has found himself homeless ever since Hurricane Sandy ravaged the east coast.

"Everything was underwater," Zelinski told KFOX14.

Electricity was knocked out in Gerritsen Beach where Zelinski lives and continues to be down more than a week and a half later.

Zelinski showed KFOX14 the extent of the damage to his home.

"When the water came rushing in, the refrigerator went up and down," Zelinski said. "The bed, forget about it. The mirror was on the wall. I thought it was crashing. It slid down."

The peninsula Brooklyn neighborhood was considered Zone B, meaning New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg did not require an evacuation like in other areas. It was only after the hurricane hit that an evacuation order was declared -- something that residents like Zelinski said came too late.

"You could see the water where the lines were so high," Zelinski said.

Neighborhoods across the tri-state area are dealing with the aftermath just like Zelinski.

KFOX14 captured video of fallen trees and broken traffic lights in Queens and New Rochelle.

But Zelinski said that doesn't compare to those who have lost their homes and even their lives. He considers himself one of the lucky ones to make it out and said it's all thanks to his neighbors who came to his rescue.

"He lifted me, and the other guy across the street lifted my legs and pulled me out of there," Zelinski said.

Zelinski said its the items he lost that can't be replaced that are most upsetting.

"Five generations of pictures are gone," Zelinski said.

Residents in Gerritsen Beach told KFOX14 they were told it could take up to a week to restore power.