It’s hard to wrap your brain around the widespread and devastating destruction that Hurricane Sandy brought to the north-eastern US last month.

But now, thanks to NOAA and Google Earth, you can get bird’s eye view of the damage in an interactive format.

NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey website allows visitors to see a map of the region and click on an icon to view a thumbnail or high definition image.

The map is quiet large and detailed, and can be a bit daunting to use.  However, on their website, NOAA has supplied some before and after images of some of the hardest hit areas that are also interactive and very easy to use.  You can alternate between the “before” and “after” images simply by sweeping your mouse across the picture.

Areal imagery like this is often the first step taken by government officials to assess damage from storms.

All images courtesy of NOAA

-WeatherWatch.co.nz