Now she and other travellers stranded on the island are helping with the repair effort.

BBC: Woman helping in tsunami clear-up

The Army Corps of Engineers report also listed beach repair projects in Coney Island, the Rockaways and Long Beach as being potentially eligible for complete federal funding.

WSJ: The Fire Island Blues

The agency's commissioner, Ronald Richter, said the funds will be used to repair 12 child-care centers in areas including Staten Island, Coney Island and the Rockaways that were damaged by Sandy.

WSJ: United Way handing out $5 million in Sandy aid