It can be tough to see right now, but the Chathams made it through Tropical Storm Sandy relatively well-off.

There was no widespread flooding as there was in when Tropical Storm Irene hit in August 2011. There were no injuries reported, even after the storm left and energized wires were down all over town.

Still, the impact of the storm was severe. Nearly every home and business lost power, and many were without it for over 10, 12 or 14 days. When that happens, the true toll can be taken on residents in many different ways.

First, there was the shortage of groceries such as bread and milk, and the shortage of survival items such as flashlights and batteries. If you were lucky enough to find a generator, you paid whatever it took to acquire it.

Then the ability to purchase gas became a problem. Gas stations were closed or without power. When they opened, consumers waited for hours, sometimes only to have the station run out of fuel or only accept cash.

Cash, for some of us, wasn't so easy to come by. Banks were closed. The usual ATMs were inside local stores that hadn't yet had their power restored. When power was restored, they couldn't connect to your bank. When they could, the ATM was out of cash. The Bank of America ATM on Fairmount Avenue in Chatham was unable to dispense funds for days.

Then came the lack of classes. School buildings in town were without power for a full week, keeping children at home. For some, childcare became necessary while others lost a bit of sanity with kids running up the walls. 

If you were lucky, you were able to find a hotel room or a friend or relative to stay with. If not, you went home to a cold, dark house.

Of course, without power, you can't cook at home, which means you spent a whole lot of money on takeout food. 

The point we're trying to make is, Sandy was a trying time for everyone in the Chathams.

What we want to know is, what did the storm and its wrath cost you? Both financially, emotionally, mentally?

Vote in our poll below, and be sure to add your thoughts in the comment section.