The POWERHOUSE Arena sits just blocks from the beautiful Brooklyn waterfront, and while we moved merchandise in preparation for the hurricane's 3'-11' surges predicted by the expert meteorologists, we were not prepared for a 14' rise in water level, which resulted in an inundation of 28" throughout our 5000 sf main floor. Tubs of kids books, event copies, stationery and totes were lifted off the Arena steps and sunk; cabinets bobbed in the rushing onslaught; within 20 minutes the Arena was flooded and then emptied, breaking out the front door glass window and taking more than a few items along the way. Many of our neighbors–Almondine Bakery, One Girl Cookie, Governor, Aegir Surfboards–were equally devastated, in some cases more so.

We've not fully tallied our losses, but they're in the several tens of thousands of dollars. Like many businesses, we don't have flood insurance. We're still trying to deep clean window sashes and sofas, and source new display tables and shelves. We're also contacting our wonderful suppliers to re-ship holiday orders and event copies. But we will reopen! And we'll need your support: please help our recovery by attending an event or doing your holiday shopping in Dumbo. Stay tuned for updates, including news about our #SandyHatesBooks fundraiser to replace our beautiful lost books.

If you'd like to help us rebuild and restock and can donate a small amount, your assistance will be dearly appreciated, and we will think of something very nice to do in honoring and celebrating your contribution.

All events this week are postponed (that includes the Abandonment exhibition, the Coloring for Grown-ups launch, and Sunday afternoon with the New York Review of Books Children's Collection). Keep abreast with updates on Twitter or on our new hurricane recovery tumblr.

Our thoughts are with everyone struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.