Did the storm tear the town apart or did people come together? It's an interesting question. I think it did both. Environmentally, there is no question: it did damage; it literally tore the town apart. Politically, it awakened dissent. Why is that a bad thing? I suppose it could be pessimistically charactized as "tearing the town apart," but pluralism is healthy and free speech is our birthright. Finally, a community of private citizens turned out; they came together and helped their neighbors without hesitation. The only bad thing I see was the storm damage itself.