Regional Wide Issue?

What would happen if there were this sort of calamity on a regional wide scale? 

It's been 3 months and there are still hundreds without power in the Sandy affected areas......   Right in the NYC region at that! 

Sandy victims left out in the cold during arctic blast

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/24/sandy-victims-left-out-in-cold-during-arctic-blast/#ixzz2J0Fh52kD