Coney Island was hard hit by Sandy, and I saw reports of flooding on Neptune Avenue, home to coal-oven institution Totonno's.

I called Lawrence Ciminieri to check in on him, his family, and the pizzeria. His mom, Louise "Cookie" Ciminieri picked up.

First things first: She says she and her family are doing fine, which was a relief. They live on Staten Island, which was also devastated by the storm.

The pizzeria, she says, was flooded but that there was no significant structural damage and that pending a good clean-up, it should reopen.

Who knows when that will be, considering much of Coney still has no power and is a mess.

Here's hoping the Coney Island community stays strong and gets the help it needs.