By Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven Girl Scout Caroline Peters made it through Hurricane Sandy unscathed.

But the teen, daughter of Councilman Jonathan Peters, saw what the storm did to the property of people she knew well and cared about. She watched as it ripped up the iconic Fair Haven Dock, a traditional spot for all those who grow up Fair Haven style.

She processed it all and figured out a way to map out Sandy and other hurricanes’  history while educating all who visit the dock on what such waterborne storm surges have done and can do and how to protect against them.

The project, undertaken as a Girl Scout Gold Star initiative, manifested itself as a researched, detailed dock-anchored informational map/sign. It was unveiled, local officials, including proud papa Jonathan Peters, on Oct. 31.

“So much (devastation) happened,” Caroline Peters said at the unveiling. “People lost their homes. I wanted to make a sign just to teach people and remind them how to stay safe and how to avoid getting in trouble with a storm surge.”

The Foundation of Fair Haven, a 501c3 non-profit that fundraises for Fair Haven Day and other capital expenses throughout town, donated $500 toward the sign, Councilwoman Susan Sorensen, who also heads the foundation, said.

“She did a very impressive job with it,” she said.

The sign, entitled “Superstorm Sandy, A Lesson on Storm Surges,” maps out low-lying areas and post-Sandy flood zones. It also gives a history of Sandy and shows examples of Sandy damage and measures for storm protection.

There’s also a high water mark on the dock, showing the point that Sandy’s surge reached, which was about 11 feet above sea level.

Take a look.