While growing up in New Orleans, Eli Manning lived through his share of hurricanes. But from a distance.

"We always left for hurricanes," Manning said Wednesday as the New York Giants returned to work in East Rutherford, N.J., amid the widespread wreckage of Hurricane Sandy. "I didn't really have the option this time of getting out of Dodge.

"You know, it's no joke, and it can be very serious. In this situation, you have to ride it out and hope there isn't major danger."

SEE: Manning's flooded condo building

Manning, who lives in Hoboken, N.J., lost power in his condominium, which took water into its lobby, but that's a minor inconvenience compared to lost homes and lost lives that is Sandy's legacy from the Jersey Shore to Long Island and beyond.

And now, as New Jersey struggles to get back to normal, or as close to normal as possible, Manning and his teammates try to concentrate on Sunday's game at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul insisted Wednesday that the superstorm "isn't going to affect us at all."

But that might be wishful thinking.

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With New Jersey still in a state of emergency, President Obama toured the devastated areas Wednesday, with Gov. Chris Christie as a guide. As almost every television station beams images of the widespread disaster, concentrating on football won't be easy for players whose lives have been interrupted. Plus, some of the storm's images are burned into Manning's brain.

"I saw water coming over the Hudson River, into the streets, and you see cars completely covered with water, and so, obviously, it can be scary," Manning said. "The wind was blowing and the windows were shaking, and you just hope the building holds up and the windows don't crack."

Manning moved his family to a hotel, where they had power and normal amenities. But that meant 24-hour cable news, too.

"I saw some pictures (of) some of the tragic events and the deaths and the fires and loss of homes in New York and New Jersey and all over," Manning said. "Just some terrible stories. You send out prayers to those families and those people who are still going through terrible situations.

"I feel fortunate that we can come in and come to work and be with our friends and teammates here, and my family is safe. I feel fortunate that we're here today."

Tight end Martellus Bennett said he and his wife stayed at guard Kevin Boothe's house in Rutherford because Boothe had power. Players without electricity, who aren't bunking in with teammates or booking hotel rooms, might have to spend more time at the complex, watching film.

But can the players focus on the game?

"We've had a couple of days to be with our families and kind of deal with the situation, and it's not easy," Manning said. "There's still a lot of issues and no power and the home life is different and has its challenges, but I think once you get into the facility and get here and start working out and get around the teammates, it will be a good little break to kind of get away from that.

"Once you get here, everything feels pretty normal."

Manning said he prepared for the storm by loading game video into his laptop before Sandy hit. While confined to his condo by the storm and the flooding, he boned up on the Steelers defense.

"I had time yesterday to watch a bunch (of film) and I feel caught up," he said. "I feel right where I need to be."