NYC Citizen Corps Council

Hurricane Sandy
Update: November 8,2012
Dear Partners,

The following information is designed to keep you updated as we recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy.

Our city is slowly but surely recovering from Hurricane Sandy, and now the Nor-easter that we were hit with yesterday. Even though some areas were hit with several inches of snow, the city is working diligently to get back on its feet and running at pre-Sandy conditions. Good work New Yorkers on staying strong and helping each other during these rough times!

This coastal storm that brought wind, rain, snow, and some coastal flooding should lose its grip on our region sometime today. Click here for more info. 
As the situation is constantly changing, check our social media sites for the latest information.  Twitter at @NYCOEM andFacebook.
Volunteer and Donations
Below are resources that you can use to support local relief efforts:   
  • Cash Donations: Cash donations are the best way to support relief efforts.  To give cash donations visit theMayor's Fund to Advance New York City.You can also text NYCFUND to 50555 to give $10 to the Mayor's Fund that will help provide essential aid and supplies to New Yorkers in need. 
  • Volunteer: Visit the NYC Service website (www.nycservice.org) for the most up-to-date volunteer opportunities throughout the five boroughs.
  • AidMatrix: If you are a company or organization with access to a large volume of items and would like to donate them to the disaster relief effort, visit theAidMatrix portal.  At this site you can match a posted need or make a general offer of supplies. 
  • Give Blood: Giving blood is incredibly helpful right now. For more information visit: nybloodcenter.org.
Post-Storm Resources 
Federal Disaster Assistance: Anyone affected by Sandy (homeowners, renters, and businesses)  should apply for federal disaster assistance as soon as possible. Register at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Before you call, be sure to have the following information ready:
  • Address of affected property
  • Insurance information
  • Social Security Number 

Insurance Information Institute: For answers to questions regarding insurance policies and claims, check out www.iii.org, a great resource for improving the public's understanding of insurance.  
Airbnb: Airbnb has partnered with the City of New York to connect those in need of housing with people who are able to provide free housing. To supplement City-run shelters, Airbnb announced a new way for displaced New Yorkers to find free places to stay. To find a place to stay or to offer up your place, click here  
  
Food, Water, and Blanket Distribution:  Food and water continues to be distributed at these locations.

Water Safety Update: Residents of Breezy Point, Queens are advised NOT to drink the tap water. Breezy Point residents will be provided with safe water by NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) at portable water stations. Bottled water is being distributed. Tap water remains safe to drink in other areas of NYC.

Health Department: As power is being resotored and New Yorkers returning to their homes, the Health Department has released these  Food and Water Guidelines.   

Warming Centers:  With the drop in temperatures this week, the City is providing daytime an overnight warming shelter locations in the five boroughs for a place to get out of the cold. 
 
Shelters:  The Hurricane Sandy public shelter system remains open.  For an updated list of open shelters click here. Furthermore, there will be bus service to select overnight shelter locations from 4-9PM today. Click here for details.     

Disaster Recovery Center:
Sites with information about applying for emergency social and economic assistance have been set up in six locations throughout the city. At these sites the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is available to help homeowners apply for loans. A list of locations is available here.

Replacement SNAP (formerly food stamps) Benefits for New Yorkers Impacted by Hurricane Sandy: New York has received a waiver for areas hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy. Current recipients of SNAP will be automatically issued 50 percent of monthly benefits to replace food lost as a result of the storm starting next week.  A list of eligible zip codes can be found here.  

 

Small Businesses: For information about services to assist small businesses in recovering from Hurricane Sandy visit: http://www.nycedc.com/backtobusiness 

Pubic School Information: Most NYC public schools reopened Monday. For a complete listing of school closures, visithttp://schools.nyc.gov/default.  

Notice to Homeowners: If your home heating oil tank has leaked into your basement or has been damaged by the storm, please contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYCDEC) to pump the oil out, free of charge. NYCDEC can be reached at (718)-482-7376.    

NYC Department of Sanitation: The Department of Sanitation is making reduced trash collections to areas not heavily affected by the storm. They will not be collecting recyclables at the time, and ask that homes store their recyclables for now, so the Department can focus on Storm Cleanup in areas most devastated by Sandy. For more information, click here.   
Disclaimer
The NYC Citizen Corps Council Newsletter is being offered for general informational purposes only.  Messages are sent through the NYC Citizen Corps Council Newsletter to help members of the public make informed decisions relating to fast-breaking developments.  Under the circumstances, the City assumes no duties to registrants or others and disclaims any right for such persons to rely on the system or its messages.  Also, no assurances can be made that the messages sent through the NYC Citizen Corps Council Communication Network will be timely, complete or fully accurate or that registrants will receive a particular message.


Real-Time
Information
Emergency Notifications:

NYC Severe Weather:

Forecast: 
Mental Health Information
Disaster Distress Helpline:providing immediate counseling to anyone in need. 
Call: 800-985-5990 
Text "TalkWithUS" to 66746
TTY: 800-846-8517
 
LifeNet (NYC Only):
For residents of the five boroughs.  Multi-lingual, toll-free and confidential crisis hotline.
800-543-3638 (English)
877-298-3373(Spanish)
877-990-8585 (Asian)
212-982-5284 (TTY)
Damage Reporting
We encourage all New Yorkers to report damage from the storm. This helps the City determine need and estimate the storm's total effect.  Be prepared to answer questions about the extent of the damage.

A list of insurance plan toll-free phone numbers can be foundhere
 Individual and Organizational
Preparedness


NYC Citizen Corps Council Contact Information
Address:
NYC Citizen Corps Council
c/o NYC OEM
165 Cadman Plaza East
Brooklyn, NY 11201

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