Hurricane Sandy Updated Information and Resources

Tips, Info, and Resources:

Important Safety Tips:

• You are still encouraged to remain inside for your safety as crews assess downed power lines and open manholes.
• Please check on your neighbors – especially the elderly and disabled – now more than ever New Yorker’s need each other!
• Cellular service is very limited in certain areas related to the power outages, please locate someone with a traditional “land-line” hard wired home phone in case the need to make emergency phone calls may arise – develop a plan!
• Fully loaded freezers can keep food an average of 36 hours, DO NOT open to check them
• Reports of power outages and gas issues should be directed to 1-800-75-CONED
• Reports of downed trees should be directed to 311, NOT 911
• All East River bridges are now open, but subject to periodic closures if winds increase
• The 2012 Annual East Village Halloween Parade has been CANCELLED.
• The NYPD has also increased high visibility patrols in areas without power for everyone’s safety. As always, if you see criminal activity please report it immediately to 911.

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance:

Those in the county designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly.The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice. For more detailed information click here.

Food and Water Distribution Stations:

For a list of NYC food and water distribution locations, please visit:http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/foodandwater.html. Additional sites will be added to the list as information becomes available.

Red Cross Volunteers Needed:

Thousands of Red Cross workers and volunteers are currently on the scene across multiple eastern states serving meals and snacks to families with no electricity or running water, providing shelter, clean-up kits, emotional support and more. For as long as we’re needed, we’ll be there but we are currently in need of more support. Volunteers are needed to help in New York and New Jersey. Can we count on you?
We are looking for people to help in the following ways: provide assistance in shelters, provide support in our warehouses, help with distributing needed supplies, help with serving meals, help in identifying areas that are damaged, so that we can send the right services.
If you are able to volunteer your time for one day or more, please click here to register as available and a Red Cross representative will reach out to you shortly.

Tech Volunteers Needed:

NY Tech Meetup and New Work City are organizing volunteers with technology skills to help with relief efforts and help New York-area businesses and organizations get their technology back up and running after Hurricane Sandy. Fill out the info form here.

Bronx Emergency Blood Drive This Friday:

The New York Blood Center (NYBC) has lost approximately 4500 units of blood due to cancellations Mon – Wed. They anticipate that they will continue to be forced to cancel blood drives throughout the weekend and perhaps even into next week. In all, NYBC will likely have lost 6000 or more donations, and types O-, B- and platelets are in extremely short supply. The Bronx was hit very hard in the storm but if there is anything you can do to help we would really appreciate it. This Friday from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Bronx County Building.

Assistance for Queens Businesses Affected by Hurricane Sandy:

The Queens Chamber of Commerce is committed to the safety and success of its businesses, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us should you need any assistance or have any questions at all. Please visit the following websites to learn more about the assistance available to you and your business: how to find assistance/apply for assistance, interactive map from ConEdison which lists outages and includes projected service times/dates, New York City Business Assistance Programs. Please be careful during this time of recovery. Many dangers may be hidden by water and debris. Do not hesitate to reach out to the Queens Chamber should you have any questions at all. Our phone number is 718-898-8500.

St. Bernadette’s Church is Accepting Donations:
St. Bernadette’s Church is accepting donations for hurricane relief. Items can be dropped off to the rectory Mon-Fri 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm and 6pm-8:30pm. 8201 13th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11228 (718) 837-3400

Helping Hands for the Disabled Request for Donations:
Many of our clients lost food due to power outages. We could use some food or gift cards to help them recoup. If you can help call 718-606-9712, Helping Hands for the Disabled of NYC.