Hurricane Sandy caused unbelievable damage to persons and property in New York State,
particularly in downstate areas of New York. As the photos now show us, Long Island,
New York City and the Hudson Valley were hit hard by the storm surge, which caused
massive flooding, fires and power outages in many neighborhoods. Normal living conditions
will not resume for some time in many communities.
New Yorkers Volunteer encourages all citizens to volunteer their time to
help neighbors in need. However, if you are not already affiliated and trained by
American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT),
or other recognized emergency response agency please do not attempt to show up at
an impacted to help without first contacting the organization. First responders
are specially trained for initial efforts. After the first responders handle the
immediate situation, the disaster relief agencies evaluate the specific needs for
specific locations. Feel free to search the websites of your Regional Volunteer
Centers for volunteer opportunities. Links to New York State’s Regional Volunteer
Center can be found on this page.
Governor Cuomo’s Office has posted the following information:
New Yorkers can stay updated on efforts of state officials by visiting the Governor’s
website at Governor.ny.gov. On the website,
you can view the latest transportation alerts for mass transit service, as well
as bridge and tunnel re-openings. The site also provides the latest power outage
maps and reports from different power companies, as well as their contact information.
People can also follow @NYGovCuomo on
Twitter for the latest updates and tips for after the storm.
For immediate disaster assistance, contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or the NYS Hurricane
Sandy Helpline at 1-888-769-7243.
If your property was directly impacted by the storm, take care when entering and
evaluating the damage, as there may be hidden risks. We have attached information
from the New York State Department of Health to provide guidance.
Click here for more information.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by Hurricane Sandy. As we recover,
please remember that New Yorkers are resilient and will overcome this challenge,
as we have before.