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How to Help the Survivors of Hurricane Sandy

October 31, 2012 at 11:01 AM ET by Matt Compton

Summary:

Here are suggestions from FEMA about ways to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Recovery and cleanup in the wake of Hurricane Sandy has now started along much of the East Coast. As survivors of the storm begin to deal with the aftermath of the giant storm, people across the country are asking what they can do to offer aid to their fellow Americans, and the federal governent remains committed to providing all available resources to support affected areas, as directed by President Obama.

We've put together this page to help you find the information you're looking for, whether you want to get help, or get involved in the recovery process.

Help Others+

FEMA offers this list of suggestions for people who want to help storm survivors and affected areas:

Cash is the most efficient method of donating. Cash offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources and pumps money into the local economy to help businesses recover. Remember, unsolicited donated goods such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, and mixed or perishable foodstuffs require helping agencies to redirect valuable resources away from providing services to sort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors.
At the national level, many voluntary-, faith- and community-based organizations are active in disasters, and are trusted ways to donate to disaster survivors. In addition to the national members, each state has its own list of voluntary organizations active in disasters. If you’d like to donate or volunteer to assist those affected by Sandy, these organizations are the best place to start.
Give blood. Numerous blood drives have been canceled as a result of the storm and the Red Cross has a need for blood donations. To schedule a blood donation or for more information about giving blood or platelets, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Affiliate with existing non-profit organizations before coming to the disaster area. Immediately following a disaster, a community can become easily overwhelmed by the amount of generous people who want to help. Contacting and affiliating with an established organization will help to ensure that you are appropriately trained to respond in the most effective way.
Be safe. Do not self deploy until a need has been identified and the local community impacted has requested support. Wait until it is safe to travel to volunteer sites and opportunities have been identified. Once assigned a position, make sure you have been given an assignment and are wearing proper safety gear for the task.
Be patient. Recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention. There will be volunteer needs for many months, often years, after the disaster - especially when the community enters the long-term recovery period.

For more, check out this volunteering resource page from FEMA.

Get Help+

If you live in an area affected by the storm, there are a number of resources available to help you get the recovery assistance you need.

Survivors in declared counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut can register for assistance. Learn more information and FAQs before you apply for assistance
Your business may be eligible for disaster assistance from the Small Business Administration.

Safety is a primary issue when you're recovering from a disaster. Follow these tips to help ensure your safety and cope with the disaster. If you aren't able to return home, states, tribes, localities, and the Red Cross continue to operate emergency shelters along the East Coast. Here's how to find shelter:

Monitor conditions in your area; find shelter; and let others know you are safe, with the Red Cross Hurricane App.
Download the FEMA app to find a map with open shelters and open FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.
Call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Search for shelters via text message: text: SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example: Shelter 01234 (standard rates apply).

Resources+

President Obama Meets with Damien and Glenda Moore

President Barack Obama meets privately with Damien and Glenda Moore at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center tent in Staten Island, N.Y., Nov. 15, 2012. The Moore’s two small children, Brandon and Connor, died after being swept away during Hurricane Sandy. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)