Hurricane Sandy Info - Sullivan County

HURRICANE SANDY INFORMATION 

 
SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (Updated December 26, 2012) 
Donations
Donate Funds Online or by Check
Food Pantries in Need of Food
Corporate Donation Opportunities
Drop-Off Sites
 
Gas Shortage Update
Health Alerts
Mental Health
Power Outage Updates
Road Closures / Transportation
 
Find a Shelter Near You 
Shelters that Allow Pets
Transitional Shelter Program (FEMA)
 Food/Water Assistance
Food Pantries 
Soup Kitchens
Disaster Food Stamps (D-SNAP)
Food Stamp Replacement Due to Storm
Dry Ice and Water Distribution Sites
Food Safety
 
Individual Assistance
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Deadline Extensions
 

 

                   

 

 

DONATIONS

No information at this time.

 
UPDATES & ALERTS

 

Gas Shortage Update
Gas stations in the area are now back to normal service.

 

Mental Health
Storm-Related Counseling: A toll-free help line is available, 1-800-LIFENET (543-3638), to provide confidential, 24 hour/day, information and referral by professionally staffed individuals in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and TTY for the hearing impaired.

 
Power Outage Updates
 
Road Closures / Transportation

All roads are now passable. 

 

SHELTER ASSISTANCE

 

Transitional Shelter Program (FEMA)

1. Register with FEMA, call (866) 863-8673 or visit website: http://www.fema.gov/apply-assistance
2. FEMA will assess eligibility
3. If applicant qualifies for temporary shelter, than an autodial will go to caller with a website (http://www.femaevachotels.com/) that they can go to for a list of hotels
4. Caller must bring to hotel:
     Photo ID
     FEMA registration ID #

 

Find a Shelter Near You
There are no shelters open at this time.
 
Red Cross

To find the shelter closest to you that is open, please download the Red Cross Hurricane App or visit:http://www.redcross.org/nss.

The Red Cross Shelters will provide food, beverages, a safe place to sleep, health and mental health services for those in need. People coming to the shelters should bring:
  • Bedding for each member of the family 
  • Diapers and formula for children
  • Prescription medicines
  • Toiletries
  • Food for special dietary needs
Please note that the only animals permitted in Red Cross shelters are service animals; for safety and health reasons. 

 

 

FOOD/WATER ASSISTANCE
 
 
Disaster Food Stamps (D-SNAP)
DSS will NOT be giving out D-SNAP (disaster Food Stamps) to residents of Sullivan County.
 

Food Stamp Replacement Due to Storm

If you lost food purchased with SNAP benefits due to Hurricane Sandy, there is help available. Current SNAP households that have lost food purchased with their benefits as a result of the storm are entitled to replacement benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has agreed to provide current SNAP recipients in disaster designated areas with 50%percent of their October monthly benefit amount. Contact your local department of social services or visit website: http://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp\ or call 1-800-342-3009.
Click Here for frequently asked questions.  Please note that Food Stamp (SNAP) recipients will be able to continue using their Replacement SNAP EBT card and SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods and prepared food items at authorized SNAP retailers through January 31, 2013.


Dry Ice and Water Distribution Sites

Distributions of dry ice and water have been discontinued.
 

Food Safety

The Department of Health cautions residents to follow certain steps to determine if food is safe during and following a weather emergency.

  • Never taste food to determine its safety.
  • Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed to maintain the cold temperature.
  • Generally a refrigerator will keep food safely cold for approximately 4 hours; a freezer for about 24 hours.
  • Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
  • Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items after 4 hours without power.

When in doubt, throw it out.  

 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

A federal disaster declaration now offers Individual Assistance to residents of Sullivan County.

FEMA Individual Assistance (IA)
IA is disaster assistance directed to families, individuals, and businesses within a disaster area. Applications can be submitted by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or filing on-line by logging onto www.disasterassistance.gov. Hearing impaired individuals can call a TTY line at 1-800-462-7585.  Deadline to register is January 28, 2013.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs)
DRCs will open for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Specialists from the state of New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. The recovery centers act as a one-stop-shop for eligible survivors where they can meet with both state and federal workers and get help as quickly as possible. Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it.

The DRC is now closed, residents can register online or by phone for Individual Assistance.

 

A helpline to aid residents and business on how to apply for financial help after the storm.
HURRICANE SANDY HELPLINE 1-855-697-7263 or check website: www.dhses.ny.gov

 
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

Not available.

 

Deadline Extensions

Medicare Deadline Extended for Seniors Affected by Hurricane Sandy
Medicare beneficiaries who have been affected by this disaster and wants to ensure that all beneficiaries are able to compare their options and make enrollment choices for 2013. CMS encourages all beneficiaries to make their enrollment choices by December 7. This will ensure that their enrollment in health and prescription drug coverage is in place for January 1, 2013. Please share this message with your network.

Individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy who are unable to make a plan selection by December 7 can still enroll in health and prescription drug coverage for 2013 by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Representatives at 1-800 MEDICARE have information available to help beneficiaries review their plan options and make a choice, and can complete an enrollment even after December 7.

 

STORM CLEAN-UP 

 

Click Here for Clean-up Information

 

Spill Reporting: To report an oil or chemical spill, such as from a home oil furnace damaged by flooding, call the NYS Spill Hotline at 1-800-457-7362. For more information on General Permits, please visit:http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/76659.html

 
Temporary Employment Opportunity
New York State Department of Labor and the Suffolk County Department of Labor were awarded a grant to hire temporary workers to assist in recovery of damages caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Eligibility: if you are a worker who temporarily or permanently lost your employment due to Hurricane Sandy or if you are currently an unemployed or dislocated worker.
Duties may include:
  • Debris Removal / Roadway Clearing
  • Buildings/Grounds Cleanup
  • Other projects as required
Salary: $14.89 per hour
Duration: up to 12 weeks; 35 hours per week
Call 631-853-6600 to apply