Saturday, October 27, 2012

Storm: Latest Info From American Red Cross

INFORMATION UPDATE: Hurricane Sandy
Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 11 AM EST

Situation Update
Sandy is a very large tropical cyclone. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 450 miles. Though Sandy has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm, additional strengthening is expected and Sandy may return to Hurricane status by Monday. Sandy is located about 350 south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina and is moving north-northeast at 10 mph. States of Emergency have been declared in New York, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the Tropical Storm Warning area in the Carolinas by this evening, and spread northward tonight and Sunday. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are expected over far eastern North Carolina, with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches possible.  Rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches are expected over portions of the central Mid-Atlantic states, including the Delmarva Peninsula, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches possible. Tides are already one foot above normal at Beaufort, Duck and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina as well as Charleston and Springmaid, South Carolina.

The United States Navy ordered all ships in the Norfolk, Virginia, area, including a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, out to sea to ride out the approaching storm. Utility officials are preparing for hundreds of thousands of power outages. 

In New Jersey, the Cape May County Emergency Management Office issued voluntary evacuation orders for Friday and Saturday for barrier islands. Those evacuation orders will become mandatory on Sunday. Long Beach Island issued a similar voluntary order. In Ocean County, NJ, the beachfront town of Mantoloking issued a voluntary evacuation order on Friday. Belmar had already begun limiting access to its oceanfront drive.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Florida East Coast from Sebastian Inlet to Saint Augustine, South Santee River to Duck, North Carolina, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, Great Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Savannah River, Georgia to South Santee River, South Carolina; the Florida East Coast from north of St. Augustine to Fernandina Beach; and, Bermuda.

For the latest information on current tropical systems, please visit the NOAA/NWS National Hurricane Center or the Red Cross Tropical & Hazard Center.

American Red Cross Response

·         The American Red Cross is preparing for what could be a massive disaster response all along the East Coast, and is getting ready by mobilizing many volunteers, relief supplies, shelters, and vehicles. Here is a national press release with more details. Regional Red Cross chapters are coordinating from South Carolina to New England.

·         Preparedness messages continue to be shared with the public. People in the possible path of this storm should get prepared now in case their community is affected. In addition to following the tips below, download the Hurricane App and First Aid App so that you have emergency information at your fingertips.

·         More than 120 Emergency Response Vehicles are on alert.

·         Disaster responders are being contacted and placed on alert nationwide. Chapters continue to prepare and are determining the staff and material resources they will need.

·         Red Cross Leadership Teams are going today to White Plains, NY; Harrisburg, PA; Middlesex, NJ; and Ashburn, VA.

·         Red Cross Government Liaison Officers are prepared to staff FEMA Regional Response Coordination Centers and the National Response Coordination Center.

·         Four Advanced Public Affairs Teams are en route to Ocean City, MD; Southern New Jersey; NJ/New York City area; and Baltimore, MD.

·         Once the storm clears Florida and the Southeast, these chapters are being encouraged to make their ERVs and disaster responders available.

Resources:
For the latest information on disasters, please check the Online Newsroom and stay tuned to redcross.org.

Honor Roll: Annual Disaster Giving Program
Through the generosity of our American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) members, the American Red Cross is prepared before disaster strikes. ADGP members help secure a reliable funding base for disaster relief services that enables the Red Cross to respond immediately, meeting the needs of individuals and families affected by disaster anywhere in the United States, regardless of cost.

Right now the Red Cross is on the ground and taking action with the support of our ADGP partners. Current ADGP members are:

3M
Altria Group
Aon
Bank of America
Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Caterpillar Inc. 
Cisco Foundation
Citi Foundation
Community Safety Foundation funded by AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah Insurance Exchange
ConAgra Foods Foundation
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
Dell Inc.
Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Edison International
FedEx Corporation
GE Foundation
Hewlett-Packard Company Foundation
The Home Depot Foundation
John Deere Foundation
Johnson Controls
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Kraft Foods
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Merck Co. Foundation
Nationwide Insurance Foundation
Northrop Grumman
Optum
PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation
Southwest Airlines
State Farm
Target
Texas Instruments
The TJX Companies, Inc.
UnitedHealthcare
University of Phoenix
UPS
Walmart
The Walt Disney Company
WellPoint Foundation
Wells Fargo

How to Help

Make a Financial Gift to Disaster Relief - Help us help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the recent spring floods and tornadoes, by making a financial gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
Donate Blood or Host A Blood Drive - Encourage employees to participate in community blood drives and/or host a blood drive on-site for both staff and customers. As a blood drive sponsor, you can help meet the blood needs of patients in your community and across the United States.
Implement a Customer Donation Program - Give your customers the opportunity to support Disaster Relief by simply adding a dollar amount to their total purchase.  
Sponsor an Employee Giving and Matching Gift Program - Engage employees by sponsoring a fundraising campaign in support of Disaster Relief and provide an incentive to participate by matching employee donations.
Conduct a Percentage of Sales Program - Showcase your commitment to the Red Cross and the people we serve while generating sales for your company by donating a percentage of your sales to Disaster Relief.
Donate Ad Space - Donate a portion of your advertising inventory and help share our stories about the individuals, families and communities affected by disaster.
Place a Red Cross Banner Ad on Your Website - Place a Red Cross banner ad on your company website to reinforce your support of the Red Cross and encourage donations through our Donate Now webpage.
Text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to Make a Donation – Customers of participating wireless carriers can make a $10 donation to support Disaster Relief by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999. Donations will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid account. Message and Data rates may apply. Full terms and privacy policy can be found at redcross.org/m.

Your help allows the American Red Cross to be there for victims of disaster, whenever or wherever help is needed.

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