Showing posts with label Hurricane Sandy resources. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

SWEENEY TO CONDUCT ‘SANDY BILL OF RIGHTS’ TOUR

FOR RELEASE:		CONTACT:
February 13, 2014		Chris Donnelly
		(609) 847-3700

SWEENEY TO CONDUCT ‘SANDY BILL OF RIGHTS’ TOUR IN PERTH AMBOY, TOMS RIVER & MOONACHIE

Residents Who Have Failed To Get Sandy Aid Answers Or Assistance Encouraged To Attend

TRENTON – In an effort to bring the thousands of victims of Superstorm Sandy the answers, assistance and results they deserve, Senate President Steve Sweeney will be conducting a "Sandy Bill of Rights" tour, with stops in Perth Amboy, Toms River and Moonachie. Information regarding these stops is below. Residents who believe they have wrongly been denied Sandy aid and/or have failed to get answers from the administration as to why they were denied are encouraged to attend and share their stories with the media and Senate President Sweeney.

Friday, February 21

11:00 a.m.

Toms River Elks Lodge #1875; 600 Washington Street in Toms River

A town hall style meeting where residents will be able to share their stories on the difficulties of getting Sandy aid.

Two weeks ago, Senate President Sweeney introduced legislation that would establish a “Sandy Bill of Rights.” The bill of rights would do several things, including requiring a plain language explanation of what is needed to be eligible and to apply for Sandy recovery programs; the right to know where your relief application stands and what additional information is needed; the right to know why your application was rejected or why you were placed on a waiting list and the right to appeal a denial of funding.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Ocean County Participates in CDBG Program Since 1984

Press release from the Ocean County Freeholders

5/1/2013

TOMS RIVER – Ocean County expects to distribute about $940,000 in federal funds to municipalities and public agencies for housing rehabilitation and municipal and public service projects.

"Ocean County has been participating in the federal Community Development Block Grant Program since 1984," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Planning Department, which administers the program. "Many great projects have resulted from the distribution of these funds."

Ocean County anticipates allocating $352,000 for 11 municipal projects such as handicap accessibility, street, sidewalk and curb improvements. In addition, about $180,000 will be allocated for 12 public service activities such as food distribution, counseling and day care centers, domestic violence and youth runaway centers, homeless assistance, visiting homecare services and senior services, while $226,000 will be appropriated for housing related programs.

"Because of anticipated federal funding cuts and changes in the census, we are anticipating that the 2013 appropriation will be about 10 percent less than 2012," Little said. "We are still waiting on the final numbers."

Little said the county anticipates $826,000 for HOME funding for fiscal year 2013.

"This money helps our residents with their housing needs," Little said. "The funds are used to repair existing homes or help families take the necessary steps into their first home."

For instance, Little said that under the First Time Homebuyers program 440 families have received down payment assistance for purchase of a home under the program for a total real estate value in Ocean County of $58 million.

Approximately 22 individuals/families will receive assistance with FY 2013 funding.

In addition, a total of 656 housing units have been rehabilitated under the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program since 1984. Approximately 22 units will be rehabilitated during FY 2013.

Little said the county also anticipates using about $665,000 for the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program which includes funds from 2013 and 2012.

"Additional funding was recommended to accommodate the increased rental demand as a result of Superstorm Sandy," Little said. "Waivers were requested and approved by HUD."

He said 653 families have been provided rent subsidies under the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program to date.
The average rental subsidy provided in 2012 was $923 per month for a 24 month period.

"We anticipate assisting 65 families this year under this program," he said.

In addition, $200,000 will be provided for Superstorm Sandy Relief and Recovery. The money will be allocated to OCEAN, Inc.'s Community Partners Outreach and Relief Program for eligible residents of Ocean County affected by Superstorm Sandy.

"This money will be used for rental assistance, security deposits, relocation assistance, home repairs not covered by insurance and/or FEMA, plumbing and gas line penetration, replacement of insulation and other weatherization replacements, counseling, and food assistance," Little said. "With so many of our residents directly impacted by this storm, it is important to help our residents get back to their homes."

Municipalities that receive separate CDBG entitlements and the amounts that are anticipated are: Brick Township, $247,351, Toms River Township, $332,090, Lakewood Township, $785,743 and Jackson Township, $174,674. However, Jackson Township's funds will be included in the total County allocation since the County administers their program.

"Over the years, 549 municipal projects were completed under the CDBG program, 165 of which were public service projects," Little said.

Little noted that while some of the CDBG money is being used for Superstorm Sandy relief, this allocation is separate from the $1.8 billion that will be distributed by the state that will help in the recovery of the storm.

Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said the CDBG Steering Committee works diligently every year in reviewing funding requests.

"I want to thank the committees' chairwoman Patricia Moran and all the members who work so hard to make certain this funding continues to come to Ocean County and provides the money for many important projects," Kelly said.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Citizens Impacted by Sandy Encouraged to Register

TRENTON, N.J. — Hurricane Sandy survivors who had storm-related damages in New Jersey have until April 1 to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

April 1 is also the deadline to return applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans, which is the primary source of federal funds for long-term rebuilding.

Survivors can apply for an SBA disaster home or business loans by filling out an online application at DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela.

Survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance are urged to stay in touch with FEMA and SBA. Applicants should notify FEMA and SBA of changes to their mailing addresses, phone numbers or email addresses.

Survivors can register online and check on the status of their applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. They also can call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. Recovery assistants remain available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

There are nine disaster recovery centers open in Atlantic, Cape May, Hudson, Monmouth and Ocean counties. FEMA staff is available at the centers to provide clarification to letters, assist survivors with finding a temporary home if their primary residence was damaged or destroyed, check on the status of applications for assistance or refer survivors to other agencies that may provide additional help. Survivors can locate their nearest center by going to FEMA.gov/DRC.

Survivors can ask questions about their SBA disaster home or business loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Additional resources are available online at FEMA.gov/SandyNJ and SBA.gov/Sandy.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Asbury Park Press: Sandy aid relief shorting renters

Mar 14, 2013

The devil is still in the details. While Governor Chris Christie announced Tuesday that the cavalry had arrived - with more than $800 million in federal funds to help homeowners and $500 million for businesses are included in New Jersey’s plan for its federal superstorm Sandy money, details about applying for that aid will not be revealed for another few weeks. And the few details that have been released raise troubling questions about whether the most vulnerable and the hardest hit, chiefly low-and moderate income renters, will receive a fair share of it.

The announcement triggers a seven-day public comment period. If the plan is approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 20,000 homeowners, 5,000 renters and 10,000 businesses could get grants to help close the gap in the cost of repairing or rebuilding .Once that ends, the plan will be submitted to the Obama administration for approval, after which the specifics will be put in place.

That is a big if.

HUD could amend the plan and it should. As Kevin Walsh, associate director of the New Jersey-based Fair Share Housing Center said, 80 percent of the lowest income people impacted by Sandy are renters. Yet only 20 percent of the people covered by the State's proposed plan are renters, Associate Director Kevin D. Walsh said.

"Fewer than one out of every twenty renters who registered with FEMA would be helped through the state's plan," Walsh added.

On the surface, the announcement must seem like balm to those who sustained some of $3.83 billion in damage to homes and properties caused by Sandy. The programs for homeowners include: $600 million to provide eligible homeowners up to $150,000 to rebuild, repair and elevate damaged primary residences and $25 million to provide up to $50,000 to low- and moderate-income households to purchase a home.

Yet contrast that with the state’s proposal to spend $225 million to expand the stock of rental housing, including zero- and low-interest loans of up to $120,000 per unit for developers and public housing authorities to develop new rentals and zero-interest loans of up to $50,000 per unit to help repair small rental properties damaged by the storm. Another $40 million would be paid to rental property owners as incentives for agreeing to lease to low- and moderate-income households.

But the rental market in New Jersey has always been tough, even before Sandy. The crunch is even greater now as displaced homeowners scramble to put a roof over their heads. Other details the state’s residents are still waiting for include how people apply for these programs, the income eligibility requirements, and when and how the final two rounds of the federal monies for relief and rebuilding will arrive from Washington.

Gov. Christie said this week that these programs “ have been carefully, but quickly designed to fill the unmet needs faced by our residents.” Not carefully enough, though. HUD should insist on a more equitable distribution of funds to assist the renters in our state.

Monday, February 18, 2013

New Salvation Army Center opens

SALVATION ARMY CENTER

Located at A&P Shopping Center

Ortley Beach

Hours:

Monday through Friday 10 - 4

Saturday 10-2

Sunday closed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Items may include:

New Clothing

Cleaning Supplies

Food

Toys

Bedding

Electric Heaters

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadline Feb. 4

TRENTON, N.J. – The deadline is approaching for Hurricane Sandy survivors to apply for disaster unemployment assistance.

Registration closes Monday, Feb. 4. Workers can register for DUA by calling one of the following New Jersey

Re-employment Call Centers:
Union City: 201-601-4100
Freehold: 732-761-2020
Cumberland: 856-507-2340

Survivors can also register for DUA at njuifile.net.

Monday, January 21, 2013

SBA disaster loan app deadline nears

Deadlines for SBA disaster loan applications for those affected by #Sandy extended:. Jan 30 for #NJ http://ow.ly/ghNhh

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Long term recovery committee formed in Ocean County

TOMS RIVER - Hundreds of local volunteers, community service groups, and government and nonprofit agencies have formed the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Committee to coordinate the collection and disbursement of relief supplies, donations and services.

The committee, using models developed from lessons learned by FEMA during past events, will coordinate the reception and distribution of household supplies and building materials, and provide assistance with case management to navigate government regulations and provide emotional and spiritual support.

Information to contact the committee will be posted shortly.

The committee elected Ted Gooding, O.C.E.A.N. Inc., as chair; Eileen Coyne, Caregivers of New Jersey, as vice-chair; and Laura Pople, Seer Farms, as secretary. Linda Gyimoty, United Way of Ocean County, was appointed the committee’s fiscal agent.

Subcommittees were formed Dec. 17. They will concentrate on case management; construction management; volunteer management; Information Technology; fundraising and budgeting; resource directory; policy and advocacy; grievance procedures; public relations; donations management; and emotional, mental and spiritual support.

The elected officers and the subcommittee chairs will serve on the committee’s executive board.

The committee’s next meeting will be held Wed. Jan. 3, 2013 at 10 a.m. in the Elks Club, 600 Washington St.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

FEMA: help for Nonprofits

Private Sector Division Joint Field Office Lincroft, New Jersey
December 11, 2012
DR-4086-NJ PSA-001
FEMA PS Desk: 732-345-3683
NJOEM PIO Contact: 609-963-6818
Private Sector Advisory NONPROFITS – YOU HELP OTHERS – NOW LET FEMA HELP YOU WITH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DISASTER GRANTS

Deadlines extended to request reimbursement for infrastructure repair and other disaster costs
TRENTON, N.J. – Nonprofits that suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy are encouraged to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance (PA) funding to help them get back
to the business of helping others.

The deadline to apply for FEMA Public Assistance has been extended to Dec. 30, 2012 in all
21 counties.

Michael Hall, FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer, granted the extension following a request from
the New Jersey State Office of Emergency Management. In the extension request, the state cited the unprecedented impact of Hurricane Sandy and the large number of organizations submitting Requests for Public Assistance, many of which have never before been involved in the PA process.

In order to qualify for PA funding, the agency must be a private nonprofit organization or institution that owns or operates a facility that serves the general public and provides essential governmental services. The basic categories of essential governmental services are: education, utility, emergency, medical, custodial care, irrigation and other services including museums, shelters and libraries. See PA Eligible Applicants for a listing of eligible private nonprofits.

Public Assistance is a program administered by the state of New Jersey and funded by FEMA.

FEMA reimburses no less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency protective measures
and permanent restoration costs, including debris removal and infrastructure repair or replacement. FEMA specialists are available to help nonprofits through the application process.

The most important thing is to turn in an application. Applications are available on the front page of the NJ Office of Emergency Management website: http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/.

The Request for Public Assistance Form should be sent to:
Lt. Col. Jerome Hatfield
Alternate governor’s authorized representative
New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, N.J. 08628-0068
Attention: Lt. Jeffrey Mottley
Telephone: 609-882-2000, ext. 2700 or 2500
Fax number: 609-882-1694

As of December 11, FEMA has conducted 653 applicant kick-off meetings, logged 1,154 Requests for Public Assistance and approved
54 large projects totaling $103,295,781.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema,
and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Seaside Park Police Department collecting donations

Detective Chris Bonner of the Seaside Park Police Department (SPPD) tells us that his department has been working tirelessly to protect and assist the community since before Sandy hit. Even though officers are displaced from their homes, they have been working around the clock in service to the community, despite lacking supplies, Detective Bonner says. Detective Bonner has provided the following information:

Officers will be collecting these donations at the checkpoint located on Route 35 south (at the entrance into Seaside Park): Any questions please contact Detective Chris Bonner 848-992-2055

New cold weather gear
New jackets
Thermals
New gloves
Hats
Rain gear
Waterproof items
Duty boots
New socks
BDU Pants
Utility pants
flashlights
headlamps
sunglasses
batteries
Deodorant
Shampoo
New Towels
Gatorade
Bottled Water/Soda
Non perishable food products
Paper products
Gift cards and monetary donations are also accepted and kindly appreciated

We have established a Facebook page, Seaside Park PBA (https://www.facebook.com/pba.sppd?fref=ts), to use as a means of accepting donations. The following is the link to our paypal donation site, we are trying to figure out a way to embed or post it onto our site.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency

Friends and Colleagues,

I hope this email finds you all safe and secure.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, thousands of New Jersey residents have been displaced from their homes and are in need of housing. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, an affiliated agency of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has partnered with the non-profit organization Socialserve.com to provide web-based (www.njhrc.gov) and bi-lingual call center-based (1-877-428-8844) housing location services for Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.

Long-term and short-term housing assistance is now available through the New Jersey Housing Resource Center (NJHRC) located at www.njhrc.gov.

The NJHRC is a free service to assist people in search of housing and to landlords who are looking to provide housing. People without Internet access can call the bilingual toll-free number 1-877-428-8844 for help using this service.

Please pass this information along to your residents, family or friends that have been displaced from their home and are in search of temporary or permanent housing.

Click here to download a flyer for you to distribute or post as you see fit with all the pertinent information on how to access the NJHRC website or call center.

Wishing you all the best,

Anthony L. Marchetta

Executive Director

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency

Monday, November 19, 2012

Link to NJ Division of Consumer Affairs for recovery

This is the link to the NJ Department of Law & Public Safety’s Division of Consumer Affairs and has information on:

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/

1. Obtaining prescription meds during the recovery.

2. How to avoid disaster-related scams. Also has a link to it en Espanol.

3. Tips for flood victims. Also has a link to it en Espanol.

4. How to avoid charity scams. Also has a link to it en Espanol.

5. How to hire home contractors.

Looking for housing?

Looking for housing? We received this link from to the Ocean County Board of Realtors. It has a link to emergency housing search. No guarantees but it might be of help.

www.Jerseyshoremls.com

“OceanFirst Foundation Pledges $500,000 for Relief and Recovery Efforts at the Jersey Shore”

Nonprofit organizations may apply now!

OceanFirst Foundation has established a $500,000 Relief and Recovery Grant Program to assis the efforts of nonprofit organizations, in OceanFirst’s New Jersey shore market area, that are helping local families and individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

Nonprofit (501c3) organizations that are providing assistance to those impacted may be eligible for grants of up to $25,000 through the Relief and Recovery Grant Program. Organizations that are interested in applying should follow the steps below:

1. First contact Kathy Durante at OceanFirst Foundation (732) 341-4676 for further details, to discuss your proposal and to obtain the password allowing access to the online application form.

2. Complete the online Sandy Relief Grant application (https://www.grantrequest.com/SID_372/?SA=SNA&FID=35017 ). A direct link to the application can also be found on the Foundation’s web page www.oceanfirstfdn.org .

After Hurricane Sandy, South Jersey needs a little lift

Community Gathering at the Tuckerton Seaport, 120 W. Main St., noon to 4 p.m. this Saturday.

The Tuckerton Seaport Family invites all local families (regardless of need) to come together on Thanksgiving weekend to enjoy a meal and give thanks. The event will take place in a huge heated tent in the Seaport parking lot. There will be food, entertainment and plenty of family activities, including games and make-and-take holiday crafts.

Everything at this event is offered at no cost.

It is cosponsored by the Tuckerton Seaport, the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, ScoJo’s, Magic 100.1, Real Mom Radio, Jersey Family Fun and Ocean Tents.

For more information or to volunteer, telephone (609) 296-1623 or email brookes@tuckertonseaport.org

Thanksgiving Dinner 2012

Thanks to Rumu Dasgupta for providing this information.

Ocean County Hunger Relief has announced that the following locations will be providing Thanksgiving meal.

Church of Epiphany, 615 Thiele Rd., Brick. Thursday Nov. 22 @ noon. (732) 458-0220. (Deliveries made upon request.)
Salvation Army/Hearty Helpings, 1738 Rt. 37 West, Toms River. Wednesday, Nov 21 @ 5 pm sharp.
Macedonia Baptist Church, 143 John St., Lakewood. Thur. Nov 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (732) 363-9804. (Deliveries available upon request.) Volunteers needed.
Lacey United Methodist Church, 203 Lacey Rd., Forked River. Thur. Nov 22 @ 1 p.m. (609) 693-5222. Call the day before.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1500 Hooper Av., Toms River. Thur. Nov. 22 noon-4 p.m. (732) 255-4455.
Lakehurst Community Center, 203 Center St., Lakehurst. Thur. Nov 22, noon-2 p.m.
Island Heights United Methodist Church, 111 Ocean Av, Island Heights. Thur. Nov. 22: 3 seatings: noon, 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. RSVP and leave message with how many people & seating time. (Sorry, I do not have a phone number for this one.)

Pet Help following Hurricane Sandy

The Humane Society of the United States is encouraging Ocean County residents who are missing their pets to contact them with their name, address (where the animal would have been found), description of their pet, and phone number to reach them. Society workers and volunteers will look through their shelter for any animals found in or near their address that match the description. If their pet is not at the temporary shelter in Barnegat Township, the Humane Society can provide contact information to the other facilities where it might be found.

The telephone number of The Humane Society of the United States temporary emergency shelter in Barnegat is 609-384-0306.

Hurricane kit for children

Sesame Street offers videos to help children understand and deal with the effects of the hurricane. Here is a link to the videos: http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits/hurricane

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

After Hurricane Sandy, NJ's Homeless Population at Greater Risk

Shelters and soup kitchens across the state sustain significant damage from Superstorm

The devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy as it roared through New Jersey last week was impossible to miss: multimillion-dollar homes collapsed like a house of cards, boats berthed on NJ Transit train tracks, much of the Jersey shore reduced to rubble . . .
But the so-called Superstorm also did its share of silent -- though no less traumatic -- damage.
Public agencies and private groups that help some of the state's most vulnerable populations are seeing an increase in patrons in the wake of the storm. They're also dealing with power outages and storm related damage of their own.
The result: More stress on an emergency relief network that was already stretched to its limits.

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/11/04/after-hurricane-sandy-nj-s-homeless-population-at-greater-risk/

Coping with Hurricane Sandy

Dealing with the Aftermath:

· Have a need and don't know where to turn?

Call 211 or go to: http://www.nj211.org/hurricane.cfm

Asbury Park Press (www.app.com) has extensive Hurricane Resource Center on their website.

· NJ Office of Emergency Management

http://ready.nj.gov/programs/sandy_recovery.html

Phone: 732-341-3451

Latest updates: http://readynj.posterous.com/

· FEMA:

http://www.fema.gov/sandy and NJ specific http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086

Residents and business owners who suffered damage in Ocean County during the storm can begin applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. To register go to www.disasterassistance.gov, m.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). The phone numbers will operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Saturday until further notice. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

· Disaster Unemployment Assistance:

http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/552012/approved/20121101b.html

If you are unemployed because of the disaster that began on Oct. 28, you should FIRST file for unemployment insurance benefits through the Internet by going to www.njuifile.net.

The Internet processes claims faster. However, if needed, people may also file a claim by telephone by contacting the state Department of Labor’s Re-employment Call Centers at:

North Jersey - (201) 601-4100

Central Jersey - (732) 761-2020

South Jersey - (856) 507-2340

A 30-day deadline ending December 3, 2012 is in effect for filing claims resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

· Need guidance on filing insurance claims?

http://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/552012/approved/20121031l.html

· Important Utility Contact Info (electric, gas, water, phone, etc)

http://www.state.nj.us/bpu/assistance/utility/

· Dealing With Power Outages:

Red Cross Power Outage Checklist: http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340180_PowerOutage.pdf

Keeping your house safe during long-term power outages in cold weather:

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/em/em_004.cfm

JCPL Power Outage Map: http://outages.firstenergycorp.com/nj.html

· Shelter, Food & Supplies:

NJ Shelter Info: http://www.nj211.org/hurricane.cfm#volunteer

Odd-even gas sales in 12 New Jersey Counties: http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/552012/approved/20121102n.html

List of ShopRite stores closed due to the hurricane:

http://www.shoprite.com/severe-weather-alert/

Updates from Wawa, including a list of Wawas that are closed:

http://www.wawa.com/WawaWeb/Alerts.aspx

Need emergency food? Contact the FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties at 732-918-2600 or see their list of places for assistance at: http://www.foodbankmoc.org/?page_id=35

· Disaster Crisis Counseling:

Toll free Disaster Mental Health Helpline: (877) 294-HELP (4357). A TTY line is available for the deaf and hearing impaired at (877) 294-4356.

Suggestions for coping: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/disaster/

· Need to know when schools are opening around Ocean and Monmouth?

http://blogs.app.com/learning/2012/10/31/superstorm-sandy-school-closings-this-week/

· Searching for family and friends? Want to register yourself as safe and well?

https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/

· If your pet is missing:

Gov. Chris Christie unveiled a hotline for residents to call to report their missing pets. The hotline is 1-855-407-4787. The hotline is open 24 hours a day.

http://www.fema.gov/helping-pets

· Traffic & Transportation:

Getting ready for a flight from a New York airport and want some tips?

http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/three-travel-tips-to-navigate-the-storm/

Heading to NYC and looking for basic info about what's running and open?

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/10/30/nyregion/storm-service-updates.html

NJ Transit Updates

http://www.njtransit.com/sa/sa_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=CustomerNoticeTo&NoticeId=2299

NJ traffic alerts from NJDOT

Call 511 or go to http://www.511nj.org/

· How can I vote in Ocean County?

http://brick.patch.com/articles/displaced-ocean-county-voters-can-vote-by-mail-in-ballot

For updates about how voting and vote-by-mail ballots, call:

Ocean County Clerk Election Services: 732-929-2018, 609-597-1500, or 1-800-722-0291

http://www.clerk.co.ocean.nj.us/CountyClerk/ElectionServices.aspx

Ocean County Board of Elections - 732-929-2167 or 1-800-452-5254

http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/electionboard/

· Social Media Outlets:

Jersey Shore Hurricane News: http://www.facebook.com/JerseyShoreHurricaneNews?ref=stream

A bottom-up, two-way news outlet, JSHN is news for the people, by the people. JSHN covers breaking news, traffic, and weather. "News you can use." JSHN is also a community resource (events, missing people, lost animals, etc).

Have an urgent tip? Email jerseyshorehurricanenews@gmail.com or text (908-565-4270)

Twitter tags to follow:

#njopen: for what’s open

#njgas: for gas stations

#njpower: for power reports

Go to www.patch.com to find links to local Patch sites for news and information.

· Talking to kids about the storm and helping families cope:

A collection of resources gathered by the CDC: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/

Elmo talked about the hurricane on the radio in New York:

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/2012/oct/30/elmo-explains-hurricane-sandy/

Ways to Help:

· Looking to volunteer?

Contact the New Jersey volunteer emergency response hotline at 1-800-JERSEY-7 or backup hotline numbers (which are being answered): 609-775-5236 or 908-303-0471.

· American Red Cross:

People can donate money to the American Red Cross by texting REDCROSS TO 90999 for a $10 donation, calling 1-800-REDCROSS or clicking the “make a donation” option on www.redcross.org

· United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund
With leadership from United Way of New York City, United Ways along the Eastern Seaboard have established the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund to address near-term and long-term recovery needs of communities most affected by the hurricane. Contributions to the Fund will be used by United Ways in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, DC and West Virginia to address recovery needs in communities that FEMA has declared disaster areas. Visit UWSandyRecovery.org to donate to the Fund. You can also use your cell phone to text RECOVERY to 52000 to make a $10 donation.

· Animal Shelters:

ALL THREE of the AHS shelters are collecting donations for those shelters, as well as for shelters throughout NJ, our shelters, and NJ residents that need supplies for their pets. Food, blankets, towels, and other pet supplies can be dropped off at:

AHS/Popcorn Park; 1 Humane Way; Forked River, NJ 08731

AHS/Tinton Falls; 2960 Shafto Road; Tinton Falls, NJ 07753

AHS/Newark; 124 Evergreen Ave.; Newark, NJ 07114

Again, residents affected by the storm that need assistance caring for their pets are also welcome to come to our shelters for supplies.

Tips for Preparing for Future Emergencies:

· Disaster Preparation:

http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/pfd.pdf

Help your children understand how to prepare for emergencies:

http://www.ready.gov/kids

http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits/ready

· Need reviews of emergency supplies, to try to order now or get for next time?