The American Red Cross Greater NY Region Responds to Winter Blizzard
Sunday, December 27, 2010 – The Greater New York (GNY) Regional Chapters—Greater New York, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Shelter Island and Greenwich, Connecticut—are assisting residents affected by the fierce winter storm that blanketed the region. The storm covered New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut and the Lower Hudson Valley with between 12 and 24 inches of snow, disrupting rail and air travel and causing a number of power outages.
In advance of the storm, all Chapters within the GNY region immediately urged New Yorkers to stay safe by providing important winter storm safety tips on Chapter websites and issuing media releases. Additionally, in preparation for a seamless response effort, Chapters prepositioned emergency supplies and identified relief workers by functional area—mass care (feeding), shelter operations, health and mental health services, disaster assessment, logistics and public affairs—to assist as needed. Working with government agencies and community partners, a number of shelters were opened throughout the region to provide affected residents with a warm, safe place to stay, a hot meal and a shoulder to lean on.
At the height of the storm, the Greater NY Region provided humanitarian assistance as follows:
Greater New York Chapter: Worked with the Woodbury, NY police department to open and operate a shelter at the Senior Center in Highland Mills, NY to assist approximately 40 weary shoppers from Woodbury Common Shopping Center stranded by the storm. With the help of the NY Red Cross’s Wal-Mart partner group, the Chapter provided water, snacks and blankets to shoppers, who are expected to return to their respective homes as bus service resumes today.
Supported the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s storm relief effort by providing stranded passengers at JFK airport with 400 cots and 800 blankets after the airport closed last night.
Nassau County Red Cross: Provided approximately 40 passengers stranded today at the Hicksville Long Island Railroad station with blankets, water and snacks.
Suffolk County Red Cross: At the request of the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management, opened a shelter last night at the Seneca Middle School in Holbrook, NY where 12 Red Cross volunteers comforted residents who lost power and heat as a result of the storm.
Westchester County Red Cross: Provided the White Plains Police Department with guidance on opening and operating a warming center to provide affected residents with a safe place to ride out the storm.
Greenwich Red Cross: No assistance was requested from government agencies; however, the Chapter remains on standby to respond as needed.
All Chapters continue to work with our government and community partners to monitor the situation should further assistance be needed. The Red Cross continues to urge all New Yorkers to stay safe in the aftermath of the storm by following these important Winter Storm Safety Tips.
