Seal of the Episcopal Diocese of New York
November 12, 2012
From the Rev. Stephen Harding
Diocesan Disaster Response Coordinator
917 301 0267 (cell)

Update on Sandy
November 12

Update #14

Monday, November 12, 2012

9:00am

 

Good morning -

 

As we move into the third week of recovery from Hurricane Sandy, I thought it worthwhile to provide some perspective on the life cycle of disasters. Every disaster has the same stages of recovery that it goes through, the variable is the length of each stage, determined by the scale and scope of the disaster. The model moves clockwise from the point of impact.

 

 

 

As you can see, even though we've done a great deal, we are in the very early stages of recovery. In the Diocese, I think that the Mid-Hudson area is in the long-term recovery stage, Region II and parts of Manhattan are in the short-term recovery stage, and that Staten Island is moving from aftermath to short-term recovery.

 

Our neighbors in Long Island are not as fortunate, as parts of Brooklyn and Queens are still in the aftermath (the Rockaways, in particular), and that as a region, we have much to do.

 

But, as St Paul says, 'we do not lose heart.' We have a plan for our Diocese, and the means to accomplish it, and I am confident that with your help, we will achieve our goal, which is to support the Episcopal parishes in Staten Island and the wider Staten Island community, and to support our neighbors in Long Island, Newark, and New Jersey over the long term.

 

The big thing you can do today is to bring any donated items to your local food pantry and to begin to work on developing a parish volunteer response team to help in Staten Island or Long Island.

 

Thank you for all that you are doing.

 

God bless you.

 

Stephen+

 

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Earlier Updates    
Contact Information  

 

Mid Hudson Region:
Val Stelcen, 917 617-2079 (cell) 845 338-1086 (office)
[email protected] (Please note that as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, diocesan email was not functioning)   

Staten Island:

The Rev. Chuck Howell 718 873-6028 (cell) [email protected] 

Region II: 

The Rev. Alon White.914 525-5924 (cell); 845 358-1297 (office); [email protected]

NYC:
The Rev'd Stephen Harding, Diocesan Disaster Response Coordinator, 917 301 0267 (cell) [email protected]

Online Needs Request Form   
Communication your Sandy-related needs via a simple online form at
Online Volunteer Sign Up Form   
We have posted a new form online that lets you volunteer your assistance. Join the 40 people who have responded since yesterday!
Filing with FEMA 
Go to the following location for application information and assistance: 

http://www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/event/sandy/disaster-assistance.cfm   


Propsup
Damage to Church Property  

 

Property Support Director, Michael Rebic writes:
Parishes that have suffered storm damage should contact their insurance companies. In addition, they should contact FEMA (see above).

Church Insurance: Instructions for when and how to file a claim with Church Insurance are posted here.

The Property Support Committee has raised its emergency loan limit to $10,000 for parishes requiring immediate aid for storm related damage to their buildings. Parishes should contact the Property Support Office ([email protected]) before undertaking any work, unless time is of the essence for its success.
.
Parishes that would like to apply for a loan should contact the Property Support Office by email as it is not clear how well our phone system is working nor when I will be able to get to the city due to the cuts in transportation.

Below is a list of items  that parishes should undertake:
  1. Contact the parish's insurance company immediately and report any damage;
  2. Insure that all debris, etc. is secured to prevent damage to property and injury to people due to wind gusts;
  3. Professionally installed tarps should be employed if roofs are damaged to prevent further damage to buildings.
  4. Ensure that all gutters, leaders, drains, etc. are cleared of debris.
  5. Report damage to Property Support Office by email.
Contact:

The Rev'd Stephen Harding, Disaster Response Coordinator

[email protected] 

917 301 0267