Government, businesses working to help those affected by Sandy

AN AERIAL VIEW of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy's winds and storm surge.  To see the rest of the R.I. Department of Transportation photo stream, <a href=click here. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION" title="AN AERIAL VIEW of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy's winds and storm surge. To see the rest of the R.I. Department of Transportation photo stream, click here. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"/>
AN AERIAL VIEW of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy's winds and storm surge. To see the rest of the R.I. Department of Transportation photo stream, click here. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

PROVIDENCE – Both the state and federal government, as well as nonprofit relief agencies, financial institutions and local businesses are working to help those still affected by Hurricane Sandy.
As of 1 p.m. on Friday, 6,053 of the roughly 122,000 Rhode Islanders affected by Sandy were still without power. National Grid said it is working to complete restoration on Friday, with possible isolated customers regaining power on Saturday.
Storm surges and heavy winds have hit Rhode Islanders hard, especially in the southern portion of the state. “Normally paved roads are covered with almost a foot of sand. The landscape of popular beaches does not look the same. Pieces of homes have been torn off and strewn about typically quiet neighborhoods,” said a release from the R.I. Emergency Management Agency.
According to the RIEMA release, 10 teams are visiting affected communities on Friday to continue the preliminary disaster assessment process. The teams, comprised of state and federal officials, will describe and document the damage to roads, buildings, beaches and property. The data will be used in the justification for a request of presidential disaster declaration.
“Rhode Island, especially the southern portion of the State, was hit hard by Sandy,” RIEMA Executive Director Theresa C. Murray said in prepared remarks. “Any loss is devastating. We want Rhode Islanders to know that we are working closely with our federal partners to get as much federal assistance for this state as possible.”
There are two types of federal assistance: public assistance, which is generally used to help local governments and nonprofits, and individual assistance, which is generally used to help homeowners with serious unmet needs. Access to federal funding begins with the state’s request for a Presidential Declaration of Emergency. If approved, the Federal Emergency Management Agency determines the final amount of funds available.
“Our goal is to support as many eligible projects as possible,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer for Rhode Island James N. Russo. “Our focus is to return local governments, nonprofits, and homes to a safe and healthy condition.” Russo added that damages to secondary or vacation homes are not eligible for federal reimbursement.
The Joint Information Center was disbanded on Thursday, RIEMA spokesperson Annemarie Beardsworth announced. All storm-related information should be directed to RIEMA.

As RIEMA partners with United Way of Rhode Island’s 2-1-1 hotline, Rhode Islanders whose brushes with Sandy resulted in property or business damage can report their situations by calling 2-1-1. Filing reports via the hotline helps the state seek disaster assistance for individuals, though filing a report does not guarantee federal or state assistance.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood approved the quick release of $3 million in emergency relief funds for Rhode Island on Wednesday. The emergency funds will help the state begin repairs to infrastructure damaged by Sandy, specifically the seawalls that support the state’s roadways. The $3 million, which represented 100 percent of the funds immediately requested by the state, is separate from the federal public assistance funding available from FEMA.
“Some of our most important infrastructure – including sea walls that protect communities from surging seas – was damaged in this storm. The swift release of this federal funding will help us take quick action to begin these projects and put Rhode Islanders to work on needed repairs,” said Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee in a statement on Wednesday. “This is another indication that the Obama Administration is committed to helping affected states recover from this destructive storm.”
In additional to the state and federal government, local businesses are doing their part to help disaster relief.
On Friday, Pawtucket-based toy and game maker Hasbro Inc. announced $100,000 in total grant support to the American Red Cross, World Vision and Feeding America, as well as 10,000 games donated to World Vision and the American Red Cross.
“Our hearts go out to the many victims of Hurricane Sandy,” Brian Goldner, president and CEO of Hasbro, said in a statement. “We hope our support will assist these organizations who are working tirelessly to deliver critical services to those impacted by this disaster.”
CVS Caremark Corp. also has donated more than $100,000 to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund. The Woonsocket-based company donated $50,000 from the company’s charitable foundation and $50,000 in snacks and bottled water to distribute to communities in New Jersey.
The Red Cross also has asked all those able to please donate blood. Nearly 360 Red Cross blood drives were canceled due to Hurricane Sandy, leaving the organizations 12,000 blood and platelet products short of the usual supply.
Anyone interested in volunteering in affected areas of Rhode Island should visit www.serverhodeisland.org or call 2-1-1 to register. Volunteer opportunities exist for both individuals and businesses, but RIEMA insisted volunteers not show up unannounced at disaster sites. “Volunteer help may be needed in many communities; however, the goal is to match the community needs with volunteer skill sets and availability,” said the RIEMA release.
Donations to Sandy victims can be made to any recognized volunteer agency, though cash donations are the most useful. For additional information on needs, call 2-1-1. Donations can also be made through the National Donation Management Network at www.ndmn.us/RI.

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