By The Numbers: How The Red Cross Is Bringing Relief To Sandy Victims

The Red Cross is bringing in shipments of cold weather gear (blankets, hand warmers, foot warmers, warm hats, gloves / mittens, ponchos and socks) for relief operations in New York (50,000 of each item) and New Jersey (20,000 of each item) in anticipation for severe weather moving into the region. Weather experts predict this new storm will bring heavy rain, strong winds and snow Wednesday and Thursday to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, along with cold temperatures and the possibility of new power outages. Many areas already affected by Superstorm Sandy could be impacted by this new storm.

The Red Cross is ready to support potential increased shelter capacity and service delivery, as many people who have been able to stay relatively warm in their homes will now need a safe, warm place to sleep as temperatures drop. The Red Cross has also brought in an additional 80,000 blankets and reminds those without power that they should be prepared for cold temperatures in the days ahead.  

The Red Cross has mobilized the full resources of the organization to help people affected by Sandy. More than 5,800 Red Cross workers from all over the country, about 90% of those being volunteers, are supporting shelters, providing food and water at fixed sites, and driving through neighborhoods to distribute meals and supplies. To date over 3.2 million meals and snacks have been served.

53 volunteers and 2 Response Vehicles from the Western Carolinas region have been deployed since Oct. 26 with more deployments expected over the next two weeks. Currently volunteers from the Western Carolinas region are serving in some of the hardest-hit communities in the Greater NY area and in New Jersey, working in shelters and also driving through affected areas distributing much-needed food and supplies. In addition, 4 volunteers deployed yesterday (three nurses and one EMT) will be focusing their work in Disaster Health Services.