nj.gov
State of New Jersey - Department of Human Services
Division of Mental Health Services

Super storm known as Sandy has devastated many New Jersey communities and wreaked havoc in people’s lives all along the East Coast.  More than 50 million Americans are coping with the aftermath of the storm.  The damage and destruction from coastal surges, power outages, and high winds has resulted in disruptions to school and work schedules, property destruction, and serious financial consequences.

No one who lives through a disaster is untouched by the experience.  Like other disasters, severe storms and flooding can result in emotional distress, as well as property damage.  Disasters can threaten our sense of control and safety, and can affect many aspects of our lives.  The emotional trauma caused by the storm and anxiety about what will happen next can complicate and impede recovery.  While protecting people and restoring safety, power, and property, is a priority in the wake of natural disasters, emotional coping also matters.

submitted by John Cocozza

I am sure that everyone has seen so much of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy as it slammed into cities like Atlantic City, Seaside Heights, Manhattan, and others.  Sometimes the images on TV might be larger than life but the media leaves us only a small view of the shear range of the devastation.   There were a couple hundred small towns and small communities along the coast from Ocean City, Maryland through the Jersey Shore and reach past Montauk, NY out on Long Island.  These small towns I can tell you from first hand knowledge are our Main Street, USA's.

See the attached document for the full text.

pbs.org - November 9th, 2012 - Rick Karr

The homes of some New Jersey residents have been without power or heat more than 10 days after superstorm Sandy struck. And even with support from out-of-state utility workers untangling downed lines, erecting polls, and repairing the grid, many may remain in the dark for days to come. Special correspondent Rick Karr reports.

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tools.niehs.nih.gov

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy, one of the largest and fiercest storms to threaten the East Coast, made landfall in New Jersey. The devastating storm caused extensive damage throughout the East Coast as it released torrential rains, ferocious winds, and widespread flooding.

This webpage provides documents and resources that address emergency preparedness in hurricane and flood situations.  Documents found on this page primarily address issues in government preparedness and public preparedness.  Some information has been taken from the Floods and Hurricane Katrina Emergency Preparedness Pages located on the National Clearinghouse Website.

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Image: Wreckage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Submitted by Samuel Bendett

inhabitat.com - November 6th, 2012 - Molly Cotter

Many people have been talking about how to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Sandy, but nonprofit design services group Architecture for Humanity has actually gone and created a 5-point rebuilding plan. Their proposal not only focuses on working with local authorities, companies, and builders, but is also dedicated to reconstructing for long-term results, and that means building green. The organization, which has been helping Japan reconstruct many of its towns after the tsunami and earthquakes of 2011, used their expertise to draw up a strategic scheme for how New York and New Jersey could be rebuilt in a way that would make them more sustainable and disaster-proof than ever before.

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submitted by Stephen Praissman  |  (TO GO TO THE INTERACTIVE MAPS - CLICK ON MAP IMAGE AND SCROLL DOWN)

http://www.rxresponse.org/PharmacyStatus/Pages/ActivePharmacyReporting.aspx

rxresponse.org

There is no benefit to an operational bio-pharmaceutical supply chain if those in need cannot get or do not know where to get their medicine. It is critical that the general public be able to locate nearby open pharmacies in a disaster or emergency event. In addition, emergency management agencies and departments of health need to quickly understand an emergency's impact on public health in a disaster area. Part of that knowledge is understanding the accessibility of medicine within the affected area.

To meet these two critical needs, Rx Response partnered with the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP), as well as the pharmacy switches/clearinghouses responsible for processing pharmacy payments – eRx Network (an Emdeon company) and RelayHealth. These partnerships form the basis of the Emergency Pharmacy Status Reporting tool.

Attached is a .pdf detailing the Nor'easter forecast for November 7th and 8th.

(Please note - you must login to view the attachment - kg)

New toll-free number for gas station owners and managers - 1-866-402-3775
For assistance with generators and fuel to affected gas stations along the East Coast

energy.gov - November 4, 2012

WASHINGTON – As part of the government-wide effort to assist the response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy, the Energy Department has established a team to assist local authorities in their efforts to help get gas stations back online.

With residents experiencing long lines at gas stations in the impacted areas, the federal government is taking immediate steps that will provide relief in the short term at the President’s direction, and working with the Department of Defense, the National Guard and the Governors of New York and New Jersey. As part of that effort, the Energy Department has established a team that is helping state and local officials identify gas stations that are in need of emergency generators to restore power or are running short on fuel supplies.

Mr. C's Beach Bistro

submitted by Jeff Williams - November 4, 2012

Hi all. I'm at jersey shore now in ground zero. Our house has 4 ft of sand and 6 ft of sea water on top of that. Most of neighbors homes are destroyed as waves broke through second floor windows and exited by breaking out through first floor walls and doors. Dead fish throughout. FEMA and other recovery organizations and can't get their equipment through the heavy compacted 4 ft of wet sand to start draining homes and checking has lines. Neighbor's red couch was found 3/4 mile inland.

I am in the evacuation zone without power for miles. Sleeping in cold house night temps are in high 30s. Stunned silence as residents return and wander along beach and neighborhoods. But ocean is strikingly beautiful today with glassy sunrise, off shore breeze and 3 ft barrels coming off the sandbars.

Pics to follow. But it will be long time to just dig out. And destroyed homes stores and schools have no prospect of quick recovery. Will take herculean policy and political decisions to figure out how to assist recovery, and insurance companies are already denying coverage for losses.

Jeff

submitted by Jeff Williams

11/1/12 Beach club's ticket booth sits a block from beach in middle of ocean avenue. Staff Photo Nancy Shields

app.com - by Nancy Shields - November 2, 2012

LOCH ARBOUR — This seaside village’s homes got their share of battering, and the tiny municipal beach club was wiped out by Hurricane Sandy. The ticket stand from the beach was sitting a block inland on Ocean Avenue on Thursday.

Workers from neighboring Allenhurst were removing three to four feet of sand and debris from the now closed-off streets that run perpendicular to the beach Thursday.

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abcnews.go.com - November 1st, 2012