FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PR- 408-12 November 8, 2012 UPDATE ON CITY RECOVERY AND ASSISTANCE OPERATIONS The following is an update of City Government’s Storm Response as of 5:00 PM on Thursday, November 8, 2012 Odd-Even Gasoline Purchasing System Mayor Bloomberg signed an emergency executive order today establishing an odd-even license plate system for gasoline purchases to reduce wait times and lines at gas stations. The temporary system will remain in effect from 6:00 AM on Friday until further notice and will operate as follows:
Response to Nor’easter Outdoor construction work has resumed. New York City parks, playgrounds and beaches remain closed and expect to open tomorrow after they have been inspected for safety. Food, Water & Supply Distribution at City-Run Resource Sites These City-run food and water distribution sites are open in the hardest hit areas and staffed by City employees, volunteers, the Salvation Army and National Guard. Locations and hours: http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/ From Thursday, November 1 through Thursday, November 7, the following have been distributed:
NYCHA Facilities The City has assessed all NYCHA housing in Zone A and found no major long-term structural issues. All NYCHA buildings flooded in the storm have been pumped dry.
Sanitation 24-Hour Debris Cleanup Continues Mayor Bloomberg directed the Department of Sanitation to adjust collections schedule so that 24-hour cleanup could continue in the hard-hit areas of Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn. Areas normally receiving three times a week collection may only receive two collections per week, while areas that receive two times per week collection may only receive one collection while the emergency debris removal work continues.
The heavily-impacted areas will continue to receive collection and debris removal around the clock. Curbside recycling is suspended until further notice. Trees and Debris
More City Schools Open All City schools are open to students, and those students and staff who have been reassigned from buildings that sustained structural damage went to other school sites. Parents should continue to check the status of their schools by:
The Department of Education has coordinated transportation options for families with children who have been reassigned to other school sites:
The City has conducted extensive outreach to families, making 1.2 million robo-calls to parents; direct messages were sent from principals and parent coordinators to parents; full page advisories ran in three of New York City’s newspapers; text messages were sent to parents and families enrolled in the Department of Education’s texting program; and information was provided to television and radio outlets. Air BNB Temporary Housing Air BNB, an on-line service that connects people seeking temporary housing with those who have unused space, has launched a new platform to link New Yorkers displaced by Hurricane Sandy to New Yorkers who want to offer free places to stay. Air BNB is providing with service at no fee, and information is available at airbnb.com/sandy. Partnership with Local Food Trucks The Mayors Fund to Advance New York City has partnered with the NYC Food Truck Association, NYC Food Film Festival and local food trucks to coordinate hot food distribution at 21 sites in areas severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. The locations and hours are available here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/ Shelter for Those without Heat Cold weather in the city continues, increasing risk of hypothermia. Anyone who needs heat should find warm shelter, whether at City facilities or with a friend or relative. Evacuation shelters remain open and as of Thursday morning, they were 2,743 evacuees and 812 staff.
Disaster Assistance Service Centers The City’s Human Resources Administration in cooperation with FEMA, operates six sites to provide information about applying for emergency social and economic benefits and to connect residents with recovery resources. They will be open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, seven days a week. The list of sites can be found here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/ Mobile Medical Vans with Prescription Services The City has deployed vans staffed with primary care providers will be able to provide medical care and distribute commonly prescribed drugs at several of the City’s Disaster Assistance Service Centers, as well as two additional high-need areas. Volunteers are also going door-to-door to reach people who may have medical needs but remain in their homes without heat and power. The location and hours are available here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/ Community Recovery Directors Assist with Immediate Needs in Impacted Areas Mayor Bloomberg appointed senior level New York City managers this week to identify urgent needs, stay in close contact with the community leader and deploy resources to meet needs. The City’s Community Recover Directors are:
Brad Gair Appointed Director of Housing Recovery Operations The Mayor appointed Brad Gair, one of the nation’s top emergency management professionals, to lead the effort to address challenge of providing longer-term housing for New Yorkers displaced from their homes by Hurricane Sandy. Many buildings that were flooded are going to be out of commission for a long time because of damage to boilers and electrical systems. This includes public housing, as well as private apartments and houses. Alternate Side Parking
Volunteering, Donating and Giving Blood
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