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UNITED SIKHS urges faith based organizations including Sikh Gurdwaras to prepare communities for historic Storm Irene
Highlights:
- Click here to print a Hurricane Relief Flyer for your families
- UNITED SIKHS urges all Gurdwaras in the
East Coast to brace for evacuees and will be working with Red Cross to
serve food at evacuation shelters.
- The New York Disaster Interfaith Center
reports that the City will suspend all Mass transit starting 12 Noon,
Saturday, August 27th – please consider suspending all your faith
communities’ activities until Monday (including worship).
- NYC orders evacuations; Mass transit to
shut down. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered mandatory
evacuations for residents in low-lying coastal areas ahead of Hurricane
Irene. Emergency shelters will be open at 4pm
New York, NY:
President Obama on Friday morning urged Americans in the path of
hurricane Irene to take the storm seriously, and Department of Homeland
Secretary Janet Napolitano warned that the “window is quickly closing”
to make preparations.
The governors of Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware,
New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York have declared states of emergency
as hurricane Irene nears land. President Obama has declared North
Carolina a federal disaster area ahead of the storm's arrival. At the
time of issuing this note, President Obama has cut short his vacation
to return to the White House and declared state of emergency in New
York.
Federal storm-surge maps show the potential for four- to 10-foot surges
across a massive swath of the eastern United States, with potentially
disastrous impacts in eastern North Carolina, the Tidewater area of
Virginia, as well as the Potomac River that runs through Washington,
D.C.
We reproduce below hurricane preparedeness guidelines from NBC/Red Cross:
- prepare a disaster plan (determine how to
locate and communicate with family members, and make sure the home is
properly insured);
- know where to go (finding friends or family to stay with outside the evacuation zone, or report to a hurricane shelter);
- keep a small "go bag" ready (which
should include copies of important documents in a waterproof container;
extra sets of keys; copies of credit and ATM cards; $50 to $100 in
cash; up-to-date medication information and other essential personal
items; first-aid kit; contact and meeting information for family
members; child care supplies - do not forget “reading glasses” if you
need them).
- You can make sure you've got everything with this handy checklist. http://media.nbcbayarea.com/documents/hurricane-preparedness-safety.pdf
- Homeowners should secure their properties.
Storm shutters are the best type of protection, but if you don't have
those, board up windows with marine plywood. Additional clips or straps
are recommended to secure roofs.
- Bring in loose, lightweight objects such
as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools and toys.
Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or
propane tanks. Close up and secure patio umbrellas, and secure
retractable awnings.
- Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.
- Trees and shrubs around your home should also be well-trimmed. Also remember to clear your gutters.
For all your hurricane preparedness questions, go here. You can also make sure you're
taking all the right steps with this preparedness checklist.
Gurvinder Singh, Sikh Aid Director, said, “We urge all Gurdwaras and
Sikh organizations on the East Coast to come together in assistance of
the affected communities preparing for Hurricane Irene. We will issue
regular updates, till we tide over the situation. In case of any
emergency please call 911. As a next line of support you may call us at
1-888-243-1690”.
To get more updates on Hurricane Irene please click: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ or http://www.nbcnewyork.com/weather/ or RSS feed link https://www.unitedsikhs.org/rss/DRUpdates.php
To print flyer click here.
In case of emergency call 911. You can also reach UNITED SIKHS for more information at 1-888-243-1690
Issued By:
Gurvinder Sigh
Sikh Aid Director
UNITED SIKHS
https://unitedsikhs.org
1-888-243-1690 | 1-469-222-6288
1-810-885-4264
E: contact@unitedsikhs.org
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Family Disaster Plan
- Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
- Locate
a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard.
In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but
within your community.
- Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet.
- Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.
- Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
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Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by
homeowners insurance. National Flood Insurance Program
- Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.
- Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.
(Courtesy: National Hurricane Center)
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To transform underprivileged and minority
communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of
society through civic, educational and personal development programs,
by fostering active participation in social and economic activity.
UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking
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