Millions More Movement Hurricane Relief Efforts & Related Information

 
  
 

Hurricane Relief Efforts & Related Information

Note: This page will be updated regularly as information becomes available.

All organizations, men, women and youth of Millions More Movement and the general public are asked to commit as much as possible in the relief efforts in the aftermath of the recent hurricane.

This help can be in the form of sending donations to organizations involved in relief efforts in including money, food, water and volunteering.  We also ask that our churches, mosques and even our homes be made available to shelter those who have been made homeless.

We are providing several sources of information related to aid efforts.  Use the links below to find out about specific areas of information:

 		 
     
  Missing Persons information  
     
 

Click Here: MissingKatrina.com

This site is here to help you find missing persons from hurricane Katrina.

If you have the picture of the missing person you can post it to this site in one of two ways:

Hundred of thousands of people in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi have had to evacuate homes, hospitals and hotels as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

Some people trying to locate missing loved ones--or to let family and friends know where they are---are posted messages on the Web sites of civic organizations and local news media. The Web sites also provide limited clearinghouses for offers of shelter or other assistance.

Overall, these sites are a good source of updated information updates from local geographic areas.

The National Next of Kin Registry can be accessed at: http://www.nokr.org/nok/restricted/home.htm

For additional postings and information on missing persons, visit:

If you wish to locate adults/children transferred in LOUISIANA from NOAH and SEL, contact 1-225-634-0217.

For information or to confirm or send a message to a dislocated NAMI friend, post message: http://www.nami.org/hurricanekatrinamessageboard

 		 
     
     
  Hurricane Insurance Information  
 
 
Hurricane insurance information center
 
First Steps to Settling your Claim
Right-click here to download pictures. To help protect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
Phone your Agent or Company Immediately
Insurance policies place a time limit on filing claims. Find out what the time limit is. Ask questions: Am I covered? Does my claim exceed my deductible? (Your deductible is the amount of loss you agree to pay yourself when you buy a policy.) How long will it take to process my claim? Will I need to obtain estimates for repairs for structural damage?

Make Temporary Repairs
Take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage. Save receipts for what you spend and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement. Payments for temporary repairs are part of the total settlement. So if you pay a contractor a large sum for a temporary repair job, you may not have enough money for permanent repairs. Beware of contractors who ask for a large amount of money up front and contractors whose bids are very low--they might cut corners and leave you with problems after they're gone. Don't make extensive permanent repairs until the claims adjuster has been to your home and assessed the damage.

If You Need to Relocate, Keep your Receipts
If your home is severely damaged and you need to find other accommodations while repairs are being made, keep records of all additional expenses incurred. Homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for the ‘loss of use’ of your home, if it is damaged by an insured disaster.

Prepare for the Adjuster's Visits
Your insurance company may send you a claim form, known as a 'proof of loss form,' to complete. Or an adjuster may visit your home first. (An adjuster is a person professionally trained to assess the damage.) In either case, the more information you have about your damaged possessions--a description of the item, approximate date of purchase and what it would cost to replace or repair--the faster your claim generally can be settled.
  • You are going to need to substantiate your loss. Prepare a home inventory of damaged or destroyed items and give a copy to the adjustor along with copies of receipts. Avoid throwing out damaged items until the adjuster has visited your home. You should also consider photographing or videotaping the damage. If your property was destroyed or you no longer have any records, you will have to work from memory.
     
  • Identify the structural damage to your home and other buildings on your premises, like a garage, tool shed or in-ground swimming pool. Make a list of everything you would like to show the adjuster, for example, cracks in the walls, damage to the floor or ceiling and missing roof tiles. You should also get the electrical system checked. Most insurance companies pay for such inspections.
     
  • If possible, get written bids from reliable, licensed contractors on the repair work. The bids should include details of the materials to be used and prices on a line-by-line basis. This makes adjusting the claim faster and simpler.
     
  • Keep copies of the lists and other documents you submit to your insurance company. Also keep copies of whatever paperwork your insurance company gives you and record the names and phone numbers of everyone you speak to.
     
  • Homeowners insurance policies usually don't cover flood damage. You need a separate flood insurance policy. If you have flood insurance through the federal government's National Flood Insurance Program your homeowners claim adjuster may coordinate claims for flood damage with other damage claims.
2. Settling insurance claims after a diaster
  
     
     
  Returning Home After Hurricane  
 

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http://tampa.about.com/library/storms/blafterstorm.htm

Hurricane Guide

After a Storm

Returning Home

Remember, if the area is struck by a catastrophic storm, returning home after an evacuation may be difficult, and you may not be allowed "back in" to affected areas immediately.  Emergency officials will cordon off areas which are not yet considered safe, and you will have to wait for them to give an "all clear" prior to being allowed in to the area.  Most likely, you will also be required to show proof of residence in the area to be allowed egress, this is one reason keeping important papers with you can be so important.

  • Stay tuned to local radio for information, advice and instructions regarding emergency aid, area status

  • As stated above, make sure you have valid ID

  • Avoid driving as much as possible.  Roads will be littered with debris, may be dangerous, blocked or closed by emergency officials.

  • Do not go out to sightsee.  Let emergency officials do their jobs in other neighborhoods as well so those residents can return home as well

  • Stay in at night.  You don't want to be mistaken for a looter

Safety Tips

  • Avoid sagging or downed power lines or other utility wires.  

  • Be aware that snakes, insects, and stray animals or even pets are often seen after storms seeking higher ground.  Remember stray pets can be traumatized by storm conditions, and can be highly agitated - take extra caution.

  • Be careful entering your home.  Open doors and windows for ventilation and to begin the drying process

  • If your home sustained water damages from flooding, do not turn main power back on until an inspection has been completed by a licensed electrician

  • Photograph thoroughly any damages to your home or property for your insurance records.

  • Take extra precautions with fire, matches, and candles.  You do not want to strike a match or carry candles in an area which could possibly have gas leaks.

  • Keep the telephone free for emergency communications

Portable Generators

In the event of a power outage, a portable generator can come in very handy.  There are, however several considerations to keep in mind regarding generator safety.

  • Do not connect  a generator to your home's wiring. Plug any appliances to be used directly in to the generator

  • Run the generator only in a well ventilated area

  • Remember to keep a close check on the oil.  Generally, you should check the oil each time you add fuel.

  • Never add fuel while the generator is running

Cleaning up

  • Always protect yourself by using safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, and boots.  

  • Do not try to remove large debris such as downed trees or overturned sheds etc.  Call a professional

  • Lift with your legs, not with your back

  • DO NOT burn trash

  • General rule:  If you don't know what something is, don't touch it.

  • Use caution with chainsaws in removing large tree limbs, etc.

Water

  • Disinfect tap water by boiling or by using purification tablets until officials announce the water is safe

  • Use only disinfected water for washing hands, brushing teeth, cleaning contacts, or any kind of internal use.

  • Keep an eye on pets - they have a tendency to drink water where they find it, and are just as susceptible to bacteria found in tainted water as humans are

 

 
* Seek necessary medical care at the nearest hospital or clinic. Contaminated flood waters lead to a greater possibility of infection. Severe injuries will require medical attention. * Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations, and put you at further risk from the residual effects of floods, such as contaminated waters, crumbled roads, landslides, mudflows, and other hazards. * Stay out of any building if flood waters remain around the building. Flood waters often undermine foundations, causing sinking, floors can crack or break and buildings can collapse. * Avoid entering ANY building (home, business, or other) before local officials have said it is safe to do so. Buildings may have hidden damage that makes them unsafe. Gas leaks or electric or waterline damage can create additional problems. * After returning home: * Throw away food that has come in contact with flood waters. Some canned foods may be salvageable. If the cans are dented or damaged, throw them away. Food contaminated by flood waters can cause severe infections. * If water is of questionable purity, boil or add bleach, and distill drinking water before using.

3. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Weather/story?id=118188&page=1

What To Do After a Hurricane

Safety Tips for Post-Hurricane Cleanup

July 30, 2005 --  The winds and rains of a violent hurricane may have passed, but danger still exists. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following safety advice for homeowners returning to their property after a major storm.

Returning Home - Be informed

Find out if local authorities have declared your neighborhood safe. Officials may close certain roads due to flooding or suspected road damage. Be aware if there are specific routes you need to take and if authorities have established assembly points for residents in your area.

Plan accordingly. Try to return to your home during daylight hours so you won't need to use lights. Make sure all family members are accounted for. Alert others of your status and plans to return home.

Drive carefully. Watch out for road hazards like debris and sinkholes.

Do NOT drive through any water. Standing water may be hiding large sinkholes or may be deeper than it appears. Attempting to drive through — even in a sport utility truck — may stall your vehicle and put you in a more dangerous situation.

Be aware of fallen electrical power lines. Do not drive over them or through any water that may contain downed lines.

If power lines fall on your vehicle while driving, continue to drive away from the danger. If your vehicle stalls, do not turn off the ignition and DO NOT get out. Wait for emergency rescue personnel and warn other bystanders away from your vehicle and potential danger.

Remain aware. Keep your radio tuned to local news and emergency broadcasts for updated information. If possible, keep a vehicle window slightly open so you can hear emergency sirens and other signals.

  
     
  Food Assistance  
     
 

In Texas…for evacuees located in the Lone Star State

Food Assistance / Food Stamp Benefits

All individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina that come to Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) offices are being treated as applicants for expedited food stamp benefits, regardless of previous receipt of benefits in another state and other eligibility factors. HHSC has been working closely with the U. S. Department of Agriculture to implement these temporary changes. Food Stamp benefits are 100% federally funded.

Specifically:

  • Because the situation makes proof of income and assets difficult, client statements are being accepted for income and other eligibility factors.
  • Resources are disregarded.
  • If the applicant has income but it is not accessible to him/her, the applicant may still qualify for benefits.

For those displaced individuals who have an electronic benefits card from an affected state, benefits can be accessed through Texas retailers such as HEB, Kroger, and Wal-Mart.

Louisiana has applied for a disaster declaration that will allow them to make various changes, including issuing a supplemental payment to compensate for damaged food.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is working to provide Louisiana WIC (Women, Infants, Children Program) clients access to their food and nutrition benefits in Texas.

 		 
     
     
  HOUSING INFORMATION  
     
 

Adopt a Storm Family

http://www.adoptastormfamily.com/

The damage from Hurricane Katrina is catastrophic and our neighbors need our help. The purpose of this website is to facilitate communications between the victims and their families and to connect victims to people willing to provide shelter and/or other basic necessities.

HurricaneHousingSearch.org/.com

http://hurricanehousingsearch.com/

Offer hurricane housing to Katrina survivors or search for Katrina housing. For hurricane Katrina survivors in search of voluntary, temporary housing.  Search by state or by keyword to locate homes made available by caring citizens of the United States.  Free, non-commercial, non-profit directory.

Hurricane Katrina Evacuee Housing Clearinghouse:

http://www.adventures.org/a/katrina_relief/refuge_housing.asp

Please note that the matching of evacuee families with hosts is not an easy process for those involved and requires a level of trust and patience on the behalf of all parties. When the time comes we will put host and evacuee in touch with each other so and they may talk and together determine whether or not it is a match. Also, please keep in mind that not every potential host will be matched with an evacuee family for any one of a variety of reasons including distance, space requirements, etc., and the eventual lack of need for additional hosts.

Modestneeds.org

http://www.modestneeds.org/help/applications/hurricane/

If you've opened home to some of Katrina's survivors, or if you've been displaced by Katrina yourself, Modest Needs is here to help you weather this storm.We will consider all applications for expenses related to Hurricane Relief on a case-by-case basis and move to assist our Hurricane Relief applicants as quickly as we can, for as long as funding remains available.

 PLEASE NOTE: the application process for help from our Hurricane Relief fund is generally the same as our standard application process, but there are three important exceptions:

Offer housing to Hurricane survivors

Click Here: HurricaneHousing.org - Hurricane Katrina Housin…

Hurricane survivors need work too. If, in addition to housing, you can connect hurricane survivors with temporary work, please note that in your description

KatrinaHousing.net
The housing information gateway  http://katrinahousing.net/

Hurricane Katrina Resource Page
http://www.hud.gov/katrina/index.cfm/ 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410
Telephone: (202) 708-1112   TTY: (202) 708-1455

Hurricane Katrina Recovery Resources from Rural Development
 http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/disasters/katrina.html
1-800-414-1226 (toll-free)

National Low Income Housing
http://www.nlihc.org/

Hurricane Katrina Update HUD has established a single toll-free housing hotline, 1-888-297-8685, to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina with housing needs. The number operates from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT, seven days a week.

Hurricane Katrina Federal Web Information
http://www.fema.gov/

Katrina AIDS Alliance Emergency Fund
 http://www.aids-alliance.org/aids_alliance/index.html

Katrina relief fund to support the emergency needs of families and young people living with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Direct Relief
www.directrelief.org

Providing emergency medical supplies to Louisiana, Arkansa and Mississippi.

Habitat for Humanity
www.habitat.org or call 229-924-6935

Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) is coordinating efforts to send life-saving and life-sustaining medical supplies, as well as financial resources to purchase and transport medical and food assistance directly to victims.

LEAN
PO Box 66323
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
or visit www.leanweb.org or call 225-928-1315

Grassroots/Low-income/People of Color-led Hurricane Katrina Relief
http://radicalreference.info/altkatrinarelief

A list of grassroots organizations that provide immediate disaster relief to poor people and people of color. Generally, efforts included in the above extensive directory from Spark Foundation/Mayday are not duplicated here in this Radical Reference list.

  
 

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