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SUPERSTORM SANDY:
One Month Update
 
SUPERSTORM SANDY ONE MONTH UPDATE 2
 A Message from the Red Cross President and CEO
Hurricane Sandy was a major storm that impacted an area the size of Europe and caused a tremendous amount of destruction across New York, New Jersey and other states. The American Red Cross has responded with what is
our biggest U.S. disaster response in more than ve years, and we are incredibly grateful for the generous support of so many donors and volunteers as well as government and non-prot partners across the country that enable us to help the survivors of this storm. Through this support, we have accomplished much. But there is still work to be done, and we will be there to help.I grew up and spent much of my life in the New York/New Jersey area, and I have been to the affected areas ve times in the rst weeks since the storm. In my more than four-and-a-half years at the Red Cross, I’m no stranger to disasters, whether tornadoes, oods, earthquakes or hurricanes. But what struck me was the massiveness of it, the miles and miles of devastation that  just seemed endless. Boats lifted over homes. Washing machines in the middle of the street. And so much trash— boxes, furniture, mementos and precious memories of families—piled up along the curb as far as the eye can see.This also is the rst time I’ve seen a hurricane response during cold weather, as the late-October Sandy was quickly followed by a nor’easter that dumped snow and brought frigid temperatures to people already struggling without power. I saw many people with Red Cross blankets wrapped around them or wearing the gloves from our cleanup
kits to keep their hands warm.
I met many people who wanted simply to tell me their stories—a woman who had moved here from another country and who lost everything; a woman in a shelter who was worried about her home; a man on Staten Island  who didn’t know why his home was spared when the homes of his neighbors were demolished. Sharing these experiences is part of the healing process. I was also struck by the determination of individuals to start over, rebuild, and power through their loss.Every time there is a need, the American public steps up. Our citizens open their hearts to volunteer to provide comfort and hope; they reach into their wallets to provide nancial support; and they even open their veins to donate blood to save the lives of complete strangers.Because of our generous donors and volunteers, we are carrying out a major response with more than 14,400 people—90 percent of them volunteers from all 50 states—providing shelter, food, water, supplies and comfort to families impacted by the storm. My heart lls with pride for these Red Cross workers, who seem tireless even as they work in shelters, distribute meals and supplies or listen to someone in need.The Red Cross has given help and hope for weeks already, and we will continue to do so for weeks and months to come. We believe our relief operations are going to cost well over $110 million and could go higher depending on the needs. We are going to honor the wishes of our donors, and after the emergency relief part of work, we will use any remaining donations for Sandy to meet the longer-term needs of communities affected by this disaster. We are
committed to being good stewards of your contributions.
On behalf of the entire Red Cross and the people who we serve, we deeply appreciate your tremendous generosity.Gail McGovern
 
SUPERSTORM SANDY ONE MONTH UPDATE 3
In Advance of the Storm
The 2012 hurricane season had one last blow when weather reports warned of a tropical storm—Sandy—forming during
the last week of October, just one month before the ofcial
end of the hurricane season on November 30. The threat heightened as forecasts of a “superstorm” arose, with the chance of a devastating storm surge exacerbated by high tides from the coinciding full moon, and the possibility of the tropical storm colliding with a cold front. Experts were
predicting massive ooding in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
and heavy snow in West Virginia.
As meteorologists tracked the path of the strengthening
storm, schools and federal and local governments closed,
major airports shut down, AMTRAK stopped service, roads
closed and public transportation was halted—all in anticipation of Sandy’s wind, rain and waves.
In the days leading up to the storm’s landfall, the Red Cross identied shelters, readied supplies, and mobilized emergency response vehicles and relief workers. The Red Cross coordi-
nated with federal, state and local governments as well
as other nonprots to help threatened communities brace
for impact.
To help people get ready, the Red Cross encouraged those in the path of the storm to follow the advice of local ofcials
and prepare. They were urged to download our free Hurricane
app for smart phones, which launched in August 2012. The app helps users nd the nearest shelter locations, receive weather
alerts and preparedness tips, and post a “safe and well” mes
-
sage to let loved ones know they’re out of harm’s way.
Because the Red Cross is prepared to respond to disasters
throughout the year, we had shelters open for people ahead
of the storm, warehouses stocked with shelf-stable meals
and supplies, and emergency vehicles ready to deploy.
Timeline of Red Cross Response
OCTOBER 22
A tropical depres-sion forms in the southern Caribbean Sea; the depression later strengthens and becomes Tropical Storm Sandy.
OCTOBER 24
Sandy becomes a Category 1 hurricane;
triggers ooding, mudslides, injuries and deaths in Cuba,
Haiti and Jamaica. The Red Cross
issues the rst of
many disaster alerts.
OCTOBER 25
The Red Cross begins to mobilize
workers, shelters and supplies,
preparing for Sandy’s impact.
OCTOBER 28
Sandy moves northeast along
the East Coast, on
a collision course with a high-pressure cold front. More than
190 shelters open,
sheltering more than
4,600 residents.
OCTOBER 27
Sandy makes a turn to the northeast off the coast of Florida. Six shelters open in North Carolina and Virginia.
OCTOBER 29
12:30
PM
Sandy makes a northwest turn to-ward the coast of New Jersey. Red Cross operations are established
across 11 states,
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Total number of shelters includes both Red Cross and independent shelters
Food and Shelter
The Red Cross opens shelters to en-
sure people have a safe place to stay before, during and after the storm.
The Red Cross serves meals at
shelters, as well as from emergency response vehicles moving through
neighborhoods and xed feeding
sites in affected communities.
Relief Items
The Red Cross distributes a range
of relief items including comfort kits with hygiene items like toothbrushes and toothpaste, cleaning supplies,
ashlights, batteries, trash bags, cold-weather essentials (gloves, blankets, hand-warmers) and shovels.
Disaster Vehicles, Equipment and Warehouses
Red Cross workers drive through
neighborhoods to distribute water, food and relief supplies in more than 300 feeding trucks as well as rental cars, trucks and other vehicles. This also includes costs associated
with warehousing, eet management,
fuel and other necessities.
Physical and Mental Health Services
The Red Cross provides physical and
emotional support services to clients
including rst aid and replacement of
prescription medicines.
Individual Casework and  Assistance
Red Cross caseworkers meet with
individuals affected by disaster to offer assistance, identify special needs and help them plan their
long-term recovery. Assistance can
include groceries, clothing, lodging and other aid to help a family get back on its feet.
RED CROSS SUPERSTORM SANDY RESPONSE*
Estimated Expenses through December 31 $110M
(in thousands)
Food and Shelter$72,950
66.3%
Relief Items$30,000
27.3%
Disaster Vehicles, Equipment and Warehouses$3,000
 2.7%
Physical and Mental Health Services$2,200
 2.0%
Individual Casework and Assistance$1,850
 1.7%
Food and Shelter$72,950
66.3%
Relief Items$30,000
27.3%
*An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.

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