City Councilmember Brad Lander sent this update yesterday:
I have been amazed by this community’s response to this storm. People took their responsibilities to their community seriously – securing loose objects around their home before the storm, helping neighbors who suffered damage, and volunteering and donating at shelters today. That commitment to community is what makes this such a special place to live.
Your help is still needed. Read below for volunteer opportunities as well as closure updates.
Closures
Schools will be closed again Wednesday.
Some bus lines have resumed limited service, but it will be at least several days before all subway lines are up and running. The MTA is assessing damage and working to restore service (including pumping out flooded subway tunnels).
Alternate Side Parking and meters are suspended Tuesday and Wednesday.
Volunteers Still Needed
The response to my email this morning was amazing. Both shelters in the 39th Council District, John Jay High School (237 7th Avenue, between 4th & 5th Streets) and the Park Slope Armory (361 15th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues), received a lot of volunteers. But the day shift will be heading home and the shelters still need volunteers for this evening and overnight (especially at the Armory).
You need to be willing to work a six to eight hour shift and cannot bring your children. The Armory is sheltering people with additional medical needs, so volunteers should be comfortable working with the elderly, disabled, or others who may need extra support. We will update BradLander.com/hurricane with volunteer information as we receive it, so please check for any updates before you leave for the shelter.
While those are the two shelters in my council district, there may be other shelters closer to you. Enter your address here to find the closest shelter to you and reach out to see if they are also in need of volunteers. You can also sign up to volunteer in the coming days with NYC Service Initiative or the Red Cross.
I want to give a big thank you to Alexander Rapaport of Masbia, Chaverim of Borough Park, and Councilmember Letitia James, who delivered hot meals and other food to the Armory today on short notice.
In the coming days, there will be many other opportunities to provide service, including park clean ups, blood drives, and calls for donations. And thank you to everyone who donated clothing at John Jay High School this morning.
No more clothing donations are needed at John Jay High School at this time.
Reporting Damage
Downed trees and debris
If you see any downed trees or other debris from the storm, your first call should be to 311 (you can also contact 311 online). If there is an immediate danger to life, call 911 right away. Make sure to write down the tracking number from your 311 call. To alert my office of downed trees or other storm damage, use the storm damage report form on my website (make sure to include the 311 tracking number).
Federal assistance
You can apply for disaster assistance from the federal government here.
Insurance claims
In most cases, funds for repairs from storm damage will come through claims to your homeowners or renters insurance company. The New York Times offers this helpful advice on hurricane insurance claims.
Parks
I updated you this morning on the damage at Prospect Park. Cobble Hill Park, Carroll Park, and Greenwood Cemetery, in addition to other open spaces in our district, have suffered real damage from the hurricane.
All parks remain closed for safety concerns. You should stay out of all parks until the City announces that they have been reopened.
Halloween
Following the hurricane, some of our much-loved neighborhood Halloween celebrations have had to change their plans. Obviously, each family will have to decide for themselves about trick-or-treating tomorrow night.
The Park Slope Civic Council’s Halloween Parade has been cancelled. The event requires many police officers, sanitation workers, and other city employees, who are needed more in neighboring communities that were heavily damaged from the storm.
Organizers are still deciding about the Cobble Hill Halloween Parade and we will let you know when we have more information.
Please continue to reach out to me with problems, questions, thoughts, and concerns.
Brad