Disaster Recovery News

The Associated Press reported that the heavy 2008 hurricane season has reduced the American Red Cross’s funding to a staggering low. The organization is searching everywhere for funds to stabilize their finances as Hurricane Ike threatens to create a dramatic need for their assistance.

The Red Cross reported they raised $5 million for their costs associated of Hurricane Gustav – $35 million shy of the estimated final price tag.

On Monday, the NFL will be encouraging viewers to donate to the Red Cross on air and in the stadiums to help the recovery organization after what is estimated to be huge devastation from Hurricane Ike.

To make a donation, visit the Red Cross today.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced yesterday that federal disaster aid will be made available to New Hampshire to aid state and local government funding for areas affected by the storms, flooding and tornadoes that ripped through on July 24, 2008. The public assistance will be provided to the local governments and some nonprofit organizations for emergency work like the repair or replacement of facilities damaged in Belknap, Carroll and Rockingham counties.

Additional designations may be made available at a future time after further assessment is completed.

The August edition of PC Magazine has a great article on how more and more people are using the internet to aid in speedy disaster recovery after events like Hurricane Katrina and the recent flooding in Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

The article comes just as hurricane season seems to be intensifyng (read more on recent Tropical Storm Dolly) and more people are looking to the Red Cross and FEMA for answers and help.

Some of the sites highlighted are the American Red Cross Safe and Well List, an online database where families can check to see if their relatives are safe and Freecycle.org, an online forum for posting temporary housing, jobs, furniture and clothing available immediately after a disaster.

You can read the complte PC Magazine article, A Safety Net for Disaster Relief, online.