Hurricane Sandy - Northeast Coast, USA (October 29, 2012)

Molly Bull, Senior Communications Manager, Microsoft Disaster Response

As has been widely reported, Hurricane Sandy is bearing down on the U.S. East Coast, with extensive shut-downs and evacuations from Washington D.C. to New York. 

Microsoft is closely monitoring the situation, and has already taken several actions including publishing its disaster response ReadyReach information portal. This site provides information on updates & projections from experts, preparedness recommendations from FEMA, and links to more information on what you can do to help. A number of nonprofits are actively responding to the storm, including:

• American Red Cross – Mobilized more than 400 workers, 200,000 ready-to-eat meals shipped, six shelters in Virginia and North Carolina.
• AmeriCares – Assessing needs with over 130 response partners, positioned stock of supplies and medicine ready for immediate shipment.
• Save the Children – Using U.S. Emergencies Fund to help prepared to distribute aid, psychosocial support, and more.
• World Vision – Ready to dispatch flood clean-up kits, working with local partners to bolster emergency supplies, and more.

Latest Information

For all the latest news and information on storm developments follow NBC News and the Storm Tracker map. Another great resource is the American Red Cross’s Hurricane App. It provides great information about hurricanes, what to do immediately afterwards, and location-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) alerts. It will provide the information you need at your fingertips.