Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort: How You Can Help

Hurricane Sandy’s Aftermath on the Outer Banks

First, we’d like to take a moment to thank each of you for your patience, understanding and support during the recovery efforts of Hurricane Sandy. Your words of support and encouragement over the past several days have meant a great deal us here at Seaside Vacations, and to the Outer Banks community as a whole. We’ve received inquiries from all across the country, from folks wanting to help. It’s a nice reminder there is goodness in the world.

Hurricane Sandy’s outer bands began to reach the Outer Banks on October 27th.  For  three solid days we experienced hurricane and tropical storm conditions. Many sections of Route 12 (The Beach Road) are now buckled and broken as storm-driven waves punched through protective dunes. Ocean overwash flooded the Bypass (US 158) causing a temporary shutdown in Kitty Hawk. Soundside flooding covered roads, yards and crept into homes. At least one home was swept away and damage to N.C. 12 has cut off bridge access to Hatteras Island – which is now only accessible by ferry.

As the Outer Banks Hurricane Sandy photos show, there has been great loss and devastation throughout the Outer Banks.

As such, Seaside Vacations is responding to the local need for disaster relief by partnering with the Outer Banks Relief Foundation to aid those in our community that  need a helping hand due to Hurricane Sandy.

Helping the Outer Banks

If you’d like to help the Outer Banks rebuild our quaint, friendly, beachside community, we ask that you support the efforts of the Outer Banks Relief Foundation by going to www.outerbanksrelieffoundation.com/ and donating whatever amount you can for Hurricane Sandy disaster relief.

The mission of the Outer Banks Relief Foundation is to assist citizens in the Outer Banks community who are burdened with financial difficulties due to a debilitating disease or illness, or a personal tragedy or crisis to themselves and/or their families.

You can also send a check made payable to the “Outer Banks Relief Foundation” to Seaside Vacations, Attn: Hurricane Sandy Relief, P.O. Box 3339, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.

Every donation is tax deductible. Any amount would be greatly appreciated and will go to great use.

Other Ways to Help

Sandy was considered a “once in a century” storm, and the relief efforts for Sandy will be long and difficult. People will continue to need help for weeks, even months, to put their lives back together.

We realize that the Outer Banks is just one small area that was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Many of our guests, homeowners and friends in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the rest of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic have witnessed, first-hand, the widespread damage by Hurricane Sandy.

If you’d like to go beyond the Outer Banks and help the entire affected area, here are some ways you can help.

The American Red Cross
Always the first choice in a disaster for its reach and scale, The American Red Cross is collecting funds and coordinating blood donations. The organization sheltered more than 3,000 people across nine states during the worst of the storm. You can donate $10 by phone by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Sandy has caused the cancellation of about 300 American Red Cross blood drives. Therefore, The American Red Cross is urging immediate blood and platelet donations in areas unaffected by this storm, so that it can be sent to those who need it. (Remember there are many hospitals still without power.)

To schedule a blood donation at a center near you or for more information about giving blood or platelets, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is also collecting funds to assist Sandy’s victims, and is providing providing meals and shelter to thousands. Text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation. To confirm the donation, respond with the word “Yes.” Or call 800-SAL-ARMY (800-725-2769) to help out, or donate online. If you are already volunteer-certified, you can sign up to help out with disaster relief.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals takes donations to rescue and shelter animals affected by the storm. Nearly 300 animals are staying with their owners in shelters in the New York City area, the agency said.

AmeriCares
You can donate to AmeriCares’ relief fund to help the organization, which is distributing supplies to 130 clinics in the 13 states affected by Sandy.

Photos courtesy of Whitney Norko Photography.