Congress Approves $9.7 Billion in Insurance Funding to Aid Sandy Victims

The U.S. House of Representatives approved an initial round of funding for the National Flood Insurance Program. Another $50 billion could come Jan. 15.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure late Friday afternoon allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to borrow $9.7 billion to pay insurance claims made by victims of Hurricane Sandy. The bill, HR 41, temporarily increases the borrowing authority of FEMA to allow the agency to carry out payment claims made by property owners to the National Flood Insurance Program.  Congress moved to approve the funding stop-gap Friday after concerns were raised that aid for Sandy victims had been delayed too long. The House, specifically, Majority Speaker John Boehner, R-OH, came under fire for tabling a Sandy aid package until after the New Year.   Congress is expected to vote on two additional bills authorizing more than $…

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Watch 12-12-12 Concert Live on Patch

The concert will benefit Hurricane Sandy victims, via the Robin Hood Foundation.

Some of the biggest names in music take the stage at Madison Square Garden for the live 12-12-12 concert for Sandy relief. While thousands of people fill the arena, billions are watching live on a variety of screens worldwide.  The concert is streaming live on television networks, movie theater screens and on the Internet, including right here on Patch. The pre-event coverage begins at 4:00 p.m. EST and the concert is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. The all-star lineup includes Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Eddie Vedder, Roger Waters, Kanye West, The Who, and Paul McCartney, with other artists to be announced. Every penny sold from ticket sales will go …

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Heidi Klum to Aid Hurricane Sandy Victims on Sunday, Dec. 2

The supermodel mom will help distribute supplies in partnership with the American Red Cross and Patch on Sunday, Dec. 2.

Supermodel Heidi Klum is lending her efforts to affected victims and families of Superstorm Sandy by distributing relief today, Dec. 2, at a location on Long Island, in partnership with the American Red Cross, AOL, and Patch.   After, Klum will go to Lindenhurst, NY, for the tree lighting with Mayor Thomas Brennan Klum's efforts are a reminder that these communities still need help rebuilding. Here's how you can help: Donate to the American Red Cross, Long Island Cares, or Island Harvest. And, you can help rebuild communities that were hit by Hurricane Sandy by simply sending a tweet: Patch’s effort to help support devastated communities after the storm, Patch Rebuilds, will donate $1 to the AmeriCares Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund…

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Tweet #PatchRebuilds to Help Hurricane Sandy Survivors

Patch will make a $1 donation to AmeriCares for every tweet with the hashtag #PatchRebuilds.

Tweet #PatchRebuilds to Help Hurricane Sandy Survivors

Patch will make a $1 donation to AmeriCares for every tweet with the hashtag #PatchRebuilds.

You can help rebuild communities that were hit by Hurricane Sandy by donating cans of food, volunteering for cleanup efforts—or simply sending a tweet. Patch is excited to announce our new effort to help support devastated communities after the storm. For every tweet sent with the hashtag #PatchRebuilds, we will donate $1 to the AmeriCares Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund, up to $125,000. Your contribution will go toward medical and humanitarian aid, grants and programs to help Sandy survivors. You can simply tweet the hashtag #PatchRebuilds, or go to our Patch Rebuilds website, rebuilds.patch.com, and tweet directly from the site. A customized tweet that starts “My heart belongs to…” is created from the Patch Rebuilds website, and …

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Kroger Rounds Up Support for Those Affected by Hurricane Sandy

Customers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar – the difference benefiting the American Red Cross and its disaster relief efforts in the Northeast.

Kroger stores throughout the Atlanta Division are encouraging customers and associates to donate to the American Red Cross, which is providing shelter, meals, emotional support and other necessities to those affected by the deadly aftermath of Hurricane Sandy after it made landfall on Monday. In support of the thousands of Americans affected by Hurricane Sandy, Kroger launched a “Round-Up” campaign in which customers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar – the difference benefiting the American Red Cross and its disaster relief efforts in the Northeast. Customers can also make donations to the American Red Cross at Kroger cash registers or you can donate $10 by phone by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. Sandy has caused the …

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How Will Hurricane Sandy Affect Holiday Travel Plans?

With damage to airports and flooding rampant, Holiday travel could be difficult this year.

It's safe to say that the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy will be felt for a long time up and down the Eastern Seaboard. One of the most immediate effects of the storm may be difficulties in holiday travel arising from flood and storm damage. Marci Zied of Canton's A Love of Travel travel agency doesn't see too many problems for holiday travelers as a result of Hurricane Sandy; in fact, she is leaving for Spain on Friday through New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. "We were worried because JFK was closed earlier, but it will be open to international flights by the time we leave," she said. "By Thanksgiving it shouldn't be an issue." Zied did say that New York's LaGuardia Airport, which handles more domestic flights, is closed due…

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GDOT: Think Safety in High Winds, Strong Gusts

Georgia Department of Transportation is monitoring weather conditions and forecasts as extremely high winds are predicted for Forsyth and other counties.

Georgia Department of Transportation is urging drivers in north Georgia to think safety as Hurricane Sandy brings near freezing temperatures and strong, gusty winds to Cumming and the area. A wind advisory for Forsyth and other counties, effective through 8 p.m. Tuesday, warns of 20 to 25 mph winds with gusts up to 40 mph. “We are continuously monitoring current weather conditions and forecasts as snow flurries and extremely high winds are predicted for Northeast Georgia," said Bayne Smith, Northeast Georgia District Engineer. "Snow, black ice, fallen trees and damaged traffic signals are possible through tomorrow morning. Before you head out on the roads tomorrow please check the weather and road conditions, especially if you live or …

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Catastrophic East Coast Storm Notice

Sandy is projected to move northward and spread to the eastern Carolinas late tonight Saturday with gusts near 50 mph.

Sandy will be moving away from the Bahamas this afternoon, allowing conditions to improve in that area, according to AccuWeather. As it moves northward, squally weather will spread to the eastern Carolinas late tonight Saturday, with gusts near 50 mph. This will then be a catastrophic storm for the Middle Atlantic and Northeast. It will not be a purely tropical system, with a core of powerful winds near the center, but rather more like a Nor'Easter, with strong winds over a larger area. Damaging winds will affect areas from Virginia up into New York and New England, leading to widespread power outages and property damage. A storm surge of 5-10 feet, perhaps higher in spots, near and north of where the center comes in will combine with …

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