Quick Tips

In a life-threatening emergency, ALWAYS dial 911.

In the Rochester and Finger Lakes region, you can dial 211 to access a variety of resources, including local shelters and food banks.  You can also access these resources by visiting www.211FingerLakes.org.

If your power is out, you may need to seek alternative shelter in cold weather.  To search for an open shelter, text "SHELTER" and a zip code to 43362. For additional immediate assistance, you can find resources listed here.

To report downed power lines or hazardous situations, all RGE customers can call a hotline at 1-800-743-1701.

If you have experienced storm related damage to your home or business, you can apply for disaster assistance from FEMA.  Click here to learn more, or dial 1-800-462-9029 or 1-800-621-3362 to contact FEMA directly.

While major storm conditions may have passed, continue to monitor weather forecasts via local television and radio reports.  You can also visit www.weather.gov (http://mobile.weather.gov on your mobile phone) for the latest forecast.

If you are experiencing power outages, remember to keep your food safe.  Use a cooler to keep food cold and group food together in a freezer to stay cold longer.  To view a full set of guidelines on keeping your food safe, click here.

For anyone who has been displaced from their home because of Superstorm Sandy, view resources from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development here.

More Resources:

FloodSmart.gov – Affected individuals are encouraged to visit FloodSmart.gov for important tools, tips and guidance for recovery after a flood. FloodSmart is the official Website of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Avoid Scams in the wake of disaster- Be wary of scam artists that show up after a disaster. Click to view tips that will help you avoid predatory scam artists. 

Volunteer or Donate- If you are safe and sound, join the effort to help our community rebuild.  Visit RedCross.org for more info, and consider a donation to the Red Cross or another organization of your choice to help with the recovery effort.

photo courtesy of NASA Goodard Photo and Video.  Published under Creative Common liscense.