New York, USA: As the East Coast braces for the megastorm, UNITED SIKHS is working closely with the Office of Emergency Management and State VOADs to track the impact and providing relief services .
UNITED SIKHS is also collaborating with American Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee on plans to convert the Gurdwaras (Sikh place of worship) into shelters and making arrangements for providing food and water to those impacted by this devastating storm.
Flash flooding and lengthy power outages are expected. The Hurricane has already caused massive destruction in its path and is expected to affect 60 million people. More than 100,000 people are without power across several East Coast states. President Barack Obama in his statement today said, “We are working closely with FEMA and local and state officials .This is going to be a big and powerful storm and all across the Eastern Seaboard, I think everybody is taking the appropriate preparations.Please listen to what your state and local officials are saying. Don’t pause or question for instructions. This is a serious storm.”
UNITED SIKHS urges all families to be fully prepared in this category 1 hurricane and expect a loss of power, water, and potentially even shelter. Be aware of the exact locations of your local shelters; make sure you have emergency bags packed ahead of time in the case that you need to vacate your home. Have your local police number saved ahead of time in your charged phones and seal your windows and doors. Have a food and water supply to last at least a few days in the case that electricity and water are cut off to your home.
UNITED SIKHS also urges all of those in need of help and resources to call the UMEED national helpline at 1-855-878-6333. Below is a list of emergency supplies that each family must have.

Emergency Supplies

(Adapted from and copuready.gov)

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Local maps, copies of important documents
• First Aid kit with a whistle to signal for help
• 7 day supply of your prescription medications if you take any routinely, Infant formula and diaper
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, Fire extinguisher
• Can opener for food (if a kit contains canned food)
• Clothing and Bedding
  • One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person, including:
  • A jacket or coat, Long pants, long sleeve shirt
• Sturdy shoes
• A hat and gloves
• A sleeping bag/warm blanket for each person

UNITED SIKHS urges other Sikh organizations and community members to be a part of this effort and contact UNITED SIKHS for any coordinated effort.
Please contact UNITED SIKHS at sikhaid@unitedsikhs.org for any communication.