We got hit HARD by Hurricane Irene here in Richmond, VA. We're on day 5, no power... we're running a generator, but suffered a lot of loss the first 2 days as far as food. Now, I'm not going to be able to make my rent payment (and can't get in touch with the landlord) because we've had to keep the gennie going to salvage what little food we have left. They're saying our neighborhood (which was hit the worst apparently... we can't even get out without walking; cars can't make it through yet) will not get power back for another 7-10 days (which is okay, we're acting like we're camping, high spirits here!!)
Since we can't get watch t.v. or listen to the radio, does anyone know if there is FEMA or Red Cross assistance available to those who suffered food/monetary losses in Richmond due to the Hurricane? My internet is super flaky and I can not search google :(
Is everyone else okay? Did you suffer any loss? Please share your story!
And as most of you know, we had been at the beach, and were evacuated prior to this... IMO, we would have been safer there, NO TREES AT THE BEACH!! ;) No trees on houses, cars, powerlines, and people... BOOO HURRICANE IRENE!!
OH and if anyone can provide the actual address where we can go to apply, that would be great... we have NO cell service in our neighborhood either. It's a mess!
And THANK YOU to the HUGE outpouring of PMs with thoughts and prayers, that means the world to me ladies, you just don't even know!! Much love!! :)
Greater Richmond Chapter
American Red Cross
420 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: ###-###-####
FEMA
Call (800) 621-3362
Best wishes!!
I am so glad to hear you all are ok. Looks like you have some info below, so I'm only gonig to add that I hope it's sooner than 7-10 days for you! But glad you are good.
There you are! You had us worried.
If your house is unliveable, there may be a way your landlord can get his money from his insurance company. In some landlord policies there is a clause for "loss of rent." If the house is damaged and he can't collect rent, while it's unliveable and being repaired, he can file for the damages, including his loss of rent. If you have renters insurance, your food in your fridge may be covered under your policy, subject to your deductible. Sorry, I do insurance. That's the only way I know to help.
Oh wow, R.. So sorry for your ordeal, but glad you are safe!
This is the # listed on FEMA's website. (800) 621-3362
ETA:
American Red Cross, Virginia Capital Region 420 East Cary Street Richmond, VA 23219
Telephone: ###-###-####
ETA2: More from the FEMA website:
Do I qualify for "Other than Housing Needs" Assistance?
To receive money for "Other than Housing Needs" that are the result of a disaster, all the following must be true:
•You have losses in an area that has been declared a disaster area by the President.
•You have filed for insurance benefits and the damage to your property is not covered by your insurance or your insurance settlement is insufficient to meet your losses.
•You or someone who lives with you is a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien.
•You have necessary expenses or serious needs because of the disaster.
•You have accepted assistance from all other sources for which you are eligible, such as insurance proceeds or Small Business Administration disaster loans.
I live in Richmond, VA as well. Right now FEMA does not have any applications posted on their site for emergency food assistance. It says to please check back. Right now, people are relying on the Red Cross. Their phone number is
Telephone: ###-###-#### Address: 420 East Cary Street Richmond, VA 23219
Additional info:
Mayor Dwight C. Jones on Tuesday announced a free shuttle service to transport residents who are without power to open and operating grocery stores.
The GRTC City Supermarket Shuttle will be free to the riders on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We want residents to have some ability to get the goods and products that they need that will keep in this environment while power is being restored,” the mayor said in a statement. “We are also making some basic essentials and non-perishables available at fire stations throughout the city beginning late this afternoon.”
Buses will board passengers at specific locations and transport them to nearby supermarkets, according to the city. The bus operator will wait for 35 to 40 minutes while passengers make their purchases. Then the buses will deliver passengers to their original stop. Buses will repeat this routine throughout the scheduled service time.
The shuttles will board passengers at the following locations and times Tuesday:
Bus 1 (transport to Food Lion on Jefferson Davis Highway) will board at two locations:
Hillside Court Management Office, 1500 Harwood St.: 2:30 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 5:10 p.m.
Bellemeade Management Office, Lynhaven and Brady: 2:40 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:10 p.m.
Bus 2 (transport to Kroger at Lombardy and Broad streets) will board at one location:
Frederick Faye Towers, First and Hospital streets: 2:30 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 5:10 p.m.
Bus 3 (transport to Food Lion on Mechanicsville Turnpike) will board at four locations:
Creighton Court Management Office, 2101 Creighton Road: 2:30 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Fairfield Court Management Office, 2506 Phaup St.: 2:40 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:20 p.m.
Whitcomb Court Management Office, 2302 Carmine St.: 2:50 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 5:10 p.m.
Mosby Court Management Office, 1543 Coalter St.: 3 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 5:40 p.m.
The shuttles will board passengers at the following locations and times Wednesday:
Bus 1 (transport to Food Lion on Jefferson Davis Highway) will board at two locations:
Court Management Office, 1500 Harwood St.: 10 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:40 p.m.
Bellemeade Management Office, Lynhaven and Brady: 10:10 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:30 p.m.
Bus 2 (transport to Kroger at Lombardy and Broad streets) will board at one location:
Frederick Faye Towers, First and Hospital streets: 10 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:10 p.m., 2:15 p.m.
Bus 3 (transport to Food Lion on Mechanicsville Turnpike) will board at two locations:
Creighton Court Management Office, 2101 Creighton Road: 10 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m.
Fairfield Court Management Office, 2506 Phaup St.: 10:10 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:30 p.m.
Bus 4 (transport to Food Lion on Mechanicsville Turnpike) will board at two locations:
Whitcomb Court Management Office, 2302 Carmine St.: 10 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m.
Mosby Court Management Office, 1543 Coalter St.: 10:10 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:30 p.m.
The need for continued supermarket shuttles will be evaluated as services are restored to neighborhoods. The public will be notified if the GRTC City Supermarket Shuttles will be continued past Wednesday.
The city advised residents to be patient and added that there could be delays based on traffic and the time of day.
For detailed route and schedule information, call GRTC Customer Service Center at ###-###-####, or visit www.ridegrtc.com
What about the Salvation Army? Figure they're on the ground in the area somewhere as well!
Hello Gorgeous!!
So glad to see this post and that you guys are ok!
I don't have any info on red cross and all that, but if there is anything I can do to help let me know!
I'm sorry I missed this yesterday!!!
It's SOOOOOOO good to have you back!!!
I would check with both FEMA and the Red Cross as well as the Salvation Army - there was a mom on here a few weeks ago who gave us information about the Salvation Army that I did not know about!!
How can I help you girlfriend?
I AM GLAD TO SEE YOUR SHINY NAME!!!!
I have been thinking about you like crazy!!!!
As for info I dont have any...but man It is good to see you posting something!!
I would start with the Red Cross, they should have a mobile unit in your neighborhood by now. If not the address is: American Red Cross, Virginia Capital Region 420 East Cary Street Richmond, VA 23219. They can help you out with food, clothes, temp housing if needed, possibly even rent money.
Did you have renters insurance? Some people will file claims for food lost but if the $ amt isnt that great you may forgo that so your premiums stay low.
Again glad to see your ok!
Someone just asked about where you have been. Sorry for your loss and I hope the landlord understands your situation, but...
SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE OK!
Glad you are okay. What an adventure you are in!
I'm so glad you made it through ok and safe.
Good luck to you and yours.
It's good to know you are alright!
We were worried about you.
I hope your power comes back sooner than expected.
Our power was only out 24 hours so I had nothing like what you are going through.
Update us when you can and stay safe.
R., I'm so sorry about the hurricane loss. I completely understand. We didn't have power for 12 days after Hurricane Ike. I'm not a big fan of FEMA. I had a bad experience with them here in Houston. However, when one needs assistances go for all you can. I would contact both FEMA and Red Cross. If you have a church, contact them. Check out the local grocery stores, they may be helping as well. Remember, they may not have power and may need to unload stuff as well. Prayers to you and yours!
R. I am so sorry! Im glad you all are ok though. PLEASE let me know if there is anything I can do.
You can always go to their websites...I would think that would be where you would be applying anyway. I am so sorry your family has been so effected by this storm. Prayers are with you and your neighborhood.
Glad you and your family/neighbors are ok. What a great attitude you have - what a blessing. I hope you get what you need from the red cross.
Hey There!
disasterassistance.gov has an online application for Disaster support. Shockingly the closest FEMA office to you is in KY. Seriously. Just googled it.
I've been trying to search the Richmond Times Dispatch site and it appears as though your wise politicians are trying to figure out how to accept aid money without going back on what they said about using "borrowed money".
Good luck. See if you can get to the library (if it's open) or to one one of the HS libraries. Richmond City and Henrico County are both re-opening today.
Your landlord should be pretty understanding. Offer to pay him back incrementally over the coming months. People are going to have to be flexible in the next few weeks. From what my aunt and uncle have said (Glen Allen), it's really bad.
We were completely flooded- our access road was literally a river with police barricades for two days. Fortunately, we have underground utilities, so we didn't lose power. Lots of folks in Ulster County still without power, though.
Hang in there. PM if you need anything.
Virginia has not yet been declared a federal disaster area, so FEMA will not have any offices open there until that happens. You'll know when FEMA opens assistance centers - they will distribute flyers and maybe even have representatives going door to door in neighborhoods.
The Red Cross should have assistance to meet immediate needs like food, water, shelter, clothing, and possibly emergency repairs so the house is safe.
I hesitate to even say this - we never lost power and didn't have any damage - just some branches blown down around the neighborhood. I'm just down the road - PM me if there is anything I can do to help!!!
