NYC donation drop-off locations for Puerto Rico disaster relief | UFT

Puerto Rico | Disaster preparedness | Hurricane Relief

September 25, 2017

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sept. 24 announced statewide drop off locations for emergency supplies to help Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
Requested items include batteries, flashlights, portable lanterns, diapers, baby wipes, cases of water and feminine hygiene products. All items must be completely unopened and packaged.
In coordination with this effort, the New York Mets are asking each fan attending games at Citi Field on Sept. 25, 26 and 27 to bring donations for the relief effort to the ball game between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
New Yorkers are encouraged to drop off goods for donation at selected locations between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The local drop-off sites are:

Manhattan

• Jacob K. Javits Center
• Engine 91: 242 E. 111th Street, New York, NY 11220 (East Harlem)
• Engine 95/ Ladder 36: 29 Vermilyea Avenue, New York, NY 10033 (Inwood)
• Engine 28/ Ladder 11: 222 E. 2nd Street, New York, NY 10009 (Lower East Side)

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Libraries from Puerto Rico to Florida Respond to Hurricane Irma | ALA

Disaster planning | Hurricanes | Libraries

by Lisa Peet | September 18, 2017

Downed trees outside the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Coconut Grove Branch after the storm
Photo courtesy of Miami Dade Public Library System

Arriving hard on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, Irma cut a destructive swath through the northeastern Caribbean and Florida Keys. More than $50 billion worth of damage was reported in the United States, as well as 39 fatalities.

Despite Irma’s size and power, Florida libraries had fewer tales of destruction to relate than their counterparts in Texas did after Harvey. While most larger systems reported some leakage and damage to property, delays in opening were mainly due to lack of electricity or running water or exterior obstructions such as fallen trees and debris.

Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency on September 4, and ordered that all public schools and colleges across the state close from Friday, September 8 through Monday, September 11. Thousands of Floridians evacuated their homes on both coasts and headed north—the largest evacuation in the state’s history. Read more...