Hurricane Sandy

Those in the areas expected to be hit by Hurricane Sandy, please be safe. Evacuation orders are not suggestions. They are demands by the governing bodies that were elected to keep you safe. Upwards of 50 million people are thought to be in the path of what they are calling a superstorm. If you reside in an area of impact, please know that you could be in danger. Don't make the job of rescue crews harder by stubbornly staying in your home when you can evacuate. There are people who legitimately may not be able to evacuate. Those without phones, televisions, and the Internet may not even know they are in danger. The elderly, the disabled, the homeless- the transportation needs to get them out of harm's way is limited. If you stay when you could have evacuated, then you are taking time away from those that legitimately could not leave and making their chances of rescue and survival that much less.

If you live in the following states, please stay abreast of the situation:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Vermont
• Washington, D. C.
• West Virginia

Many areas are expected to get gale force winds, hail, rain, snow, and flooding. Public buildings are shutting down in preparation of the storm. In many areas, this includes public transit. Power outages are definitely expected across the region. If you are in an area that is expected to be hit but do not need to evacuate, you need to stock up on supplies. Food, batteries for flashlights, candles, water resistant matches, bottled water, blankets, weather/emergency radios, and first aide kits should be on the top of your list. Don't wait until the storm is upon you to get what you need- it could be too late.

Think of the elderly and needy during this time. If you have spare blankets, food, or water, consider making donations at homeless shelters around the region to help with the influx of evacuees. Invite your elderly neighbors to take shelter in your home to wait out the storm. Donate blood at the Red Cross or other donation centers. Bring your outdoor animals inside if possible- the freezing weather will affect them too.

The United States has a broken political system and people can be terrible to each other on any given day. But in times of crisis, this is when the American public really shines. We take care of each other. I lived in Alabama during Hurricane Katrina. I was there in 2010 and 2011 when the tornadoes tore through Alabama and the South. I have seen the unity our people have in natural disasters and it is breathtaking. Please, help take care of each other and stay safe out there folks!

Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS