Remembering "Snowvember", Five Years Later

A Lackawanna house buried in snow following
Snowvember 2014

What were you doing five years ago? If you were in Western New York in November 2014, particularly South Buffalo and the Southtowns, you'll never forget it. 

An unprecedented Lake Effect Snowstorm buried parts of WNY under as much as eight feet of snow. Travel bans and road closures left hundreds of motorists stranded, while thousands more were trapped in their homes. Many residents had to be evacuated over concerns their home might collapse under the weight of all that snow.

Thanks to the year-round support of our generous donors, the Red Cross was able to immediately provide hope, help, and comfort to the WNY community. Between November 18 and November 28, a workforce of 175 people - 80% of them volunteers - operated or supported 19 different shelters across the Region, providing a warm place to spend the night for 603 people. Working with community partners such as the Salvation Army, the Red Cross served 6,696 meals and snacks to families and individuals in need, with four Emergency Response Vehicles taking support directly to areas hardest hit by the storm. Specially trained volunteers provided 1,019 health and mental health contacts, and 3,939 relief items, including cleanup and personal comfort kits, were distributed to families affected by the winter storm.

Joy Lawrence was still smiling despite his big rig getting
stranded in the snow. He enjoyed his "little adventure"
staying at a Red Cross shelter in Elma, NY

“I’m really enjoying this. I call it my little adventure!” Truck driver Joy Lawrence, from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, was able to smile despite having been stranded and needing to be brought to the Red Cross shelter at Iroquois Middle School in Elma by two police officers. “Wow, Red Cross, you guys are awesome. Really helpful, really kind, really understanding. They're willing to help you in every way. Food, shelter, nursing. Sometimes it's hard for me to explain. I'm 100% satisfied with your services.”

NATIONAL NETWORK HELPS MAINTAIN A SAFE BLOOD SUPPLY 

The unprecedented snowfall forced 29 blood drives to be cancelled across WNY, resulting in 910 units going uncollected. When severe weather disrupts blood collections throughout the area, the Red Cross is able to provide blood from other blood regions to help local hospitals. Despite the conditions, volunteer drivers were able to deliver this vital resource to area hospitals so they could continue to meet patient needs.

“I was driving a Red Cross vehicle from the Blood Processing Center in West Henrietta to Mercy Hospital when Harlem Road when the National Guard said the road was impassible,” said volunteer driver Dona Bronkie. “After calling the hospital and my supervisor, we arranged to drop off the blood the Catholic Health building downtown and they were able to make sure it got to the hospital and patients in need.”

PREPARING FOR THE NEXT STORM

Nationally, the Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes. To be ready to respond 24/7, the Red Cross maintains a variety of resources, equipment, and volunteers to provide help after disasters. Just as the Red Cross prepares for disasters, it’s also important for people to prepare by taking three simple steps:

The Red Cross operated or
supported 19 shelters, including
this one at the Depew Senior Center

1. Get a Kit: Emergency kits should include food, water, and other basic supplies to last three days for each family member.
2. Make a Plan: Plan what to in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and have to evacuate
3. Be Informed: Learn which emergency may occur where you live, work, and play, and how to respond as quickly as possible. Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information

In partnership with New York State, the Red Cross is pleased to offer free Citizen Preparedness Corps training across the state. The training provides information about common types of natural and man-made disasters, and teaches effective ways to prepare for, respond to and recover from them as an individual, family and community. Click here to request volunteers to provide this training at your school, group, or other organization.

Download the free Red Cross Emergency App to get lifesaving preparedness information, real-time weather alerts, and more, in the palm of your hand. Search “American Red Cross” in the app store or go to www.redcross.org/apps.

DONATE BLOOD

NY-Penn Blood Services currently collects an estimated 750 units daily to support approximately 90 hospitals in New York and ten counties in Pennsylvania. The Red Cross strives to meet local hospital needs first, and then through our national inventory management system, we can move products throughout our area and across the country, where there is a need.

Currently the Red Cross has a critical need for all blood types and platelet donations. Schedule an appointment today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The scene outside Iroquois Middle School in Elma
as volunteers opened a shelter for those affected by
Snowvember 2014

DONATE TO DISASTER RELIEF

You can help people affected by disasters like winter storms and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. 

You can also donate your time and talent as a Red Cross volunteer. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to fill out an online application and start your own Red Cross story.

"Gimmie Shelter"? Our volunteers can do that!

"Oh, a storm is threatnin'

Photo courtesy buffalobills.com

My very life today.
If I don't get some shelter
Oh, I'm gonna fade away."
-The Rolling Stones

The Ralph will be rocking Saturday, and from the sound of things, it seems like all of Western and Central New York will be at the Stadium to see "the worlds greatest rock and roll band" live. In one of The Rolling Stones best-known songs, Mick Jagger pleads with listeners to "Gimmie Shelter". Well, Mick, that's something our volunteers do for their neighbors in need each and every day.

Just last week, when flash floods washed through parts of Syracuse, our volunteers set up a shelter at the Westcott Community Center in the early morning hours, before later moving to St. Lucy's Church, ensuring evacuated residents had a safe, warm place to stay. In November, when the area around Ralph Wilson Stadium was covered in as much as eight feet of snow, Red Cross volunteers operated or supported 19 different shelters, providing over 600 overnight stays for travelers stranded by Thruway and other road closures.

This is probably not what Mick Jagger had in mind, but
our volunteers operated or supported 19 shelters during
"Snowvember 2014"

It's not always a storm that forces someone to need shelter. An average of three times a day across the Western and Central New York Region, a family is forced from their home after a fire. Our volunteers are there then too, offering a place to stay, food, clothing and support, as they did for eight people who lost everything after an Elmira fire Thursday.

So whether it's because "a storm was threatnin'" or "a fire was sweepin'", the Red Cross volunteers are always ready to "Gimmie Shelter", even while thousands of us will be listening to the Stones sing one of my all-time favorite songs live.

Do you want to help answer Mick's call? Learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer on our website.

We know how you feel, East Coasters!

Hopefully, things won't be as bad for our East Coast neighbors
as they were for many Western New Yorkers in November

Unless you've been under a rock the past 24 hours or so, you know the East Coast is bracing for what they're calling a "potentially historic" blizzard over the next 24-48 hours. This storm is expected to largely miss our Region, and after November 2014 the people of Western New York may be having a hard time thinking of two feet of snow as "historic". But as we learned all too well, road closures and travel bans can leave people stranded in their homes or cars, and this storm has the potential to affect millions of people. 

While our volunteers standby to return the favor and help our downstate and East Coast neighbors as they helped us last November, we need to remember that winter is not over. Our turn could be coming again sooner than you think, and the time to prepare is now! Think about how much these simple steps could have helped your family get through "Snowvember": 

• Assemble an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Weather conditions and travel bans may force your family to shelter-in-place at your home. Make sure your kit includes at least three days water and non-perishable food, as well as essential medications. Additionally, make sure you have a first aid kit and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries in your home in the event of a power outage.

• Keep an Emergency Preparedness Kit in your Car: Remember, many people thought they could make it to their destination and ended up stranded in their car for hours. Make sure your car preparedness kit includes high-protein snacks and water, as well as a warm coat, hat, mittens or gloves, and water-resistant boots, along with extra blankets and extra warm clothing for each family member.

Click here for 15 minutes that can help your family stay safe!

Want more tips on how to help prepare your family for emergencies such as a blizzard? Take 15 minutes and take New York State's free, online Citizen Preparedness Corps training (choose "referral from the American Red Cross" on the drop-down menu). We can also send a trained instructor to provide this potentially life-saving information in-person at your school, business or organization. Just contact Preparedness Specialist Veronica Chiesi Brown and she'll hook you up. Remember, this storm may be missing us, but that means this is a great time to gear up for the next blast!

Make Preparedness Your Holiday Gift and Resolution!

Coming off a large-scale disaster like Western New York's recent #WinterStormKnife, this may be hard to believe. But the Red Cross responded to more house fires this year than any other type of disaster. Combined.

In the past week, the Central New York Chapter has provided assistance to 46 people who have been displaced from theirhomes by fires. In the past 24 hours, the Greater Rochester Chapter has responded to three separate fires, helping ten people. Yesterday afternoon, I joined Disaster Action Team volunteer Dennis as we assisted two people after a fire in Buffalo. While there was no media coverage like we saw during "Snowvember", all you had to do was look up at the sky where their roof was before the fire to realize this was truly a disaster for these people, especially coming so close to the holidays.

Between January 1 and December 1, 2014, the Red Cross provided food, clothing, shelter, comfort and hope to 3,381 people in Western and Central New York who had nowhere else to turn after a house fire. Tragically, we have also had 34 fire-related deaths in 2014. 

Disaster Action Team volunteer Dennis at a fire on
Bissell in Buffalo December 22

The Red Cross has launched a campaign to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries nationwide by 25 percent over the next five years. We are asking every household to take two simple steps: check your existing smoke alarms, and practice fire drills at home.

Don't have a smoke alarm? Part of the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign is to work with fire departments and community groups nationwide to install smoke alarms. Call (585) 241-4405 for more information about how you could have a free smoke alarm installed in your home!

http://prepare.ny.gov/online-citizen-preparedness-training

As we prepared to flip the calendar to 2015, why not resolve to make your family better prepared for emergencies, including house fires? The Red Cross has also partnered with New York State to offer the Citizen Preparedness Corps program. In just 15 minutes, this online course will give you the knowledge and tools to prepare for disasters (just make sure you choose "Red Cross" from the referral dropdown menu!). You can also schedule a free, in-person Prepare, Respond, Recover: What to do When Disaster Strikes presentation at your school, business or organization. A trained representative will present the one-hour program, providing a comprehensive overview on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural and man-made disasters.

As if making your loved ones safer isn't enough of a holiday gift, all Western & Central NY Region in-person Citizen Preparedness Corps class registrants before March 31 will be entered to win one of two FREE generators! For more information on the Home Fire Preparedness campaign, Citizen Preparedness Corps, and how you could get a free smoke alarm or win a free generator, contact Individual and Community Preparedness Specialist Veronica Chiesi Brown at (585) 241-4405.

Let's work together to make 2015 Western and Central New York's safest year yet. That would truly be a gift that keeps on giving!

Digging out, then helping out

"I'm sore!" That's what Red Cross volunteer Mike Koscielny told me when I asked him how he was doing today. Why, you ask?

Mike joined the lake effect snow relief operation on Saturday after digging himself out of his Lancaster home.

"We had almost five feet," Mike said. "Shoveled for seven hours on Tuesday, then just tried to stay on top of it."

The backyard at Mike Koscielny's Lancaster home

Mike also helped neighbors shovel and fix their snow blowers as they broke down trying to move this unprecedented snowfall. ("Mine is being held together with tape and glue."). Furnaces were also an issue, icing up because of the amount of snow.

"Even walking was ridiculous," he says. "You were sinking down to your waist, like a quicksand of snow."

Despite it all, Mike said his neighbors have kept an optimistic attitude. For the most part.

"A couple said, 'that's it. I'm moving!' But your house will still be there when the snow melts. After a hurricane, it might not be."

After putting in all this effort to dig himself and his neighbors, you might think Mike would want to take a rest. But after his street was just plowed yesterday, Mike was here at our Clement Mansion headquarters first thing this morning, on the job working Disaster Services Technology and Staffing.

"Have to help everybody else," he says. "I'm done helping family and friends, everyone is safe. Now it's time to move on to helping other people."

You Saved My Life!

“I haven’t had sleep in 24 hours!”

Jeanette Jay with Winging It TV's Matt Snyder at
Iroquois Middle School shelter

Jeanette Jay had been evacuated from her home in the French Quarter Mobile Park in West Seneca

Thursday evening when of the snow from the lake effect storm threatened to collapse her roof.

“There was 12 feet of snow in my driveway,” Jay said. “I left my pets behind, I had to make a decision. I’m lucky to be here.”

The emergency officials that rescued Jay bused her and almost 30 of her neighbors to the Red Cross shelter at Iroquois Middle School in Elma.

“The treatment has been out of this world,” Jay said of the volunteers who provided hot meals, a place to rest, and emotional support at the shelter. “The facilities are the best they could’ve taken people to.”

This picture gives you an idea of how much snow has
piled up on people's roofs

Jay actually came to Western New York after her Pennsylvania home was destroyed by fire years ago. However, she hadn’t needed Red Cross services until this storm, and she is grateful for all the help she's received.

“You saved my life,” she said.

65 people spent Friday night in Red Cross shelters at the Iroquois Middle School, 211 Girdle Road in Elma, and Goodell Hall, 12847 Erie Street in Irving. Volunteers continue to operate those shelters as preparations are being made for potential flooding in the next few days. Please take some time to prepare yourself and your family for possible flooding, and download the FREE Red Cross Flood App for real-time alerts and additional safety tips.

"It's My Little Adventure"

Joy Lawrence of Brampton, ONT

"I'm really enjoying this. I call it my little adventure!"

That's not exactly what you'd expect to hear from a trucker stranded by an unprecedented lake effect snowstorm. Joy Lawrence was trying to get his rig back to Brampton, Ontario, Canada Tuesday when the snow started falling.

"Almost made it," Lawrence said Thursday from the Red Cross shelter at Iroquois Middle School in Elma. "Got stuck at 2:30, slept in my truck. I'd never gotten stranded, never seen snow like this before."

After getting some help digging out his rig, two police officers led Lawrence to the Jamison Road fire hall. The next day, he and others were transferred to the larger shelter at Iroquois Middle, where volunteers were able to provide them with additional services including showers.

"Wow, Red Cross, you guys are awesome," Lawrence said. Really helpful, really kind, really understanding. They're willing to help you in every way. Food, shelter, nursing. Sometimes it's hard for me to explain. I'm 100% satisfied with your services.

The snow continued to fall outside our shelter at
Iroquois Middle School in Elma Thursday afternoon

Despite being stranded in a foreign country, Joy's spirit throughout his ordeal really lived up to his first name.

"I've met some really lovely people," he said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Joy was one of 35 Canadians staying in Red Cross shelters in WNY. There were also 22 people from China, 3 from Brazil, and one each from Australia, India and the Philippines, making this a truly international operation.

"The American Red Cross is one of the best in the world," said Lawrence before returning home.

Red Cross Response to Lake Effect Snow Continues

The American Red Cross continues to operate and support multiple shelters across Western New York in response to the ongoing lake effect snow event. Over 200 people spent Tuesday evening in shelters, and volunteers are currently providing food, water, blankets and additional support at the following locations:

·         Alexander Fireman’s Recreation Hall
10708 Alexander Road, Alexander

·         Amherst Community Center
4255 Harlem Road, Amherst

·         Buffalo Fire Department
(supporting with 50 cots, blankets and comfort kits)

·         Cheektowaga Senior Center (supporting with blankets only)
3349 Broadway, Cheektowaga

·         Depew Senior Center
85 Manitou Street, Depew

·         Lackawanna Senior Center (limited access-attempting to support)
234 Martin Road, Lackawanna

·         Lancaster Fire Department (supporting with food)
525 Pavement Road, Lancaster

·         Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance Corp
(supporting with 30 cots and 40 blankets)

·         Orchard Park Presbyterian Church
4369 South Buffalo Street, Orchard Park

·         Ripley Fire Hall
11 South State Street, Ripley

In addition to thanking our volunteers who continue to donate their time and talents, the Red Cross wishes to thank Domino’s Pizza, Panera Bread, Tim Hortons and Wegmans for their generous donations to support these shelters, as well as Tops Markets for their support.

With additional lake effect snow warnings in effect for much of the area, Red Cross staff and volunteers remain in contact with emergency officials from across Western New York and are ready to respond as needed.

The Red Cross urges everyone to heed travel warnings and stay off the roads if possible. Residents should ensure that furnace vents are clear of snow in order to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Should residents lose power, don’t use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices in any enclosed area. Locate units away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Additional winter storm safety tips are available at www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/winter-storm. 

Red Cross Opening or Supporting Additional Storm Shelters Across WNY

The American Red Cross is opening or supporting partner shelters across Western New York in response to the ongoing lake effect snow event. Volunteers will have food, water, blankets, cots and additional support available at the following locations:

·         Alexander Fireman’s Recreation Hall
10708 Alexander Road, Alexander

·         Cheektowaga Senior Center (providing blankets only)
3349 Broadway, Cheektowaga

·         Depew Senior Center
85 Manitou Street, Depew

·         Fredonia High School
425 East Main Road, Fredonia

·         Lackawanna Senior Center
234 Martin Road, Lackawanna

·         Lancaster Fire Department (providing food only)
525 Pavement Road, Lancaster

·         Orchard Park Fire District
30 School Street, Orchard Park

·         Ripley Fire Hall
11 South State Street, Ripley

As this lake event snow event continues, Red Cross staff and volunteers remain in contact with emergency officials from across Western New York and are ready to respond as needed. 

The Red Cross urges everyone to heed travel warnings and stay off the roads if possible. Additional winter storm safety tips are available at www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/winter-storm. 

Volunteers also responded to two separate fires in Monroe County on Monday, November 17, providing immediate emergency assistance to four people. Our Disaster Action Team volunteers provided lodging for one survivor after a fire on Creekview Drive in Chili. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy, the 30^th fire-related death in the 17-county Western New York/Finger Lakes Region in 2014. Our volunteers also provided food and lodging for two adults and a child after a fire on Boughton Hill Road in Mendon.

The American Red Cross, Western New York Chapter provides an average of just over $1,000 in direct financial assistance when responding to a single family house fire affecting a family of four. Anyone wishing to help people affected by fires, winter storms or other disasters is asked to consider donating to the Disaster Relief Fund by calling 1-800-REDCROSS, visiting www.redcross.org, or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to charge a $10 donation to their cell phone bill.