United Way Of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey

2-1-1

2-1-1 is a free, easy-to-remember phone number that connects people with important health and human services in their communities.

Help is available by phone seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by dialing 2-1-1 or 866-964-7922 and 24 hours a day by visiting www.211sepa.org.

Callers can connect to:

Basic Human Needs Resources: food banks, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance

Physical and Mental Health Resources: crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling

Employment Supports: financial assistance, job training and education programs

Support for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities: Meals on Wheels, home health care, transportation, homemaker services

Support for Children, Youth and Families: childcare, after school programs, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services

Regional disaster preparation and response organizations

Parts Of Atlantic City Boardwalk Collapse, Water Rushes In

Atlantic City (NJ) – The boardwalk in a rainy day (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hours before a strenthening Hurricane Sandy was set to strike, Atlantic City was already getting battered so badly that chunks of the boardwalk were being ripped away by the strong surge.

Some residents who had not evacuated or sought out a shelter were beginning to panic.  Major streets were flooded.  Early on, a section of boardwalk already in disrepair gave way.  But other sections followed.

An 80 foot section of the Boardwalk at Atlantic Avenue and New Hampshire Avenue in Atlantic City was destroyed by the pounding surf.  All that remained was a pile of wood and rubble, according to an Atlantic City Public Works employee.

Most of the damage early on was toward the inlet. By 11 a.m., waves were seen crashing over the boardwalk, with big sections gone missing.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20121029_Part_of_famed_A_C__Boardwalk_on_verge_of_collapse.html

Berks County Likely To Be Among Hardest-Hit Inland Areas

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

High winds and heavy rains leading to power outages and flooding are expected to slam Berks County today as residents endure the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy.

Berks will likely be among the hardest-hit inland areas, and officials urged residents to prepare for the worst.

“This storm has not been overhyped,” Berks County Commissioner Christian Y. Leinbach said today.  “It will have significant impact.”

Leinbach said residents should have up to three days of food and supplies should there be widespread power outages.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=423954

Brush Fire Rages At French Creek State Park

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Firefighters from several Berks and northern Chester County companies battled wind-whipped flames well into the night. The fire was first reported about noon near Route 345 and Hopewell Street in Union Township, just south of Birdsboro.

Exhausted crews had to leave to get some rest knowing that it will take at least one more day to put out all of the flames, which have spread into North Coventry Township in Chester, a county communications center supervisor said.

Residents were evacuated from homes in the area. The American Red Cross, Berks County Chapter, and the Berks County Department of Emergency Services set up a shelter at the Immaculate Conception Church social hall in Union Township. Food and beverages were available at the shelter, and the Berks sheriff’s department was providing security.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=378727