March is Red Cross Month

The Red Cross has done amazing work related to Hurricane
Sandy spending close to $110 million dollars on relief efforts. More than
15,600 active volunteers worked to help victims. Volunteers assembled ‘Sandy
Kits’ with survival materials. Many blood drives were cancelled because of the
storm so the Red Cross had to put forth an extra effort to make up those
drives. The Red Cross also partnered with the Army National Guard to help out
in shelters in New York. They provided mental health services and meals.

A significant portion of the Jersey shore was flooded out.
When those areas were re-opened, Red Cross was on the scene to provide
assistance. Hopefully now New Jersey residents who do not have flood insurance
will see the need to obtain some. It is extremely important to have even if
they are not in flood-prone area. 25% of flood claims are filed outside a high
risk flood area. They should not wait for an imminent flood warning to obtain
flood insurance. Most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before
coverage begins.