SBA APPROVED MORE THAN $2 BILLION IN DISASTER LOANS TO BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY HURRICANE SANDY

FROM: U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
SBA Hurricane Sandy Loan Approvals Surpass $2 Billion

Application deadlines extended in New York and New Jersey

WASHINGTON –The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $2 billion in disaster loans to 32,500 residents and businesses in states affected by Hurricane Sandy – further expanding SBA’s response to what is already the third largest natural disaster in U.S. history for the agency. This milestone comes as the deadlines to file applications for physical disaster loans are extended in New York (April 13) and New Jersey (May 1).

"Since Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast in October, SBA has worked diligently to approve loan applications and get money into the hands of storm victims as quickly as possible," said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. "We remain committed to helping those individuals and communities affected by Hurricane Sandy rebuild stronger and to providing support for long-term recovery."

After Hurricane Sandy hit, eight states (NY, NJ, CT, RI, MD, VA, WV, NC) and Puerto Rico received federal disaster declarations. As of April 5, more than 30,000 home disaster loans had been approved for a total of $1.8 billion. More than 2,500 business disaster loans have been approved for $260 million.

ENERGY RELIEF FOR VICTIMS OF SUPERSTORM SANDY

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DOD Gets Energy Department Fuel to Aid Superstorm Relief

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2012 - As part of the governmentwide response and recovery effort for Hurricane Sandy, President Barack Obama declared that the superstorm has created a severe energy supply interruption and directed the U.S. Department of Energy to loan the Department of Defense ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, according to a presidential memorandum and a DOE news release issued today.

"Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast on October 29, causing severe damage to the petroleum refining and distribution sector -- including pipelines, refineries, bulk terminals, and ports. Product deliveries already lost, as well as demand increases as retail systems are restored, require that replacement volumes be made available immediately," Obama stated in a presidential memorandum issued today.

"The transfer of ULSD to the Department of Defense and the use and distribution of that fuel has the potential to provide immediate relief to the affected region," Obama continued. "Based on the advice of the Secretary of Energy and on other information on the impact of Hurricane Sandy on supply and distribution channels, I find that a severe energy supply interruption exists and direct the Secretary of Energy to transfer ULSD from the Reserve to the Department of Defense for use in emergency operations and support to the region affected by Hurricane Sandy."

Obama added: "If the Secretary of Energy determines the circumstances leading to this memorandum no longer support continuation of the transfer, he is authorized to cancel that action in whole or in part."

The Defense Logistics Agency will begin drawing down stocks from the heating oil reserve terminal in Groton, Conn., as early as tomorrow. The fuel will be distributed to state, local and federal responders in the New York/New Jersey area, the release said, and will be used to provide additional supplies to ensure continued response and recovery efforts. This includes fuel for emergency equipment and buildings, including electrical generators, water pumps, General Services Administration buildings, trucks and other vehicles.

"Today's announcement is part of the broader federal effort to respond to those impacted by Hurricane Sandy," Energy Department Secretary Dr. Steven Chu stated in today's DOE news release.

"This loan from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve will help ensure state, local and federal responders in the impacted area have access to the diesel fuel they need to continue response and recovery efforts," Chu added.

DLA estimates that it will initially draw down two million gallons of fuel from the reserve, but the Energy Department stands ready to make available additional fuel as needed, according to the DOE release. The Defense Department expects to replenish the fuel to the reserve within 30 days.

The Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve was created in July 2000 as a component of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to respond to emergencies and supply disruptions in the home heating oil market, the DOE news release said. The reserve holds 42 million gallons of ultra-low sulfur diesel, located at terminals in Groton, and Revere, Mass.

This is the first time fuel has been released from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, according to the DOE release.

SANDY LIVED VIOLENTLY AND DIED WEAK AND HATED

FROM:  NASA
GOES-13 Sees Life and Death of Hurricane Sandy

This animation of satellite imagery shows the life of Hurricane Sandy from its development in the Caribbean Sea on Oct. 21, through its track up the U.S. East coast and landfall. The animation continues through Oct. 31 when Sandy had weakened to a remnant low pressure area. Credit: NASA GOES Project

U.S. COAST GUARD AIDS HURRICANE SANDY VICTIMS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Coast Guard Aids Sandy Victims on Eastern Seaboard
By Coast Guard Lt. Stephanie Young
U.S. Coast Guard Compass Blog
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2012 - Coast Guard helicopter crews are busy responding to requests to rescue people who were trapped in their homes, while other Coast Guard members are providing additional response and recovery assistance in the wake of Hurricane Sandy's assault on the nation's Eastern Seaboard.

sent from air stations Atlantic City and Cape Cod to provide search and rescue response. Yesterday, three people -- trapped in their New York boroughs home from the extreme high tides -- were saved by a MH-65T Dolphin aircrew. As the three people were taken to an area hospital, another crew assisted New York Police marine units with nine people in distress.

Despite the hard work of emergency responders, people are still in need. Airboats that are traditionally used for ice rescues in the Great Lakes region were dispatched from the 9th Coast Guard District. These unique boats can operate in shallow water and are able to provide assistance in flooded communities.

Meanwhile, more than a dozen Coast Guardsmen from stations in Ohio and Michigan deployed to the East Coast to support Sandy response operations.

"We are providing crewmembers and assets that are normally used for ice rescue operations and are now going to be used in a completely different environment," said Coast Guard Capt. Jeff Ogden, commander of Sector Detroit. "There are millions of people affected by this storm, and we are ready to assist them in any way we can."

The Coast Guard is coordinating with partners to assess damage in ports and waterways. Maritime transportation system recovery units are in place to coordinate the reopening and survey of local waterways and facilities. Coast Guard crews -- in conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers, local harbor pilots and state and local authorities – are inspecting shoreside facilities for damage.

At sea, buoy positions will be checked to ensure vessels can navigate the shipping channels safely. Crews are in the process of identifying new hazards or areas where shoaling has occurred because of sand disturbed by Sandy. Along with debris and obstructions in the water, several boats are adrift along the entire Eastern Seaboard.

"We are continuing to work closely with our partner agencies to assess damage to our ports and waterways," said Coast Guard Capt. Joseph Vojvodich, commander of Sector Long Island Sound. "Boaters are reminded to stay off the water until the waterways are reopened. If you have a recreational boat or watercraft that has come free from its mooring, please report it to the Coast Guard immediately. This can save valuable search-and-rescue resources from unnecessarily looking for a missing person."

The remnants of Hurricane Sandy continue to pose a danger, and activities on the water should be avoided for the next few days, officials said. The public is advised to stay clear of beaches as currents remain a danger. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents in the wake of storms. Swimmers should stay clear of beaches until local lifeguards and law enforcement officials say the water is safe.

The storm is still powerful as it inches across Pennsylvania. Those still in the storm's path should stay informed and be prepared. As the nation continues to assess the storm's impact on communities along the Atlantic Seaboard, Coast Guard units will respond and remain at the ready.

NASA VIDEO: SPACE VIEW OF HURRICANE SANDY

FROM: NASA