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Red Cross Shelters Serving Katrina Victims
APWU Web News Article #42-05, Sept. 9, 2005
(09/09/05) The APWU has acquired a list of Red Cross shelters that are providing relief to Hurricane Katrina victims and that may be housing postal employees and their families — the information is by no means complete, and it is likely to change frequently.
APWU members and local and state organizations eager to assist Katrina victims are encouraged to call or visit a site to volunteer or to learn of a shelter’s needs.
We are also asking APWU representatives to visit the sites to help locate postal employees who are still unaccounted for. The representatives are asked to contact the Human Relations Department (202-842-4271) with an update of their site visits.
Employees, regardless of where they are, may contact the USPS at 1-877-477-3273 (TTY: 1-866-833-8777). When there is difficulty getting through, APWU members may also call the Southern Region office at 281-447-5103.
Postal and union officials continue to try to establish the whereabouts of employees and to determine the level of emergency need. We have been working with the USPS Employee Assistance Program to ensure that our members’ needs are being met. Newly found employees should be advised to call the numbers above as well as 800-EAP-4-YOU if they need counseling services or other personal assistance.
This list of shelters was compiled on Sept. 7. As victims are placed into temporary housing, some shelters may be shutting down. We will update the list and try to provide more complete information as it becomes available.
APWU Responds to Hurricane Katrina
(Updated 09/02/05) Parts of Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi have been declared major disaster areas as a result of Hurricane Katrina’s two devastating land strikes, which have left thousands of people homeless, without food, water, and electricity. Many postal workers have been affected.
In response, the APWU is asking union members to make contributions to the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF). In light of the magnitude of the disaster and to avoid a duplication of efforts, all donations received by APWU for hurricane relief efforts will be forwarded to this fund.
Please make checks or money orders payable to PERF and send them to PERF, PO Box 34422, Washington, DC 20043-4422.
People who wish to help to volunteer their time, provide supplies, or offer their home as a temporary haven to Katrina's victims should contact the Red Cross or FEMA. These organizations have indicated that volunteers should not go to the disaster sites on their own and should not send supplies.
Members Housing Members
Efforts currently are underway to find temporary housing for APWU members and other postal employees who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
The APWU Human Relations Department is compiling a list of APWU members and postal workers near the disaster and shelter areas who are willing to open their homes for this purpose. The Human Relations Department will coordinate this effort with the Southern Regional Coordinator Frankie Sanders.
Individuals who are willing to volunteer should call (202) 842-4271. Please be prepared to leave your name, your local, your address, contact information, the number of adults and children you can house and the duration you are willing to provide housing.
Red Cross
The APWU Human Relations Department has compiled the following information to aid our members and their loved ones in efforts to receive assistance.
The Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate disaster-related needs, such as shelter, food, and health and mental health services.
Victims of Katrina should contact their local Red Cross Chapter. A list of local chapters in the affected states is provided. Local chapters also can be found at www.redcross.org or by calling 866-Get–INFO (866-438-4636). Please note that many of these chapters were also impacted by Katrina.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA’s Disaster Program includes up to $26,200 in cash grants per eligible individual or household for housing assistance such as lodging, rental assistance, and home repair, as well as medical, dental, and funeral service expenses and other disaster-related needs.
Affected residents and business owners in the designated counties can begin the disaster-relief application process by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). The toll-free telephone numbers will operate 24 hours, seven days a week, until further notice. FEMA also provides information on how to get help or give help.
Because of the expected high volume of calls, registering online is encouraged. If registering by phone, owners of commercial properties and residents with only minor losses are urged to wait a few days before calling so those whose homes were destroyed or heavily damaged can be served first.
Victims with insurance coverage should contact their insurance company or agent before calling to report losses and, if necessary, to request an advance or partial payment of their settlement.
PERF
The Postal Employees’ Relief Fund provides relief grant assistance to postal employees and retirees who are victims of a natural disaster or home fire. Eligible damage must be sustained to a primary residence; structural damage, content, and vehicle loss are considered in the overall loss. The net loss is calculated after insurance payments and other relief grants are received. The net loss must be at least $3,000 for a victim to be eligible for a PERF grant. Eligibility Criteria and Grant Applications are available at www.postalrelief.com, or by calling 202-408-1869.
USPS Employees Assistance Program
The USPS Employees Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, confidential counseling service which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist postal employees and their family members who have deal with the kind of stress and devastation that Katrina has left in its wake. Call 800-EAP-4YOU (800-327-4968) for help in coping while you try to rebuild your life.
Missing People
The APWU has received several inquiries from postal workers and their families who are looking for loved ones.
Message boards, such as those posted on FEMA's Web page and Craigs List, are posting inquiries and responses. (You can search for names on Craigs List by typing them in the "keywords" box.)
Postal employees affected by Hurricane Katrina are being asked to contact the USPS or APWU, as officials try to establish the whereabouts of workers and to determine the level of emergency need. Employees may contact the USPS at 1-877-477-3273 (TTY: 1-866-833-8777). APWU members may call the Southern Region office at 281-447-5103.
APWU members have responded to the hurricane with an outpouring of offers of support. Thanks to each and every member who has contributed to the relief effort.
