In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the clean-up and recovery process may leave many property owners wondering where to go for financial assistance to recover from damages suffered in the storm.  Some aid may be available to qualified property owners through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Damage assessment depends upon homeowners and other property owners reporting significant damage and storm related impacts to their local city or county Emergency Management Agency.  The numbers to call to report storm related damage, and the staffing hours are:

In Wilmington – 302-576-CITY (2489)     Number staffed Mon.-Fri.  9am-5pm

In New Castle County – 302-395-5555     Number staffed Mon.-Fri.  8am-4pm

In Kent County – 302-735-3465                Number staffed 24/7

In Sussex County – 302-856-7366             Number staffed 24/7

How should homeowners determine whether to call?  If significant damage to the home caused the resident to move out or if they will have to find other housing while repair work is performed, they should call their city or county Emergency Management Agency at the appropriate number listed.  If the residence is a mobile home and water reached floor level, owners should also call.

Business owners whose business had physical or economic losses that are not covered by private insurance should call their county Emergency Management Agency.

If in doubt, call the proper city or county Emergency Management Agency.  Property owners who fail to call and make a claim could miss an opportunity for financial assistance.

Dover – Delaware law enforcement officers statewide arrested 29 individuals for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drugs over Halloween Weekend (Oct 26-27). The arrests were the result of two sobriety checkpoints.  This brings the total of DUI arrests under the 2012 Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign to 242.    There have been over 4,000 DUI arrests made statewide since January.

In addition to the 29 DUI arrests, officers cited 4 minors for underage drinking violations, apprehended 5 wanted individuals, made 5 drug arrests, 2 felony arrests, issued 8 seat belt citations, 2 child restraint citations, and 75 citations for various other traffic violations.

One sobriety checkpoint is scheduled to occur the first weekend of November.  They are as follows:

Friday November 2nd      Wilmington (NcCo DUI Task Force)- checkpoint

Checkpoint Strikeforce is a regional sobriety checkpoint campaign aimed at arresting DUI offenders, and using high visibility enforcement to deter those who would otherwise choose to drink and drive.  The campaign, a six month long effort running through New Year’s Eve, involves setting up weekly DUI checkpoints statewide.

For more information on Checkpoint Strikeforce visit www.DUIRealtime.com or www.ohs.delaware.gov and follow regular campaign updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe and Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.

The following Red Cross shelters will open at noon:

Sussex County

• Cape Henlopen High School, 1250 Kings Highway, Lewes, pet friendly, A Medical Shelter
• Milford Middle School, 612 Lakeview Ave., Milford, pet friendly
• **Indian River High School, 29772 Armory Road, Dagsboro  (NO PETS)**

Kent County

• Dover High School, 1 Patrick Lynn Drive, Dover, pet friendly
• Smyrna Middle School, 700 Duck Creek Parkway, pet friendly

New Castle County/Wilmington

• William Penn High School, 713 E. Basin Rd., New Castle, pet friendly, A Medical Shelter
• Middletown High School, 120 Silver Lake Rd., pet friendly

Those who plan to relocate to Red Cross shelters during the storm are reminded to bring personal supplies that cannot be provided at the shelter. Many of these supplies are necessary for individual use and some are items that will make the stay more comfortable.

Some items are as follows:

Bedding – Everyone occupying a shelter must bring their own sheets, blankets and pillows. Those who have camping cots or inflatable mattresses are encouraged to bring them since growing shelter populations will strain the cot supply.

Special needs foods, snacks – Shelter occupants who have special dietary needs must supply those foods. Shelters will provide cooked meals, but no prescriptive foods. Those who might want between meals snacks are encouraged to bring a supply. Cereals, energy bars, nuts and fruit are especially good for families with children.

Important documents – Copies of medical records, insurance information, deeds or leases, birth certificates and utility bills showing address are important to have on hand. The shelter will not require them, but no one knows what the status of their home will be following the storm and having such documents can be very helpful.

Personal hygiene items – Toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, soaps, lotions must be provided by individuals.

Medications – All medications used by those coming to shelters must be provided by the individual. People should contact their medical provider and pharmacist if they have questions or needs related to prescriptions.

Games, books, toys to occupy children – It is very important for families to bring items that can entertain or even provide a calming effect for children.  Everyone in a shelter must remember that the space will be cramped and noise should be kept at a minimum. Loud radios, CD players and DVD players are not welcome and should not be used in close proximity to others.

When pets are brought to a shelter, the owners should provide the following:

• Medical records, vaccination history, and medications
• Current photographs
• Veterinarian phone number
• Documentation of any behavior problems
• Alternate contact information
• First aid kit
• Leashes, collars, or harnesses (extra sturdy), and muzzle (if necessary) with identification tags
• A pet carrier for each animal
• Food and water bowls, litter pan for cats
• Food and water for at least 7 days, can opener
• Toys, blanket

The following Red Cross shelters will open noon Sunday:

Sussex County

• Cape Henlopen High School, 1250 Kings Highway, Lewes, pet friendly
• Milford Middle School, 612 Lakeview Ave., Milford, pet friendly
• **Indian River High School, 29772 Armory Road, Dagsboro  (NO PETS)**

Kent County

• Dover High School, 1 Patrick Lynn Drive, Dover, pet friendly
• Smyrna Middle School, 700 Duck Creek Parkway, pet friendly

New Castle County/Wilmington

• William Penn High School, 713 E. Basin Rd., New Castle, pet friendly
• Middletown High School, 120 Silver Lake Rd., pet friendly

Dover – Delaware State Police in preparation for Hurricane Sandy have initiated operational plans and have placed all Troopers on a standby alert status ready to respond. Troopers will be prepositioned and deployed to the areas where they will be needed based on the final projected path of the Hurricane.

Additional Troopers will supplement operations to assist with the mandatory evacuations and providing additional patrols to protect property that has been evacuated. Troopers will also be providing security to the designated statewide shelters.

Troopers will be assisted by our Delaware National Guard partners and will have specialized National Guard vehicles and personnel prepositioned throughout the State to provide better access to areas that would be impassable by other means.

The Delaware State Police Aviation Section and Delaware State Police Maritime Unit will be ready to respond to conduct post hurricane search and rescue operations and assist in recovery efforts.

Troopers strongly encourage motorists to refrain from driving during this hurricane event due to the potential of high winds, heavy rain, limited visibility, and flooding, which make driving conditions treacherous.

The Delaware State Police would like to remind the public to utilize 911 only during true emergencies that would require a response by a public safety agency. Information pertaining to Hurricane Sandy preparedness and related information can be obtained by contacting the Delaware Helpline at 800-464-4357. Information is also available via internet at delaware.gov