The high winds and heavy rains normally associated with severe storms were very much in evidence as Hurricane Sandy slammed into the East Coast Monday. But this storm was singular for its size.

The 1,000-mile-wide hurricane made its presence felt over the entire Eastern half of the country. From the Outer Banks of North Carolina to Chicago, wind, rain and even snow affected more than 60 million residents, causing massive power outages, flooding neighborhoods, blocking major highways and shutting down government and public transportation.

Now, the recovery process is beginning, and PMG Pat Donahoe says USPS will play an important role in returning the lives of affected residents and businesses back to normal. “Our customers are counting on us to help them resume their daily lives,” he said. “Seeing your carrier is often the first sign that life is getting back to normal.”

The Postal Service monitored Sandy’s progress from a variety of emergency operations centers throughout Capital Metro, Eastern and Northeastern areas. Generators were dispatched to key locations. Contingency plans were made, and Inspection Service employees were in place to secure facilities closed ahead of the storm.

Carriers did their best to deliver as much mail as possible in advance of the storm, consistent with safety guidelines. “We’ll always make sure our employees aren’t in harm’s way while performing their duties,” said Capital Metro Area VP David Fields. “The safety of our employees is our top priority.”

Sandy made landfall in Southern New Jersey Monday evening. But the storm had been lashing the Eastern seaboard and areas inland for many hours before that, with winds and sweeping bands of rain loosening trees and debris from the Outer Banks to the Northeast. As it moved inland, Sandy was blamed for heavy flooding and wind-whipped fires in New Jersey and New York City. Eighty percent of Long Island homes and businesses were without power.

In Atlantic City, NJ, 26 Post Offices were closed. So were offices in — among other major metropolitan areas — Greensboro, NC, Richmond, VA, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Offices and plants in Connecticut, Long Island and Boston were also affected. And at least a foot of snow brought postal operations to a temporary halt in areas of Western Maryland, North Carolina and West Virginia.

Northeast Area has established a telephone number — 866-877-7666 — for displaced employees to use. Employees also should use the Employee Emergency Hotline — 888-363-7462 — for the latest information on facilities in their areas.

Flooding

As of Wednesday morning, flooding was still a concern in many areas affected by the storm. USPS is advising employees to understand the risks of flooding. For information, contact local National Weather Service offices, Red Cross chapters, or local emergency management agencies. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

In addition, USPS was offering the following advice to employees as they continue the recovery process:

• When a flood or flash flood warning is issued, head for higher ground.
• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off your feet.
• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

Electrical Hazards

• Don’t touch downed power lines or any object, particularly water, that is in contact with power lines.
• Treat all downed power lines as energized until you are certain that the lines no longer carry current.
• When clearing debris, be aware of overhead and underground lines. Extreme caution is necessary when moving ladders and other equipment near overhead power lines to avoid contact with them.
• If you suspect damage to an electrical system, possibly caused by wiring that has been under water; burning insulation, frayed wires, or if you see sparks, turn off the electrical system in the building and follow lockout-tagout procedures before beginning work. Don’t restore power until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician.
• When using a generator, be sure that the main circuit breaker is off and locked out prior to starting. This will prevent inadvertent energizing of power lines and help protect utility line workers from possible electrocution.
• Be aware that de-energized power lines may become energized by a secondary power source such as a portable backup generator.
• Any electrical equipment, including extension cords used in wet environments, must be certified and labeled for use in wet locations and must be undamaged. Be sure that all connections are away from water.
• All cord-connected, electrically operated tools and equipment must be grounded or double insulated.
• Portable ground-fault circuit interrupters must be used at all wet locations and are available at hardware stores.

Fire Protection

• Immediately evacuate any building that has a gas leak until the source of the leak is controlled and the area ventilated.
• Be sure an adequate number of fire extinguishers are available; re-evaluate the fire evacuation plan.
• Be sure all fire exits are clear of debris and sand bags.

For more information on post-hurricane recovery, visit the CDC website.

Facilities cleanup

All building-related damage resulting from Hurricane Sandy should be reported using the appropriate facilities response line. Employees who can efficiently help dispatch contractors and who also can track remediation progress are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Response line numbers are:

• Capital Metro/Eastern: 866-350-3801
• Northeast: 866-298-8910; 866-331-1144
• Southern: 866-622-2393
• Great Lakes: 866-334-5376

Employee Assistance Program

Hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes cause more than physical damage — they disrupt the lives of everyone affected by them. The USPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to help employees or members of their families deal with these disruptions. For information or assistance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call 800-EAP-4-YOU, (800-327-4968). TTY assistance is available at 877-492-7341. Or, go to the EAP website.

Postal Employees’ Relief Fund

The Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF) offers assistance to active and retired employees affected by natural disasters. Employees or retirees who are victims of a natural disaster and have experienced a significant monetary loss after insurance and other relief assistance should review PERF eligibility criteria and mail a completed application with supporting documentation to:

Postal Employees’ Relief Fund
PO Box 7630
Woodbridge, VA 22195-7630