NORA sets up Hurricane Sandy Recovery website

Hurricane Sandy hit the core of the oilheating market and many oilheating homes were destroyed or damaged. Additionally, many companies have also sustained damage and while working on their own recovery, are trying to restore heat to their customers.

It is important that the recovery goes as smoothly as possible and that loyal heating oil customers are brought back to a normal existence as quickly as possible. The brunt of the effort will be borne by the service personnel in the field and the companies in the ravaged areas. However, we hope that we can make a contribution to that effort. Part of that effort will involve having a strong communications system to ensure that information is shared, that resources go to the right area and that cooperation is facilitated. To that end, we are attempting to facilitate communication by bringing three new resources forward.

First, we have established a website oilheatingstorm.com which will be the central clearinghouse for information and will be organized and useful to the industry at large.

Second, we have established a Facebook page also named oilheatingstorm where conversations on the recovery and how resources can be allocated will occur. We invite you to post and use the Facebook page, and we will move information to the webpage so that it will be organized and useful.

Third, a twitter account has also been set-up so we can distribute notices of new information. The twitter account is also named “oilheatingstorm.” Our website will begin with the following categories:

Appliances: A recovery of this magnitude may require both more equipment and quicker delivery. To accommodate this, we are publishing surveys to understand whether any shortages in equipment are occurring, and a step by step guide on how to assess and repair or replace equipment.

Insurance: As the recovery moves forward there will be a number of questions of who pays. We have developed a frequently asked questions and answers that will be published.

Oilheat Cares: This charity has helped many customers replace equipment. To facilitate its use the organization is dedicating all funds raised to the Hurricane Sandy relief, and a donation section is on the webpage. Additionally, we have placed applications for assistance on the webpage.

Government: Each of the states and the federal government will be assisting their citizens. Information on that assistance and how efforts at recovery will be facilitated will be placed here.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA will have billions of dollars to spend on the recovery. We will be placing information here as it is received.

Volunteer: Undoubtedly resources in affected areas will be stressed. We have set this section up to provide companies and individuals an opportunity to help with the recovery.

We encourage all of you to use www.oilheatingstorm.com, Facebook and Twitter so we can have an active resource for the industry.