Hurricane Sandy

[Orchid]

We hope and pray that our members and friends living at the East
Coast of the USA are well and safe during this hurricane storm !

Hanuman and Ton

[richardhopkins4]

I just got the news about New York, let us all put our differences
aside and spare a thought/prayer for those in the path of the storm.

May you all be safe.
Richard

[john20]

Thanks from the East Coast USA. I am deployed with the Red Cross to
provide sheltering for citizens displaced from their homes by the
storm.

John

[Jeffrey_Herman]

Hello everyone,

Sandy is a huge hurricane. If you know a metalsmith whose livelihood
has been adversely affected, please visit our Metalsmiths Emergency
Assistance page here: http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep7zol

Be safe,

Jeffrey Herman, Founder & Executive Director
Society of American Silversmiths
silversmithing.com

[L.Bialac-Jehle]

Thanks from the East Coast USA. I am deployed with the Red Cross
to provide sheltering for citizens displaced from their homes by
the storm. 

Hey John,

I may end up there soon. I was also called up for deployment by the
ARC,

-Lisa

[arands1]

I join those who are hoping and praying that our Orchid friends on
the east coast will be safe from the fury of hurricane

Sandy. Alma

[Judy_in_Kansas]

May the damage and loss be limited and recovery be rapid.

Judy in Kansas

[Andy_Kroungold]

As well I do… I hope everyone is safe and all the folks at Stuller
have you in are prayers…

Andy “The Tool Guy” Kroungold

Stuller, Inc.

[richardhopkins4]

Just wondering how many jewellers/craftspeople/schools have had
their workshops trashed?

Is there some way to set these people back up in workshops?

From what I have seen of Sandy that may be the last thing on victims
minds right now.

But if I had just lost everything, it would be good to know that in
the future I would get some help to get back to the bench. Nothing
fancy just the basics.

If the insurance companies are as devious in the US as they are in
Australia, having an insurance policy does not mean you will get paid
anytime soon, if at all.

So it is the little people who will be worst hurt.

Orchid sponsor donations? A lottery?

Any ideas?

We are all thinking of you and hope you can get over this.
Richard

[Renaissancewiz]

If the insurance companies are as devious in the US as they are in
Australia, having an insurance policy does not mean you will get
paid anytime soon, if at all. 

You’re right Richard. The insurance companies will cover wind damage
only, and unless you have a separate flood policy you’re out of luck
with water damage. In addition to that, if you’re in a hurricane zone
the deductibles are so high that unless you have catastrophic damage
it’s hardly worthwhile to make a claim.

That’s been my experience after living in coastal Florida for many
years. The insurance companies increased their premiums exponentially
while they lowered their coverage. They made billions, and were a
very large part of the real estate problems there.

I agree that we should do what we can to help those in the wake of
Sandy to get back on their feet.

[Chuck_Flanagan1]

Everyone needs to check their policy. Sometimes in the fine print it
will say that your deductible during an emergency might be as high as
10,000 or more, even on your car policy. We have a lot of wildfires
and then when the rains come we have mudslides. I have friends who
had 500 ded. on their car and in fine print, the ded. went to 10,000.

[Gary_strickland1]

Thank you, Alma. This is one NYer who was incredibly lucky enough to
live in the middle of the Borough of Queens, where the only thing we
experienced was the 75mph winds and some rain. Despite the
devastation along the coast and in Lower Manhattan, I would say the
majority of NY escaped fairly well, especially Queens and the Bronx.
The moral for me: live on high land, and not near the water!

Gary Strickland, GJG

[ElegantBee]

Another NewYorker in the eastern part of Queens, which is flat and
in a floodplain…- No electricity, heat or phone for three days, lots
of wind and two windowpanes broken. Gasoline shortage really playing
havoc since there is no real public transportation here. Lines for
gasoline stretch along the main roads for several miles, so we are
staying home in fear of running out of gas when we might most need
it. I opened Orchid to 98 posts when the electricity returned!
However, we also consider ourselves to be extremely lucky. We were
not flooded, we still have our home and we are OK. But we find
ourselves worried and anxious for all the other people in our City
who have suffered such unbelievable loss and trauma. Even though we
are fine, we can’t shake the feelng of being in mourning.

Sandra
Elegant Insects Jewelry