白宫来信

As communities up and down the East Coast prepare for Hurricane Sandy to make landfall, President Obama is urging residents in the path of the storm to heed warnings from state, local, and tribal officials and make final preparations. Earlier today, he spoke from the White House Briefing Room.

Watch President Obama speak about Hurricane Sandy.

We also want to make sure you have the latest guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If you don't live in an area affected by Hurricane Sandy, please pass this along to anyone you know who does.

For more information, be sure to check out FEMA.gov.

Follow the direction of local officials -- If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
Know the forecast in your area -- Continue to monitor your NOAA Weather Radio and your local news for severe weather updates, warnings and watches. Follow your forecast at weather.gov on your computer or mobile.weather.gov on your phone.
Turn around, don't drown -- The potential for heavy rains can also lead to flooding, or flash flooding in some areas. Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous.
Make final preparations -- If you're further inland, now is the time to make final preparations. Visit ready.gov and be ready for power outages and stock up on emergency supplies of food, water, medications, and other supplies.
Check on your neighbor -- Make sure they're ready, too.
Finding shelters -- Download the Red Cross Hurricane app (redcross.org/mobile-apps/hurricane-app), visit redcross.org/find-help/shelter, or check your local media outlets. You should also register on redcross.org/safeandwell, a secure and easy-to-use online tool that helps families connect during emergencies. Finally, you can download the FEMA smartphone app (fema.gov/smartphone-app) or text SHELTER and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). Standard rates apply.
Donate blood -- If you don't live in an affected area, please consider donating blood, because numerous blood drives have been canceled as a result of the storm. To schedule a blood donation or for more information about giving blood or platelets, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).