No one knew for sure how much rain would fall, nor how hard the wind would blow, but organizations around the area prepared for the worst from Hurricane Sandy, just in case it would become necessary.
Now that the worst has passed, organizations are planning how to continue helping those who need it most.
Several volunteers are on standby for the local American Red Cross, but it has not been asked to send to anyone yet, Anne Smith, communications coordinator, said Tuesday.
"As local needs subside, we'll release those volunteers if they're needed and want to go," Smith said.
Red Cross began planning for disaster relief last week when it learned how damaging the storm would be.
Everyone who wants to volunteer puts their availability and skills online, which goes into a database. When needs become available, the Red Cross can begin emailing and calling people to let them know if and where they are needed.
For example, a mental health worker from St. Louis, Mo., volunteered to help in the Snyder, Union and Northumberland counties, if needed.
"It's good to have someone to talk to," Smith said.
This was one of the most well-run disaster relief operations, she added. "People really paid attention to advice ... People hunkered down, took care of themselves."
She also used social media websites like Facebook to update people whenever she received information about the storm.
"The way we communicate is immediate and it really, really helps," she said.
If people want to help, Smith suggested checking local blood drive listings to see when they can donate blood.
"We cancelled 110 blood drives in just one day across the state," she said. "There's a critical need for blood."
To donate blood or money, visit redcross.org.
Red Cross set up a shelter at New Covenant United Church of Christ late Monday afternoon, but it closed Tuesday afternoon because no one needed the services, said Phil Landers, a member of the church's disaster preparedness committee.
The church was chosen as a shelter because it has showers, an industrial-grade kitchen, two large rooms, other rooms that could be used for cots, lounge areas that could be set up for medical necessities and a small room for counseling. It also is a block away from Red Cross headquarters.
"We really have the facilities to handle that, plus there's about ... a dozen members in the church trained by Red Cross and various programs to run a facility like this," Landers said.
The church was approved to be an evacuation and disaster center two years ago, but this was the first time it was used as such. The Red Cross did not set up a shelter there during last year's flooding.
Landers, who also is part of United Churches Long Term Disaster Relief Committee, said work still is ongoing from last year's flooding. A fifth work day to repair damages will take place Saturday. For more information, call Landers at 326-2337.
At the Salvation Army, Captain Chas Engel already has been deployed to Philadelphia, said Tony Perrotta, public relations and program development.
"The Salvation Army is well aware of what is going on and whatever is needed, we should be able to help wherever is possible," Perrotta said.
Locally, the Salvation Army offered food assistance to Red Cross shelters, but it was not needed.
"We do have clean-up kits if any families or businesses need clean-up kits," Perrotta said. "Call the Salvation Army and it will be provided."
The clean-up kits are buckets filled with cleaning supplies to help after floods.
Hope Missions, based out of Christian Church at Cogan Station, is still waiting to see where they will be needed, said Larry Sheddy, a worker with the group.
"Right now we just don't know," Sheddy said. "Our church and Hope are very active in all kinds of disaster relief. I'm sure there will be something coming up. Until we find out the needs, we don't have any idea where the hardest part of the storm hit yet."
The American Rescue Workers could not be reached for this story.
