While initially developed to access human services day-to-day, 2-1-1 has proven critical in disaster response and long-term recovery.  Past examples in NYS include snow and ice storms, flooding as well as Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
 
2-1-1 helps take some of the burden off emergency and response agencies allowing them to focus on their primary missions.  2-1-1 becomes the link to information, referral, assistance and crisis support as well as a conduit for current information.  It publishes and distributes disaster guides and helps to manage donations and volunteers.
 
In response to Super Storm Sandy, the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) formally activated 2-1-1 to support the work of local and state government in disaster response and recovery. 2-1-1 handled about 180,000 Sandy-related calls.