Experts Recommend Taking Advantage Of Calm Before The Storm

American Red Cross
Tuesday, 4 May 2004

Hurricane Forecasters, Lowe's, Red Cross Help Homeowners Prepare for 2004 Hurricane Season

Top hurricane experts urge Atlantic and Gulf Coast residents to take heed and use this year's National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 16-22, to do just that - prepare.

Renowned hurricane forecaster, Dr. William M. Gray, predicts "above average" activity for this year's Atlantic hurricane season and estimates a 52 percent probability that at least one "intense" or major hurricane will make landfall on the East coast.

In response to these predictions, Lowe's is taking steps, as in the past, to help its customers and neighbors prepare. Seventeen Lowe's stores in 14 coastal markets are collaborating with local American Red Cross chapters to host Hurricane Preparedness Fairs throughout June and July. The fairs will include local emergency response organizations and vendors, and several also will include special appearances by hurricane readiness expert and founder of the Hurricane Intercept Research Team, Mark Sudduth.

"This season is expected to be active, with weather patterns that signal a strong chance of higher than normal hurricane activity. However, whether or not there are more hurricanes than usual, it is best to always be prepared," says Sudduth. "For those people living in historically hurricane-prone areas, hurricanetrack.com provides a real-time glimpse of the latest storms and their paths."

Residents also can pick up free copies of the 2004-2005 Lowe's and American Red Cross Hurricane Readiness Guide and Map, available at coastal Lowe's stores beginning late May. The guide features ready-made checklists to help homeowners prepare for and recover from severe weather or natural disasters. Hurricane preparedness information and the schedule of Hurricane Preparedness Fairs are also available online at Lowes.com/hurricane, 2004 Red Cross and Lowe's Hurricane Fairs, or www.hurricanetrack.com.

To help homeowners prepare well in advance for the 2004 season, the American Red Cross and Lowe's compiled the following hurricane safety tips:

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit

Gather emergency supplies including: emergency medications, nonperishable food, a non-electric can opener, bottled water (at least three gallons per day per person), a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, extra clothes, important documents, cash and credit cards, a first aid kit and other items for infants, elderly or disabled family members and pets

Store supplies in a waterproof, easy-to-carry container, such as a plastic tub with handles

Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan

Identify an evacuation route ahead of time; discuss with family members

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately

In case of evacuation to an American Red Cross shelter, be sure to bring the disaster supplies kit, medications, extra clothing, pillows and blankets and other hygiene and comfort supplies

Make advance preparations for pets, which due to health department regulations aren't allowed in public shelters

Prepare for High Winds

Measure windows and obtain shutters or cut plywood to cover each one

Remove diseased and damaged tree limbs well before a storm strikes

Strengthen garage doors with vertical support beams made from 2X4's and "L" brackets. Get professional help if needed.

When a Hurricane Warning has been issued and you have time:

Clear deck and yard of potential flying debris such as trash cans and lawn furniture

Anchor large objects that can't be brought inside

Close and cover all windows with permanent hurricane shutters or pre-cut plywood

Add protection to the outside of sliding glass doors with hurricane panels or plywood

The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 and ends November 30. Gray predicts the Atlantic will spawn 14 "named" tropical storms this year, and that eight of them will grow into hurricanes. Tropical storms deliver winds of at least 39 mph. Hurricanes are 74 mph or more.

For additional home safety information, and to take a pledge to prepare for emergency situations, visit www.pledgetoprepare.com.

The American Red Cross is dedicated to helping make families and communities safer at home and around the world. Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of more than 900 chapters and Blood Services regions dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1.2 million volunteers and 32,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 67,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and exchanges more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide. For more information, visit www.redcross.org.

Lowe's is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation awards more than $2 million annually to diverse organizations across the United States. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer program aimed at preventing unintentional home injuries. Lowe's, a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2003 sales of $30.8 billion, has more than 975 stores in 45 states. For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.

For more information, or to contact American Red Cross, see their website at: www.redcross.org

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