Red Cross Activates Hurricane Response Plan; Encourages Coastal Residents to Prepare Now

American Red Cross
Wednesday, 11 August 2004

With three major storms developing over the last week, this year's hurricane season is in full swing. Although Hurricane Alex gave a glancing blow to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and moved out to sea, current indications are that residents in western Florida from the Everglades to the border of Alabama are going to feel the effects of two storms, Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley. A long-time leader in disaster safety and preparedness, the American Red Cross has witnessed the wrath of some of nature's most powerful storms over the last few years and encourages coastal residents to prepare now.

"Every year, coastal communities suffer the tragic loss of life and property because of hurricanes, which can devastate a region with destructive winds, heavy rains and flooding, storm surges and tornadoes," said Joe Becker, Vice President of Response at the American Red Cross. "Because we know that our eastern coastline is at risk every year, it is vital that we work to keep our families safe by preparing for hurricane season before it even starts. The time to prepare is now. Taking a few moments to discuss some simple, common-sense preparedness steps with your family can save your life and the lives of the ones you love."

With Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley both making landfall in the coming days and the impending dangers of the storms increases, Red Cross officials are urging residents in the predicted pathways to stay tuned to weather forecasts and begin taking the following preparedness measures:

Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan

* Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places--a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
* Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.
* Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
* Take these items with you when evacuating:
o Prescription medications and medical supplies;
o Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows
o Bottled water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight
o Car keys and maps
o Documents, including driver's license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Including the Following Items:

* First aid kit and essential medications.
* Canned food and can opener.
* At least three gallons of water per person.
* Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
* Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
* Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
* Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)

Know What to Do When a Tropical Storm/Hurricane WATCH or WARNING Is Issued

The National Hurricane Center issues Tropical Storm/Hurricane Watches and Warnings for the areas most at risk, meaning conditions are expected there within 12 to 24 hours. As a storm continues to move closer to the coast, winds pick up, tornadoes may develop and rains get heavier, possibly causing flooding.

* WATCH: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the WATCH, usually within 36 hours.
* WARNING: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the WARNING, usually within 24 hours.
* Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information.
* Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
* Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as described above. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, so taping windows is not recommended.
* Fill your car's gas tank.
* Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.
* Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.

Prepare for High Winds

Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Strengthen garage doors and unreinforced masonry. Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile.

Prepare for Flooding

Be alert to signs of flash flooding. Be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks and storm drains. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it and get to higher ground. Do not drive in floodwaters, and do not drive around barricades. ONLY if you have time, carry things that can be water-damaged to higher floors.

Prepare for Tornadoes

Prepare a home tornado plan by picking a place where family members can gather, away from windows. It could be a basement or a center hallway, bathroom or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this area uncluttered. If you are in a high-rise building and don't have enough time to go to the lowest floor, pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building. If outside, try to get inside a sturdy building. If a building is not available, crouch in a ditch or low-lying area that is not subject to flooding. If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head to a safer location. Contrary to folklore, it is not safe to get underneath a highway overpass. For more information regarding tropical storm and hurricane preparedness information, please visit more of our disaster readiness online resources, contact your local Red Cross chapter, or call the toll-free American Red Cross hotline 1-866-GET-INFO.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

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