American Red Cross Urges Flooding Preparedness

Wilmington, DE – August 31, 2006 – Tropical Storm Ernesto will be delivering heavy rainfall to states along the Eastern Seaboard. There will likely be severe flooding conditions in many areas. The American Red Cross urges people to take safety steps now. Even though flooding poses a threat for many areas, families and individuals can take the initiative to help themselves.

Any time it has been raining hard for several hours, or raining steadily for several days, there is the possibility of a flood, as witnessed recently locally, when there was heavy flooding in Sussex, Delaware and Caroline and Dorchester counties in Maryland. If you need assistance in taking appropriate evacuation measures, please contact your local authorities immediately and follow their instructions. Your local Red Cross is prepared to assist all those who may be temporarily displaced from their homes by flooding.

Three simple steps can make a difference in staying safe: Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Stay Informed.

TORNADOES – ONE OF NATURE’S MOST VIOLENT STORMS. PREPARE FOR YOUR FAMILY’S SAFETY NOW

It is anticipated that Tropical Storm Ernesto, combined with other weather conditions, has the possibility of spawning tornadoes in storm affected areas. The American Red Cross urges people to begin to take steps now to ensure individual and family safety in the event of a tornado. Before a tornado watch or warning is issued, take steps to ensure your own safety.

MAKE A FAMILY COMMUNICATION PLAN NOW
 “You wouldn’t go to bed at night without knowing your family was safe. Why risk not knowing during a disaster”

In the days immediately following a disaster, staying in touch with loved ones is very important. Taking essential steps to ensure communication can continue between family members often goes overlooked. Many people rely on cell phone communication to relay information to each other. However, during and after a disaster, this type of communication is not always a reliable source.

As Tropical Storm Ernesto moves up the Eastern Seaboard, the American Red Cross urges the public to take advantage of the Safe and Well list that can be found at www.redcross.org. This website was created so that people who are affected by a disaster are able to let friends and family outside of the affected region know of their well being. Additional tips are also located on the site to help your family develop their personal communications plan.

A person in a disaster affected area can register by providing his or her full name, home address, and phone number. The amount of personal information that can be displayed on the website is restricted. Only the person’s name, the date the information was entered, and the welfare messages selected by the registrant will be able to be viewed on the site. Family members who are concerned about the welfare of a loved one in a disaster affected area must know the person’s complete home address or phone number, as well as the person’s first and last name in order to search. As each person or family’s situation changes, they are encouraged to update the registry.

If a person cannot be found by searching the Safe and Well list, the Contact Loved Ones voice message site should be a consideration. This site enables family and friends to leave voice messages for each other in order to find out how to make contact. Visit www.contactlovedones.org or call 1-866-782-6882.

For detailed information about making a family communication plan and other preparedness tips click here.

PLAN AHEAD FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR PET

Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety regulations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in Red Cross shelters. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. Do not wait until disaster strikes to do your research. The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula collaborates with SPCAs in all counties in our jurisdiction, as well as the Delaware Humane Association, about ways pet owners can be prepared to protect their pets in times of disaster. For more details about pet safety click here.

Red Cross disaster relief is available 24 hours a day and is provided free of charge. As the American Red Cross is not a government agency, and is not federally funded, it relies on voluntary contributions from the American public to provide this free disaster aid, which is an outright gift to all those affected by disasters such as fires, floods and tornadoes.