Red Cross Launches Statewide Disaster Preparedness Campaign
September 15, 2014
South Carolina is the most disaster-prone state in the mid-Atlantic
On September 21, the 25th anniversary of Hurricane Hugo’s devastation inflicted on South Carolina, the American Red Cross will launch a landmark statewide campaign called Prepare SC to better prepare our communities for disasters and to create a stronger, more resilient South Carolina.
“We live in the most disaster-prone state in the mid-Atlantic,” says Louise Welch Williams, regional CEO of Palmetto SC Region, American Red Cross. “Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane and other disasters.”
South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) estimates a storm of similar intensity on the same path as Hugo would destroy over 21,000 homes. During Hugo, the American Red Cross opened 238 shelters and housed over 46,000 people. Given the population growth in South Carolina since Hugo, Red Cross must be prepared to do even more in the event of another disaster the size of Hugo.
Hurricanes are not the only disasters that threaten South Carolina. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources reports that between 1990 and 2013, the annual average of tornadoes was 29 per year in South Carolina.
The Red Cross responds to a disaster every 84 minutes in South Carolina and touches over 200,000 lives in our communities every year.
The goals of Prepare SC will be to better prepare South Carolinians and to also strengthen Red Cross’ capacity to respond to major disasters. The goals include:
• Increase the number of people trained in preparedness form 19,000 to 38,000
• Train 100,000 people in lifesaving first aid, CPR and AED skills.
• Increase the number of volunteers recruited and trained for disaster response from 3,00 to 7,000.
• Increase community capacity to distribute and serve meals from 150,000 to 300,000 per day.
This monumental effort will only be possible with the support of corporate and individual donors,” says Williams. “We are asking everyone to join us on Sept. 21 and 22 in supporting the Prepare SC campaign by texting REDCROSS at 90999 to donate $10 or by donating online at www.RedCross.org/preparesc.”
Red Cross is asking businesses to become Prepare SC partners by calling Dick Miller, (843) 764-2323 x 366.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/preparesc.
