The American Red Cross Urges South Carolinians to Prepare for First Tropical Storm of Hurricane Season

CHARLESTON, SC — The Red Cross urges South Carolinians to take the time now to get prepared for the first tropical storm of hurricane season that could affect the Carolinas by Thursday. Everyone is encouraged to download the Red Cross’ free mobile apps for Flooding, Tornados, Shelters, Hurricanes, First Aid and more. Red Cross apps can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross or by going to http://www.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps

“It pays to be prepared for whatever the weather may bring,” says Louise Welch Williams, regional chief executive officer, Palmetto SC Region, American Red Cross. “Red Cross is working closely with local officials and stands ready, and weencourage everyone to get prepared for this storm threat and the hurricane season.”

The American Red Cross recommends the following actions for being prepared for tropical storms and hurricanes:

 

Get or assemble an emergency preparedness kit:

A portable kit, stored in a sturdy, easy to carry, water resistant container should have enough supplies for three days. Check your kit and replace perishable stock every six months. Whether you purchase a kit or choose to build your own, your three-day kit should include:

• Water – one gallon per person, per day.
• Food – non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items such as tuna fish, peanut butter, crackers, and canned fruit. Make sure to include a manual can opener.
• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
• A first aid kit.
• Prescription and non-prescription medication items. Include medical supplies like extra hearing aid batteries, syringes, etc.
• Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance policies and social security cards.
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
• Extra cash. ATMs and credit cards won’t work if the power is out.
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
• One blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowls).

 

Be informed

• Find out what types of disaster are likely to occur in your area and how to prepare for each.
• Find out how local authorities will contact you during a disaster. Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest storm conditions and follow the advice of local authorities.
• If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately. You may choose to evacuate sooner than alerted if you think you may need additional time.

• Contact the Red Cross for details about community disaster education presentations that may be arranged or are available in your workplace, school or community organization.
• Get trained in CPR and first aid so you will know how to respond to emergencies in the event that help is delayed.

 

 

Prepare a family evacuation plan

The American Red Cross urges each and every household to develop a household disaster plan.

• Meet with your family to create a plan. Discuss the information you have gathered and why it is important to prepare for a disaster.
• Identify two meeting places; One right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like afire, and one outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
• Be sure to make advanced preparations for your pets. Be aware that pets may not be allowed in shelters. Contact hotels, motels, family members and animal shelters to see if they would allow pets in a disaster situation. Keep a contact list of “pet friendly” locations. If you are asked to evacuate, take your pets with you.

• Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. During or after a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance, especially if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your emergency contact person’s phone number and email address.

• Tell your family about the Safe and Well web site accessible at all times via www.redcross.org.  The Safe and Well Web site is an Internet-based tool that allows those directly affected by a disaster to let their loved ones know of their well-being. People within a disaster affected area are able to select and post standard “safe and well” messages.

Show and explain to each family member how and when to turn off the water and electricity at the main switches. Turn gas off only if instructed by local authorities. Remember, if the gas is shut-off, only

 

Know what to do if a hurricane WATCH is issued

• Listen to weather updates from your battery-powered or hand-cranked radio.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, hanging plants, bicycles, toys and garden tools, anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Close all windows and doors. Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood.
• If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture or move it to a higher floor to protect it from flooding.
• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.
• Check your disaster supplies kit to make sure items have not expired.

 

The Palmetto SC Region is made up of seven Red Cross chapters that span 35 counties in South Carolina. The Palmetto SC Region responds to a local disaster every 6.5 hours.  Because of disaster-trained volunteers and the financial support of the community, the Palmetto SC Region has been able to meet the needs of more than 1,500 individuals affected by disaster sinceJanuary 1.

 

To learn more about becoming a volunteer or a financial supporter of Red Cross visit www.RedCross.org

 

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.  For more information, please visit redcross.org or follow us on Twitter @RedCrossSC.