Red Cross is Prepared for Possible Bad Weather; Offers Tips on Hurricane Preparedness
News Release: September 15, 2003
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
With the U.S. coast a potential target of Hurricane Isabel, the American Red Cross is urging residents throughout the potentially affected areas to prepare for extreme dangers now.
Two of the most fundamental steps people can take are assembling a disaster supplies kit and making an emergency plan, said Cordelia Miller, director of emergency services for the local Red Cross. They are simple measures, but can make all the difference when disasters strike. Disasters can happen any time, and a kit and plan can be used for everything from a house fire to a Category 5 hurricane.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley has reviewed its disaster plans and has been in contact with Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties emergency management offices. We are prepared should bad weather hit our area, commented Miller. We have a great respect for Mother Nature.
The Red Cross offers these tips on what residents can do to prepare:
Know What Hurricane WATCH and WARNING Mean
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.
Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan
Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate by local government officials. Decide where to go, how to get there, what to take, and who to notify about your decision. Choose several places -- a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
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.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Including the Following Items:
Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
First aid kit and essential medications.
Prescription medications.
Eyeglasses
Canned food and can opener.
At least three gallons of water per person.
Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
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.)
Prepare for High Winds
Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut 1/2" outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and predrill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.
Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.
Know What to Do When a Hurricane WATCH Is Issued
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, trashcans, 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.
Know What to Do When a Hurricane WARNING Is Issued
Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
Complete preparation activities.
If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.
Be aware that the calm "eye" is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.
Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.
Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground.
Know What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over
Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions.
If you evacuated, return home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so.
Inspect your home for damage.
Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles.
There have only been three category five hurricanes ever to hit the Untied States. The last Category 5 hurricane to hit the United States was Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which caused $25 billion worth of damages.
For more information about hurricanes, hurricane safety or other emergencies, call the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley at (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcross.org.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about your local Red Cross or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
