Editorial note: Call (202) 303-5551 to speak with an American Red Cross spokesperson on the ground.


Editorial note: Call (202) 303-5551 to speak with an American Red Cross spokesperson on the ground.



( BLACK PR WIRE) WASHINGTON, August 28, 2008 – The American Red Cross is getting ready for Tropical Storm Gustav and urges everyone living in the projected path of the storm to get ready too.

As Gustav stands poised to enter the Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane this weekend, Red Cross is preparing to assist residents in the storm’s path with evacuation shelters, feeding, and other needed services.

“We’ll be there, prepared to help,” said Joseph Becker, Senior Vice President of Disaster Services for the Red Cross, “This storm is unpredictable and could cover a wide geography. The American Red Cross is as ready as we can be. We urge everyone to take this storm seriously.”

Red Cross is moving hundreds of mobile feeding trucks into Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The organization is also moving thousands of cots and blankets, tens of thousands of comfort kits and ready to eat meals into the coastal states. Red Cross workers will be moving into the area today and Friday. Operational headquarters are setting up in Dallas, TX, Baton Rouge, LA, Hattiesburg, MS and Montgomery, AL. Our first priorities before and after landfall will be to ensure people have safe shelter, food, comfort items and emotional support.

If a hurricane watch is issued for your area, it means hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours. If a hurricane warning is issued, it means hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours.

“Get prepared now,” Becker said, “listen to local officials and evacuate if you’re told to do so.”

Red Cross reports residents should listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information. Pack a bag and include medications and dentures, a flashlight and batteries, radio, first aid kit, bottled water, clothing and bedding.

If you have time, bring things indoors that could damage your home. Turn off electricity and water. Leave natural gas turned on; turn off propane gas service. Cover your windows. Gather essential supplies and important papers. Fill your car’s gas tank.

As you evacuate, if you have one call to make before you leave home, call a loved one and tell them you are safe. Ask them to register you on the Red Cross Safe and Well web site which can be accessed at www.redcross.org. If there’s no internet access, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register yourself and your family. If family members know your telephone number or complete home address, they can search the site for messages posted by those who register.




RED CROSS

Gustav is making his appearance almost three years to the day the area was hit by another storm – Katrina. Becker reported his organization learned a lot from Katrina and has better systems in place, more trained workers, and more partnerships to strengthen response. Red Cross has tripled its warehouse space to store relief items closer to disaster-prone locations, and increased the amount of relief items on hand to accommodate large numbers of shelter residents. There are now more Red Cross mobile kitchens and feeding vehicles, more trained volunteers, and a satellite communication system in place in the event of damage to the local networks.

The people of the Gulf Coast will need your support in the coming days. Red Cross is asking for your help now. A record tornado season, wide-scale flooding in the Midwest, and an early wildfire season have put a strain on the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. You can help by calling1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or mail your donations 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

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 disasters across the country each year, disasters like Tropical Storm Gustav, 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 victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS 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.


Hurricane Dennis is forcing many coastal residents to evacuate, and it is important that people have a plan in place to keep in touch with their loved ones. One simple call or e mail message will give those who care about you peace of mind about your well-being and safety.

The need to create a family communication plan is critical. During the unprecedented hurricane season of last year, with four hurricanes in just six weeks, the American Red Cross received more than 300,000 phone calls – most were from people seeking loved ones.

Due to widespread power and telecommunication outages, service may not be restored for several days. During this critical time, your family and friends may not be able to reach you. Your initiative to establish contact quickly with a designated person will save your loved ones from making multiple calls to reach you. This one simple act can help to alleviate their anxiety. It also helps to reduce the overwhelming number of phone calls that can often overload the system following a disaster.

To assist families with staying connected following a disaster, the Red Cross recommends having a communication plan in place beforehand.

Evacuees maintaining contact with loved ones inside the affected area:

• Plan ahead for the possibility of becoming separated from your family and friends.
• Because local phone lines may be out of service or overloaded after a disaster, it’s often easier to call out of the area.
• Choose an out-of-town contact that each family or household member can call or email should a disaster occur. Your selected contact should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event. They should be aware that they are the chosen contact.
• All of your loved ones should have the phone number for the contact as well as each other’s phone numbers and email addresses. Loved ones should agree to call the out-of-town contact to report their whereabouts and welfare. Consider having a laminated wallet-sized card made to carry with you at all times.
• Many people overwhelm telephone lines when emergencies happen. Your family and friends should know that if telephone lines are not working, they need to be patient and try again later or try email. Sometimes e-mails go through when calls cannot.
• As calls or e-mails are placed to the out-of-town contact from family members affected by the disaster, there will be peace of mind that comes from knowing that everyone is safe.


AMERICAN RED CROSS –

Preparing for a disaster, such as a hurricane, ahead of time can help alleviate the stress you may face during the storm, and ease the burden on your family and loved ones. For more information regarding how individuals and families can prepare for disasters visit www.redcross.org or contact your local Red Cross chapter.

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 the recent hurricanes and 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. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation.