American Red Cross Urges Preparedness as Hurricane Dennis Approaches

WASHINGTON, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Hurricane Center said that in recorded history, there have never been four tropical storms formed in the Atlantic so early in the hurricane season. With Hurricane Dennis now heading for the Gulf Coast and soon affecting other states inland, the American Red Cross encourages individuals, families and communities to heed the advice of officials and take precautions.

Hurricane Dennis has sustained winds of approximately 110 miles per hour as it heads toward the coast. It may speed up before it makes landfall. All non-residents of the Florida Keys have been ordered to leave the area, and more evacuation orders may come. Forecasters predict that Dennis will be west of the Keys on Saturday and approach the central Gulf Coast on Sunday with landfall near Mobile on Monday.

It is important to heed local warnings and take preparedness steps now whether you're along the coast or inland, where Hurricane Dennis may result in extensive flooding, tornadoes, and power outages. If you haven't already created your disaster and evacuation plan, please do so now.

Prepare a Personal Disaster and Evacuation Plan

The American Red Cross, the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency urge each and every family to develop a family 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.

  * Show and explain to each family member how and when to turn off the
    water, gas and electricity at the main switches, and how to use a fire
    extinguisher.  Remember, if the gas is shut-off, only a professional can
    turn it back on.

  * Identify ahead of time where you would go if you are told to evacuate.
    Choose several different places -- a friend's home outside of the
    affected area, a motel or a shelter.

  * Get a good map and be familiar with your community's evacuation routes.

  * Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest
    storm conditions.

  * If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately.

  * In case you have to evacuate, be sure to bring your disaster supplies
    kit including medications, extra clothing, pillows and blankets, and
    other hygiene and comfort supplies, along with copies of essential
    papers and documents.

  * Be sure to make advanced safety preparations for your pets. Be aware
    that pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters. Contact your local
    humane society or veterinarian for suggestions.

  * Ask an out-of-town friend or family member to act as "family contact"
    for everyone to call in case of separation. It is often easier to call
    long distance after a disaster than to make local calls.


  Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit

Gather enough emergency supplies to meet your needs for at least three days. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy to carry, water resistant containers. It's also a good idea to keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car. Your disaster supplies kit should include:

  * A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and ready-
    to-eat canned goods, such as tuna fish, peanut butter, crackers, canned
    fruit, juice boxes, etc. Please remember that you want to replace stored
    water and food every six months.

  * A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries

  * A manual can opener

  * Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance
    policies and social security cards. Your original documents should be
    secured in a locked box or safety deposit box.

  * Comfortable clothing and footwear

  * One blanket or sleeping bag per person

  * A first aid kit, including prescription medicines

  * Emergency tools, including tools to turn off utilities.

  * An extra set of car keys

  * Cash/Credit cards

  * Special items for infant, elderly or disables family members

  * An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses


  Prepare for High Winds

Pick a day in June to conduct a home hazard hunt and perimeter search, in which you inspect your home for items that can move, fall, break or cause a fire.

  * Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs

  * Install hurricane or high-wind shutters on your windows or pre-cut
    plywood to cover windows, and add protection to the outside areas of
    sliding glass doors

  * Strengthen garage doors and un-reinforced masonry

  * Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash
    cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and
    become a projectile


  Flood Safety Tips

  * Identify several evacuation locations

  * Assemble a disaster supplies kit

  * Listen to local radio or television reports

  * Be alert to signs of flash flooding

  * Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks and storm drains

  * If your car stalls in water, abandon it and get to higher ground

  * Turn off the utilities in your home only if you suspect the lines are
    damaged or if you are instructed to do so

For more information regarding how individuals and families can prepare for disasters, please contact your local chapter or visit http://www.redcross.org/.

The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors- across the street, across the country and across the world-in emergencies. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new-the nearly 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through almost 900 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Some 4 million people give blood-the gift of life-through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 181 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.