Believe it or not: hurricane season has arrived. After a
record-breaking season last year, the Palmetto SC Region of the American Red
Cross is prepared for whatever storms come South Carolina’s way this season.
The Red Cross wants families to begin preparing now for the season.
A Red Cross volunteer hands meals to a resident of Florida after Hurricane Irma made landfall. |
“Our
volunteers and staff members have been training throughout the year to be ready
to jump into action immediately should a storm make its way to our state,” said
Louise Welch Williams, regional CEO. “We urge all South Carolinians, even those
away from the coast, to follow the tips below so they can stay safe and
prepared this hurricane season.”
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- Build an emergency
kit
with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a
flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies
for an infant if applicable, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items,
copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets,
maps of the area and emergency contact information. Many of these items
are available through the Red Cross Store at redcrossstore.org.
- Talk with household members and create an
evacuation plan.
Practicing the plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.
- Be informed. Learn about the
community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters,
register family members with special medical needs as required and make
plans for pets. Take a First Aid and CPR/AED course (redcross.org/takeaclass) so you know what
to do in case emergency help is delayed.
- Download the free Red Cross Emergency App
to select up to 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts on their
mobile device. The content includes expert guidance on what to do before,
during and after different emergencies or disasters from home fires to
hurricanes. The app can be found in smartphone app stores by searching for
American Red Cross, texting ‘EMERGENCY’ to 90999, or by going to redcross.org/apps.
If someone already has
a disaster kit, now is the time make sure the food and water is still okay to
consume and that copies of important documents are up to date. If they already
have an emergency plan for their household, they should talk about it again
with family members, so everyone knows what to do if an emergency occurs.
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