Thank You

This is the final post for the Tropical Storm Hanna Online Newsroom. While this is the last post, the recovery and relief efforts will continue. We would like to thank the hard working Red Crossers in the field who made this disaster operation, as well as this website, successful. To all those in the affected areas, we wish you a swift and complete recovery.

National media contacts: Please contact (202) 303-5551 for additional public affairs information.

Local media contacts: Please contact your local chapter for additional public affairs information.

For Red Cross assistance or for any other inquiries, please contact 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Release: Pensacola and Crestview , Florida Diaster Training 09.07.2008

Red Cross Offers Disaster Training

Classes available in Pensacola and Crestview

PENSACOLA, FL, September 5, 2008 – Hanna, Ike and Josephine. In anticipation of these named storms making their way across the Atlantic, the American Red Cross of Northwest Florida is hosting two disaster shelter operations training on Sunday, September 7, 2008.

This training will focus on how to open and operate a Red Cross shelter where people can have a safe haven to ride out a storm. Trained Red Cross shelter managers are seeking additional volunteers to work side-by-side with an experienced team for Hurricane Ike and, if possible, for other storms this hurricane season.

The training will be held at the following locations on Sunday:

• 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – East Brent Baptist Church, 4801 N. Davis Highway, Pensacola, FL
• 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – New Beginnings Church, 412 W. James Lee Boulevard, Crestview, FL

Participants in this training must be 18 years of age or older, be in good health, successfully pass a background check and be able to work at a Red Cross shelter in their community should the need arise for Hurricane Ike.

Participants can register when arriving at the training site, just prior to the training start time.

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Local Resource

Diane Hawkins, 850.418.0543

Release: Prepare Now for Hurricane Ike

Red Cross: Prepare now for Hurricane Ike

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 – While many may believe Louisiana was not heavily affected by Gustav, the American Red Cross continues to mount a huge relief effort to feed and shelter those who are returning home.

Another 24,000 people affected by Gustav are in shelters, and the Red Cross estimates it will spend between $40-$70 million to help people in the Gulf Coast area. Meanwhile, the Red Cross is positioned to help those in the path of Tropical Storm Hanna, and is looking ahead to respond to Hurricane Ike, already considered a dangerous hurricane on a track to hit Florida by the middle of next week.

The American Red Cross Polk County Chapter will be preparing this weekend for the approaching storm by contacting volunteers, checking and rechecking equipment, rehearsing procedures, and watching the weather.

Don’t wait for Hurricane Ike to arrive. Prepare now. Double check your disaster supplies kit. Rehearse plans to shelter or evacuate. Check that all equipment you need is in good working order, and contact family and friends to make sure your support network is in place. Also, follow local news and weather reports for the latest on this hurricane season.

To help people contact their loved ones, and set their hearts at ease, the American Red Cross has its “Safe and Well” website. As you evacuate, and only have time for one call, please call a loved one to let them know you are safe, and ask them to register you on “Safe and Well.”

To register yourself or someone else, go to www.redcross.org and click on the link on the right to register as “Safe and Well.” Then follow the prompts: You have a choice of registering or searching for others. Concerned family members who know a person’s phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for loved ones’ messages. Those without Internet access can call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register yourself and your family.

Read about the Red Cross response to Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna at the Online Newsroom More information is available at www.redcross.org.

Release: American Red Cross Stresses Preparation as Tropical Storm Hanna Looms in the Atlantic 9.4.2008

American Red Cross Stresses Preparation as Tropical Storm Hanna Looms in the Atlantic

Thursday, September 04, 2008 - The American Red Cross is getting ready for Tropical Storm Hanna and urges everyone living in the projected path of the storm to get ready too. A hurricane watch has been issued for areas in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Officials have also urged residents to prepare for heavy winds and rain as far north as Washington, D.C. The storm has a strong chance of impacting the southeastern coast late this week and forecasters predict it to strengthen back to a hurricane with winds of at least 74 mph.

The Red Cross encourages those in potentially affected areas to make preparations now instead of waiting to see where the storm will hit. First, assemble a disaster supplies kit for your home. Make sure to include a first aid kit containing essential medications and at least three gallons of water per person in your home. Canned food and a manual can opener are a must, along with protective clothing and raingear. Be sure to also include a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries in case of a power outage. Store supplies in a waterproof, easy-to-carry container, such as a plastic tub with handles.

Listen to your local radio and TV stations for important evacuation information and instructions. If you are advised to evacuate, do so immediately and take only the most important items such as:

*Prescription medications and medical supplies.

*Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows.

*Bottled water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid kit and flashlight.

*Car keys and maps.

*Documents including driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.

Everyone in your household should know ahead of time where to go if ordered to evacuate. Whether you choose to go to a motel or a friend or family member’s home in a nearby town, keep the telephone numbers to these places handy, along with a road map of your area. You may have to find alternate routes out of town if main roadways are closed or congested with traffic.

A critical step in preparing for the storm is to notify loved ones of your whereabouts. If you have time to make only one phone call before you evacuate, be sure to ask a friend or family member to register you as “safe and well” on the American Red Cross Safe and Well Website. This can then be checked by loved ones to let them know of your well-being.

In addition, here is how to prepare your pets for disaster.

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.

The Red Cross begins to prepare long before the storm makes landfall. If evacuation orders are given, the Red Cross will be ready with shelters, food, and emotional support.

Release: Sign up on “Safe and Well” before the storm 9.5.2008

Learn how to sign up on ‘Safe and Well’ before the storm

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 – As Tropical Storm Hanna approaches the Carolinas and Hurricane Ike continues tracking west toward Florida, the Red Cross is urging people to prepare.

Whether they are in the direct path of a storm or near its projected track, people could be affected in the week. They may need to evacuate from winds, tornadoes, or floods or shelter in place. Either way, there may be a period of time when family may not be able to contact them.

To help people contact their loved ones, and set their hearts at ease, the American Red Cross has set up the “Safe and Well” website. As people evacuate, they may only have time to make one call before they leave home. Call a loved one to let them know you are safe, and ask them to register you on “Safe and Well.”

To register yourself or someone else, go to www.redcross.org and click on the link on the right to register as “Safe and Well.” Then follow the prompts: You will have a choice of either registering or searching for others. Concerned family members who know the person’s phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who self-register.

The Safe and Well Web site allows those directly affected by a disaster to let their loved ones know of their well-being. Those without Internet access can call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register yourself and your family. Follow the prompts for disaster information.

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Local Resource

Phil Attinger, (863) 294-5941

Polk County Florida Chapter

Release: Savannah Red Cross Prepares for Hanna 9.4.2008

SAVANNAH RED CROSS PREPARES FOR HANNA

Wednesday, September 03, 2008 – The Savannah Red Cross is making preparations for Hurricane Hanna to possibly impact the Savannah area later this week. “We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best” said John Wright, Emergency Services Director for the Savannah Red Cross.

The Red Cross has assembled a disaster leadership team to begin preliminary plans for a number of contingencies as Hanna approaches the Southeast coast. This team of highly trained and specialized disaster volunteers, if necessary, will be responsible for oversight of Mass Care which shelters, feeds and oversees bulk distribution in disasters; Damage Assessment which is responsible for assessing damage to homes in the affected area; Logistics which acquires and moves materials where they need to be; Partner Services which coordinates the community response between partner agencies; Nursing Services who are involved in the sheltering; Staffing which coordinates volunteer placement; Communications which is responsible for letting the public know what type of Red Cross services are available and how to access them; and Fundraising which gives the public an opportunity to reach out and help their fellow citizens through financial contributions. “The Savannah Red Cross is fortunate to have this team of experts working on our behalf” Wright said.

The Savannah Red Cross is encouraging the public to check your preparedness plans and take three simple steps (Have a plan – Make a kit – Stay informed) to make sure they are Red Cross Ready for disaster.

Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan

-Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places–a friend’s   home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
-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.
-Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

Take these items with you when evacuating:

-Prescription medications and medical supplies;
-Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows
-Bottled water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight
-Car keys and maps
-Documents, including driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Including the Following Items:

• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person.
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• 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.)

Stay Informed:

-Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information.
-Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.

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, trash cans, 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

• 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 flood waters. 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.

As we continue to monitor Hanna’s progress, the Savannah Red Cross will be ready to respond to whatever impact, if any, Hanna does have on our area”. For additional information on hurricane preparedness contact the Savannah Red Cross at 651-5300 or visit www.redcross.org.