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.

Preparedness Information: Flood Safety Checklist

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What to Put in Your Diaster Supplies Kit

Assemble a disaster supplies kit:

• First aid kit and 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).

Addtional Information:

• Preparedness kits

Handout: A Hurricane is Coming…

… Be Red Cross Ready. This checklist can help you prepare:

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This PDF is also available in Spanish and French.

Tips for Families to Follow During a Hurricane Watch or Warning

During a hurricane WATCH:

• Listen for weather updates and hurricane progress reports via crank or battery-operated radio or television. Be prepared to evacuate if local officials advise it.
• Get a crank or battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries.
• Ensure your disaster supplies kit has the items you need, including a three-day supply of food and water (one gallon per person per day), first aid kit, medications, copies of important documents, cash and clothing.
• Fill vehicles with fuel.
• Bring in lawn furniture, bicycles, toys, hanging plants, trash cans, garden tools and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
• Secure your home by closing all windows and doors and then hurricane shutters. If you don’t have shutters, board up windows and doors with plywood.
• Remove outside antennas if possible and if it can be done safely.
• Turn refrigerators and freezers to coldest setting. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly. This will allow perishable food to last longer during a power outage.
• Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home. Hurricanes can cause water damage inside homes.
• If you have a manufactured or mobile home, check tie-downs. They may be less affected by high winds if they are tied down according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

During a hurricane WARNING:

• Keep the radio or television on and listen for updates as the hurricane can change direction, speed and intensity quickly.
• If you are advised to leave your home, do so immediately and take your pets with you.
• If you are advised to remain at home, stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Stay in an interior room without windows and with as many walls between you and the outside winds as possible.
• Secure external doors and close all interior doors. Closed doors will help prevent damaging winds from entering rooms.
• Fill bathtubs and sinks with water to use later to flush toilets and wash up.
• If power is lost, turn off appliances to reduce power surge when electricity is restored. Do NOT use open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.

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For More information on how to prepare for Hanna, please reference the following resources:

• Hurricane Preparedness Information – Find answers to frequently asked hurricane-related questions.
• Preparedness Kits - Learn what you need in your disaster preparedness kit.
• Be Red Cross Ready – Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.