Are you prepared to travel?



Photo courtesy of newsone.com and AP.

As the weather warms up, we often pack our bags and begin to travel away from our safe haven here in WNY.  No longer are snowstorms, flooding, and the occasional house fire the only things you need to worry about... You may now be in crosshairs of an earthquake, tornado, or even a hurricane!
This is why we urge everyone to learn all they can about what you do during those types of disasters so that regardless of where you are in the world, you’ll be prepared!! So today, we’ve decided to talk about hurricanes!

What is a hurricane?

A hurricane is a strong storm that can cause life­and property­threatening hazards such as flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes.

What are the different type of hurricane warnings?

A hurricane watch is when conditions are a threat within 48 hours. Review your hurricane plans, keep informed and be ready to act if a warning is issued.

A hurricane warning is when conditions are expected within 36 hours. Complete your storm preparations and leave the area if directed to do so by authorities.

Don’t have your emergency kit yet?

Emergency preparedness kits should be made so that you can respond to any sort of emergency, whether it is a fire, flood, tornado or earthquake, you should be able to grab your kit and survive on your own for a minimum of 3 days. 



Haven’t made your kit yet? Want to learn more about hurricanes? Click here to learn more.

Travel advisory

If you’re among the thousands traveling this holiday, we hope that you’re taking steps to be prepared!  Here are some essentials that you should make sure you pack up in your cars this holiday season when traveling, whether to see the in-laws in Portland or the elves up at the North Pole! 

-AAA membership

-Activities for all travelers

-Adults and teens-books, magazines, IPod/MP3 player, DVD player

-Kids-books, IPod, paper and crayons (for coloring, making Cootie Catchers, Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe or the license plate game) and travel versions of games, like my personal favorites, Rush Hour and Bananagrams!

-A full tank of gas (One less thing to worry about if you get stuck in traffic)

-Battery operated radio

-Blankets for all travelers

-Car cell phone chargers

-Car scrapers/brush and shovel

-Coats, scarves, gloves and boots for all travelers

-Empty coffee cans or bottles (with lids!) for makeshift facilities

-Extra clothing for all travelers

-Extra food/snacks for all travelers

-Extra plastic bags

-Extra water for all travelers

-Map and directions

-Something brightly colored and reflective that can be used to call attention to your car if needed

While some of these items may seem a bit excessive to pack, if you find yourself stuck out on the road during a blizzard, accident related traffic jam or a closed road, you will be happy to have taken the extra time to be prepared! As some unlucky individuals recently discovered when stuck on the Thruway for 48 hours here in Buffalo, taking the time to pack up some comforts and essentials can go a long way in maintaining you and your family’s sanity in a rough situation!

You can click here for more winter preparedness tips, visit our store to purchase an emergency kit or check out FEMA's winter driving tips. 

If you think that your school, company or other organization would benefit from a Be Red Cross Ready presentation that addresses issues such as winter preparedness, please contact Denise Herkey-Jarosch, Regional Coordinator, NYS Citizens Preparedness Program at (716) 878-2231 to set up a presentation