Red Cross preparing to respond across east coast if needed
BUFFALO, NY, October 26, 2012 – Hurricane Sandy may
take aim at the eastern coast of the United States as early as this weekend,
and from Florida to Maine, the American Red Cross is placing shelter locations,
trained disaster workers, vehicles and supplies on alert to respond if needed.
The Red Cross is also working in close collaboration with government officials
and community partners to coordinate potential response efforts.
2 volunteers
from the Western New York region will deploying ahead of the storm to assist in
those response efforts. Michael Hoplight of Niagara Falls will be leaving for
Albany this evening to serve as a logistics supervisor, and Tara Hughes of
Amherst is leaving for White Plains, NY Saturday, where she will serve as the
Disaster Mental Health lead for New York State. In addition, Emergency Response
Vehicles from Buffalo and Jamestown are on alert to be sent to affected regions
as needed, and it is expected that several additional volunteers from the
Western New York region will be deployed to assist in the response to Hurricane
Sandy in the coming days.
The American
Red Cross encourages people in the possible path of Hurricane Sandy to keep
informed about the storm’s progress and prepare now in case their community is
affected. The
American Red Cross Hurricane App puts lifesaving information right in the hands
of people who live in or who visit hurricane prone areas. This free
app—available in English or Spanish—is for use on both iPhone and Android
platforms. It gives users instant access to local and real time information on
what to do before, during and after hurricanes. The app also includes a number
of features that allow people to monitor personalized weather alerts in
locations where family and friends reside and share information with others in
their social networks who might also need it.
Other features of the
app include:
·
One
touch “I’m safe” messaging that allows users to broadcast reassurance to family
and friends via social media outlets that they are out of harm’s way;
·
Location-based
NOAA weather alerts for the United States and its territories users can share
on social networks;
·
Remote
monitoring of personalized weather alerts where family and friends reside
·
Locations
of open Red Cross shelters;
·
Simple
steps and checklists people can use to create a family emergency plan;
·
Preloaded
content that gives users instant access to critical action steps, even without
mobile connectivity;
·
Toolkit
with flashlight, strobe light and audible alarm; and
·
Badges
users can earn through interactive quizzes and share on social networks.
The Hurricane can be found in the iTunes or Google
Play app stores by searching for American Red Cross. The Red Cross First Aid App helps people learn what
to do in an emergency in case help is delayed. Download all of the preparedness
apps at redcross.org/mobile-apps. People can go to redross.org for additional
information and resources.
The American Red Cross spends an average of more
than $360 million each year preparing for and responding to disasters across
the country and around the world. Those wishing to help people affected by
disasters such as Hurricane Sandy are asked to make a donation to the American
Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-REDCROSS
or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
