American Red Cross Responds to Flooding in Mecklenburg

American Red Cross volunteers are assessing the needs of the evacuation of eight homes due to flash flooding. Families evacuated have been taken to the Mecklenburg Volunteer Fire Company, County RD 6, Mecklenburg, NY.  Water and clean up kits will be available for individuals affected by flooding this afternoon.  If you have been affected in flooded areas and need assistance in a non-emergency situation, please call the American Red Cross at 607-734-3711 and a volunteer responder will assist you. 

"Right now, we're focused on making sure everyone has a safe place to stay," said Judy Coleman, Disaster Services Coordinator," but we'll also be there to help people get back on their feet after the flood waters recede.”

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Conditions that cause floods include heavy or steady rain for several hours or days that saturates the ground. Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area.

The American Red Cross urges you to prepare.  You will be better prepared to withstand a flood if you have the following items available – packed and ready to go in case you need to evacuate your home

• Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
• Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First Aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
• Tools/supplies for securing your home
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
• Rain gear
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• Camera for photos of damage

Responding Appropriately During a Flood

• Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS)
• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
• When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, 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 quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
• Because standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover flooding, it is important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S. For more flood safety tips and information on flood insurance, please visit the National Flood Insurance Program Web site at www.FloodSmart.gov.

Recover After Flood ,Recovery Tips:

• Return home only when officials have declared the area safe.
• Before entering your home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks or other damage.
• Parts of your home may be collapsed or damaged. Approach entrances carefully. See if porch roofs and overhangs have all their supports.
• Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes that may have come into your home with the floodwater.
• If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.
• If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water.
• Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater.
• Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel and damaged fuel containers are hazardous. Check with local authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk.
• During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots.
• Make sure your food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils and baby bottle nipples. When in doubt, throw it out!
• Contact your local or state public health department to see if your water supply might be contaminated. You may need to boil or treat it before use. Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula!

Let Your Family Know You Are Safe

If your community has experienced a disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well web site to let your family and friends know about your welfare. You may also call 1-866-GET-INFO to register yourself and your family.

Hurricane Drill "Rocs" Disaster Volunteers

Volunteers get the morning briefing inside the
"Hurricane Roc" response headquarters

In reality, the weather was beautiful across Western New York and the Finger Lakes on Saturday. But inside the Disaster Operations Center at 50 Prince Street in Rochester, "Hurricane Roc" had struck the region!

Nearly 100 Red Cross volunteers from across the newly-combined Western New York and Finger Lakes Regions came together for a disaster drill that tested our ability to respond should an actual disaster take place. 

"No matter what else happens, this has already been a success," said NYS Disaster Assessment lead Sarah Perkins as she kicked off Saturday's exercise. "You have all come together as one region. Anything else is icing."

Disaster Assessment teams hit the streets
and reported back to headquarters

The volunteers quickly went to work responding to "Hurricane Roc". The scenario included massive flooding and some power outages, leading to mandatory evacuations in some areas. Disaster Assessment teams went out into the field and reported back to headquarters, helping all the various activities including sheltering, feeding and logistics to know what was needed where. To keep responders on their toes, various scenarios were added to the mix during the drill, including a flooding in a previously unreported neighborhood and an outbreak of SARS inside a Red Cross shelter.

NYS Disaster Assessment Lead Sarah Perkins discusses
Saturday's Drill with Ashley Zilka and WROC News 8.

"It's important because if we do it now we can make mistakes that we won't make the next time around," said Emergency Services Director Tim Pitoniak. "We get to build relationships and learn where we have strengths and weaknesses, so we're prepared when something like this actually happens, which it can and will."

"The original storm track for Sandy brought it right into this area. It was only by a weather change that it didn't happen here," added Perkins, who had just returned from a deployment to Oklahoma. "So much was accomplished here in just one day, with fruits that will benefit us all for months to come."