Red Cross urges preparedness for storms

Though it comes every year, people are generally still under-prepared when it comes time for hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November. Pat Smythe of the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula said surveys tell the Red Cross this is still the case.

“The biggest things we find is people need to be prepared – 68 percent of people are not prepared for a hurricane or any other type of disaster,” said Smythe.

Smythe said the simple things, such as having a gallon of water a day per person, and food, set aside can make a big difference.

“If Hurricane Katrina taught us anything, it’s that we are not going to be able to get to everybody all at once. And it’s hard, in a tough economy, to have things set aside; but the bottom line is when you can’t get out, are you going to survive?”

Since January, the local Red Cross has been gearing up for any potential activity during the 2009 hurricane season, as well as responding to local disasters, such as fires, that make up much of their disaster assistance. From July 2008 to February 2009, 40 families have been helped with basic needs, such as food, water and a safe place to stay.

Smythe said people often have no idea the partnerships and planning that go into a shelter situation – especially with some of the changes that have been made since Hurricane Katrina.

“We are in multi-footprint buildings, mostly,” said Smythe. “We look at shelters that maybe have outbuildings to accommodate pets and buildings that have generators to accommodate medically fragile folks. There is a lot that happens behind the scenes. But people can show up and just know that we are there.”

He added that they “don’t do it alone,” as the Red Cross has many partnerships that take place again behind the scenes, when things are calm, so that when there is a disaster, everyone is ready. Often, shelters are placed in churches, fire stations and schools, and the shelter team is trained in advance in all the aspects of what might need to be done to help people stay calm and safe while they are sheltering there.

He added that the local Red Cross has about 400 volunteers – 100 or so that work on the local disasters such as home fires and about 300 that are on hand to travel to other national or international disasters. The local Red Cross offers training for both.

“We have people that sign up and only want to work in their county, and then we have the people that go when there is an earthquake in Gnome, Alaska — we do that also.”

He noted that all of their training is centrally located now, at the Blue Hen Corporate Center in Dover.

Smythe said the most important thing people can do to get ready for personal disasters is, again, to prepare.

“Have insurance,” Smythe advised. “Whether you own the home or are a renter, people are losing everything and have nowhere to turn.” He said that renters often mistakenly think that the landlord’s insurance will cover any belongings they might lose in a house fire.

As for the bigger, more publicized disasters, such as hurricanes, Smythe had two pieces of advice.

“When they say leave, leave. And when you go, take your disaster kit with you.”

The Red Cross suggests a list of items to go in a portable kit, stored in a sturdy, easy-to-carry, water-resistant container. The Red Cross also recommends having at least two weeks’ worth of supplies at home and to keep a smaller such kit in the trunk of the car.

• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) and ready-to-eat non-perishable foods, such as tuna fish, peanut butter, crackers, canned fruit, juice boxes, etc.;

• A manual can opener;

• A battery-powered or hand-cranked radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries;

• A first aid kit and reference guide;

• Prescription and non-prescription medication items;

• Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance policies and Social Security cards;

• Cash, as ATMs and credit cards won’t work if the power is out;

• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members;

• A change of clothes for everyone, including long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy footwear;

• One blanket or sleeping bag per person;

• Emergency tools, including tools to turn off utilities;

• An extra set of home and car keys;

• An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, extra batteries for hearing aids;

• Pet supplies;

Know what to do if a Hurricane Watch is issued:

• Listen to weather updates from your battery-powered or hand-cranked radio.

• Bring in outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture, hanging plants, bicycles, toys and garden tools; anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.

• Close all windows and doors. Cover windows with storm shutters or pre-cut plywood.

• If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture or move it to a higher floor to protect it from flooding.

• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.

• Check your disaster supplies kit to make sure items have not expired.

Know what to do if a Hurricane Warning is issued:

• Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.

• If in a manufactured home, check tie-downs and evacuate as told by local authorities.

• Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.

• If you are not advised to evacuate, stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors.

• Do not use open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.

• If power is lost, turn off appliances to reduce damage from a power surge when electricity is restored.

Thunderstorms not to be taken lightly either. And, as thunderstorms are as common as seeing the sun shine in late spring and summer, the Red Cross offers advice on dealing with them as well.

Before lightning strikes:

• Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder.

• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for the latest weather forecasts.

As the storm approaches:

• Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed and avoid convertibles.

• Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. (Leaving electric lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.)

• Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.

• Turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressor, resulting in a costly repair job!

• Draw blinds and shades over windows. If windows break due to objects blown by the wind, the shades will prevent glass from shattering into your home.

If you’re caught outside:

• If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.

• If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately!

• Go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles, or metal objects. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.

• Be a very small target! Squat low to the ground. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible.

• Do not lie flat on the ground – this will make you a larger target!

After the storm:

• Stay away from storm-damaged areas.

• Listen to the radio for information and instructions.

If someone is struck by lightning:

• People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely.

• Call for help. Get someone to dial 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) number.

• The injured person has received an electrical shock and may be burned, both where they were struck and where the electricity left their body. Check for burns in both places. Being struck by lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones and loss of hearing or eyesight.

• Give first aid. If breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, look and care for other possible injuries. Learn first aid and CPR by taking a Red Cross first aid and CPR course. Call your local Red Cross chapter for class schedules and fees.

The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula covers the state of Delaware and six counties in Maryland: Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Dorchester, Talbot and Caroline. For more information on how to get prepared for the season, or for more information on becoming a Red Cross volunteer or taking first aid courses, visit www.redcrossdelmarva.org online.