Earl Reminds Us to Always be Prepared

Hurricane Earl has battered the northeastern Caribbean with heavy rain and sustained winds of 135 mph causing flooding and power outages. This category 4 storm is on a path projected to hit the East Coast. The U.S. National Hurricane Center warns residents from North Carolina to Maine to monitor the storm. These types of storms are a great reminder that it is important to be prepared.

The American Red Cross offers a training program "Disaster Volunteer Reserve," where individual volunteers can attend a short boot-camp training and will only be called upon when a catastrophic disaster strikes. Taking this proactive step ensures that you are in a position to help. The Dallas Area Chapter is offering several classes in September at various times and days.

The news of this current storm brings back the horrific imagines generated by Hurricane Katrina just five years ago. While many people have taken action, it is never too late to be "Ready When The Time Comes." This is a corporate volunteer program that will train shelter workers in advance of a storm.

Hurricanes are strong storms with the potential to create hazards such as flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes. Preparation is the best protection against these dangers. For more information you can review the Hurricane Safety Checklist.

Whether you take action as an individual or as a company, please consider being prepared before disaster strikes.

Read More

Hurricane Earl Gains Strength

Today the U.S. National Hurricane Center upgraded Hurricane Earl to a Category Four storm. Earl is being called the second major hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic season and could swipe parts of the eastern region of the country including North Carolina in the next few days.

Earl formed into a hurricane on Sunday and has rapidly grown in strength and intensity as it has already swept across many Caribbean islands. It is now sustaining winds of more than 135 miles per hour and is expected to produce dangerous rip currents as it approaches the coast of the U.S.

This hurricane season is expected to be an active one. That’s why it’s important to prepare yourself, your family and home in the event of a hurricane. The Red Cross recommends listening to a NOAA Weather Radio for the most up-to-date and critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS). For more tips on how to be hurricane ready, please visit www.redcross.org and click the Preparedness and Getting Trained tab to find Fast Facts on preparing for a hurricane.

Also, should you be involved in a disaster such as a hurricane, The Red Cross offers the Safe and Well service that allows you to alert your loved ones of your safety and whereabouts. By listing yourself on the Safe and Well website, your concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well” by clicking on the “search registrants” button. The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s first name, last name and a brief message.

For more information on these and other services provided by The Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org.

Read More