Is Your Local Red Cross Chapter Prepared?

Posted by Brian Scoles, Public Relations Director for the Upstate Chapter

With Hurricanes Katrina and Rita still fresh on our minds and pictures of New Orleans once again splashed on the news, Hurricane Season 2006 officially began at midnight on June 1st. I want to ask you, are you ready?

Rest assured, the Upstate Chapter is ready.

I realize that we don't get the full brunt of a hurricane this far inland, but we could experience the secondary affects of a hurricane that hits the South East. What types of secondary affects could we see here in the Upstate? Severe thunderstorms, high winds, flash flooding, and tornadoes-all of which are very real possibilities that could force us from our homes and thrust us into survival mode.

Should any of these situations strike the Upstate and cause residents to evacuate from their homes, the Upstate Chapter is ready to open shelters, feed all who seek refuge, and begin to meet many of the residents' disaster-caused needs. Chapter volunteers and employees have taking training specifically for hurricane response. The chapter has been updating its agreements with local schools to ensure they are ready should we get notice that evacuees are on the way. The chapter has stocked food, water, cots, comfort kits, client assistance cards, generators, and many more supplies that will enable our clients to begin the rebuilding process. We also have partnerships with local governmental and non-governmental agencies to provide medical and emotional care or special needs a shelter resident may have.

The Upstate Chapter has done its part to be ready in an emergency. Have you done all you can to get ready? The Red Cross strongly encourages Upstate residents to have enough supplies on hand to survive on their own for up to the first 72 hours after a disaster strikes. One lesson that everyone should have learned from Katrina/Rita is that sometimes disaster conditions are so devastating that emergency services may not be able to respond until conditions stableize.

In advance of any disaster, you should stock the following supplies for all members of your household in a duffle bag or large container:
Flashlight with plenty of extra batteries
Battery powered radio with extra batteries
First aid kit
Prescription medications in their original bottle, plus copies of prescriptions
Eyeglasses with copy of prescription
Water at least one gallon per person, more is better
Foods that don’t require refrigeration or cooking
Infant items and elderly household members items
Medical equipment and devices such as dentures, crutches, prostheses, etc.
Change of clothes for each household member
Sleeping bag or bedroll and pillow for each household member
Checkbook, cash, and credit cards
Map of the area

Sounds like a lot, I know, but these items may very well save your life if you simply prepare ahead of time. For a more preparedness tips, you can contact the Upstate South Carolina Chapter at (864) 271-8222 or log on to www.redcross.org.