Statewide Crews Ready for Tropical Storm Don
TYLER, TX July 29, 2011 – Statewide preparations by Red Cross chapters have been underway since Tuesday in preparation for Tropical Storm Don. The storm is predicted to make landfall as early as Friday evening around Corpus Christi and travel through the South Central Hill Country to El Paso.
“Rain is badly needed in Texas, but Red Cross knows a storm of this size can produce flash flooding and displace hundreds of families,” said Debra Luera , CEO of Coastal Bend Red Cross Chapter in Corpus Christi. “The irony is…we still have teams responding to wildfires across the state, and now we are preparing for flooding.”
Chapters in the State of Texas are alerting shelter volunteers, assembling resources, and working closely with state emergency management and community partner. Equipment and resources are in position to provide shelter, food, mobile feeding, clean-up supplies, and mental health if flooding occurs.
Emergency shelters will welcome distraught evacuees to a safe, warm environment to ride out the storm. Red Cross volunteers will provide food, first aid, and understanding shoulders as families wait to hear if they can return home.
The Red Cross offers the following tips for those in an affected area to stay safer:
- Continue listening to local radio or television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions. If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
- Listen for Red Cross shelter information on all possible media outlets.
- Gather important papers and valuables to take with you.
- If evacuating to Red Cross shelter, please bring blankets, pillows, change of clothing for 3 days, and medications.
- Make arrangements for pets while you are away.
All Red Cross assistance is made possible by donations from our communities. If you would like to help people affected by Tropical Storm Don flooding, please contact (Chapter name) or visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
In the days and weeks to come, Red Cross teams will be coordinating with emergency officials and local community partners to help residents impacted by the flood get back on their feet.
