American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

HOOVER, Ala., April, 12, 2013 — The American Red Cross Alabama Region is assisting residents affected by the severe weather that moved through Alabama yesterday and last night. Preliminary damage reports indicate that approximately five (5) homes in the state sustained either major damage or were destroyed. Red Cross volunteers are on the ground assessing the damage in Fayette, Madison, Pickens, Walker, Winston, Houston, and Geneva Counties.

The Red Cross will provide assistance to those affected as needed and requested from other agencies responding. The Red Cross is working with other county emergency management agencies to determine where help may be needed.

This weather system affected other states across the United States and the Red Cross is responding to those affected. In Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee, the Red Cross is currently providing food, relief supplies and health and mental health services and will be in the affected areas today assessing the damage. Shelters were also opened in affected areas.

You can help get your family and home ready for severe weather with the official Tornado App from the American Red Cross. The Tornado app puts everything you need to know prepare for a tornado – and all that comes with it – in the palm of your hand. Download it directly from the iTunes or Google Play app stores.

HOOVER, Ala., April, 11, 2013 — The American Red Cross Alabama Region is monitoring the weather system that is moving across Alabama today and is prepared to respond if needed. Red Cross volunteers, supplies, and shelters are on standby, and will be ready to respond to whatever this system may bring.

The Red Cross urges residents to take steps now to stay safe when severe weather threatens. As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends individuals and families respond to severe weather in the following ways.

• Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind.
• Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are likely to occur. Many people struck by lightning are not in the area where rain is occurring.
• If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, take shelter in a substantial building or in a vehicle with the windows closed. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds.
• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. If thunder roars, go indoors! The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.
• Avoid electrical equipment and telephones. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead.
• Shutter windows and close outside doors securely. Keep away from windows.
• Do not take a bath, shower or use plumbing.
• If you are driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle.
• If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground; water; tall, isolated trees; and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are NOT safe.

Another thing people can do to help get ready is to download the free Red Cross apps for mobile devices. Apps are available to help during hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and wildfires, another which puts first aid information at someone’s fingertips and another that helps locate Red Cross shelters. The free apps are available for direct download from the Apple or Google Play for Android app stores.

APRIL 1, 2013-LITTLE ROCK: Authorities evacuated more than twenty homes on Starlite Road and Shade Tree Lane in the Northwoods subdivision in the community of Mayflower, thirty miles north of Little Rock Friday afternoon, after a crude oil pipe ruptured leaking oil into storm drainage ditches.

Authorities expressed concerns as the oil moved into drains under Highway 365 and across Interstate 40 towards Lake Conway. Emergency crews were able to stop the flow before it reached the lake.

In a released statement, ExxonMobile Pipeline Company said the cause of the leak is under investigation. More than 4,500 barrels have been removed since Friday’s spill. ExxonMobile has established a claims hotline number (1-800-876-9291) to assist individuals who might have been impacted by this event.

Red Cross Disaster Responders checked door to door for needs of neighbors who did not evacuate, as well as staying in touch for the immediate needs of those who did. At this time there has not been a request for Red Cross shelter. It is not known how soon residents will be able to return home.

Red Cross Responders did provide distribution of water to emergency and disaster crews working throughout the area to clear the oil spill. Crews continue working through the night to remove oil to allow for the return of displaced residents.

See more photos on Flickr >>

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 21, 2013, 2:00 p.m. (CST) — The American Red Cross Alabama Region is currently assisting residents affected by Monday’s severe weather around the state of Alabama. Updated damage reports indicate the following damage assessment for residences only.

• 437 homes total, affected in some way
• 69 destroyed
• 120 with major damage
• 248 with minor to little damage

This is with approximately 95% of damage assessment completed. It is taking more time to complete damage assessment due to the fact that the areas affected are widely scattered with some in rural areas.

At this time, all Red Cross shelters are on standby due to the cold temperatures forecasted for the state. Dozens of Red Cross volunteers and staff are providing relief to those affected in the northern parts of the state. In the coming days, Red Cross volunteers will be delivering meals, snacks, water, and bulk items (shovels, rakes, clean-up kits, etc.) to families in the affected areas of Cullman, Etowah, and Walker Counties.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 20, 2013, 1:00 p.m. (CST) — The American Red Cross Alabama Region is currently assisting residents affected by Monday’s severe weather around the state of Alabama. Updated damage reports indicate that 370 homes were affected in some way, with more than 65 destroyed, more than 95 with major damage, and more than 200 homes with minor to little damage. Approximately 95% of damage assessment has been completed. It is taking more time to complete damage assessment due to the fact that the areas affected are widely scattered with some in rural areas.

At this time all Red Cross shelters in the state have been closed. Shelters are on standby and will be re-opened if needed.

So far, 44 Red Cross volunteers and staff are providing relief to those affected in the northern parts of the state. Some volunteers were providing disaster assessment, some were working in shelters, and others are procuring and delivering supplies, food, and bulk items (shovels, rakes, etc.) to the affected families.

The following items were supplied to those affected on Tuesday:

• 900 snacks
• 500 meals
• 600 bottles of water
• 50 comfort kits
• 15 shovels and rakes
• 20 clean-up kits

The Red Cross is using mobile and web technology to get people more involved. You can get your family and home ready for severe weather with the official Tornado App from the American Red Cross. The Tornado app puts everything you need to know prepare for a tornado – and all that comes with it – in the palm of your hand. Download it directly from the iTunes or Google Play app stores. Also, the Red Cross recently launched a new online volunteer system across the country that is easy to use and better allows new volunteers to match their skills and interests to needs across the organization. This new online system, called Volunteer Connection, will help the Red Cross better recruit, manage and deploy our volunteers. If you’d like a demonstration of the new volunteer management system please contact your local Red Cross office.

N.W. Georgia Red Cross Continues Assistance in Bartow and Gordon Counties
Information Available by Calling 706-291-6648

ATLANTA, February 13, 2013 — Beginning today, all Red Cross disaster services for families impacted by the recent tornado will be centralized at the Red Cross’ Northwest Georgia Chapter (112 John Maddox Dr. NW, Rome, GA 30165), which serves Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Polk, Walker and Whitfield Counties. Anyone still in need of help from the Red Cross is asked to call 706-291-6648 to speak with a Red Cross caseworker.
Working one-on-one with families, Red Cross caseworkers can help develop a plan for recovery and provide emergency assistance for such things as food, clothing, relocation, prescription replacement, emotional support and referrals for additional resources.

“Though the emergency phase of our response has ended the Red Cross is not going away”, said Terri Badour- Duckett, CEO of Georgia’s Red Cross. “The caring staff and volunteers from our Northwest Georgia Chapter will maintain a constant presence in the community while continuing to assist those who were impacted by the storms.”

More than 150 Red Cross disaster responders have supported tornado and severe weather relief efforts in Georgia since January 30th. To date, Red Cross caseworkers have provided direct assistance for some 100 families in tornado-stricken Bartow and Gordon counties. The Red Cross has also provided more than 91 overnight shelter stays for displaced families and served more than 1,531 meals at NW Georgia shelters and through mobile outreach in partnership with the Salvation Army. Another 7,700 bottles of water and snacks, and more than 800 items such as clean-up kits, work gloves, pails and rakes were distributed in affected communities.