• If you are looking for loved ones on Fort Hood you can visit the Red Cross Safe and Well List. In order to complete a search you will need to know the phone number or address of your loved one.
• If you are on the post, we encourage you to register on Red Cross Safe and Well List so others know you are safe.
• If you have spoken to loved ones on Fort Hood, you can register them on Safe and Well by visiting www.redcross.org.
• Red Cross personnel who work on Fort Hood have been contacted and are safe.
• The Red Cross has supplied nearly 150 units of blood and blood products to Darnall Army Medical Center and Scott and White Hospital. If you are eligible to give blood or have questions about donating, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543) to make an appointment or visit us online at givelife.org.
• Scott & White Hospital has additional information about blood donation needs.
• Families seeking more information can call the Army hotlines at (254) 724-4376 or (866) 836-2751.
• US Army is tweeting information.

Red Cross Strives to Help Disaster’s Vulnerable Population

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, October 20, 2009 — In testimony to a U.S. House of Representatives Committee, the American Red Cross offered recommendations on ways to better meet the needs of every community member affected by disaster, especially those with special requirements.

Trevor Riggen, Red Cross senior director of disaster services testified Tuesday as to how the Red Cross is meeting the needs of the very young, the elderly, and those with disabilities. While there is no “one size fits all” answer, the Red Cross has put in place plans to help this most vulnerable population.

“Our nation continues to make improvements in our ability to respond to and recover from disasters,” Riggen said. “As a nation, we are better prepared for disasters than at any time in our history.”

During a disaster, children may feel ill at ease in a shelter. Their daily routine is disrupted. The Red Cross has special help for children during this traumatic time, such as special areas for families to sleep, and space in the shelter for family interaction and child care.

Read more >>

Singing is a big part of the American Samoan culture. Groups are able to break into song at any time in perfect harmony. The local Red Cross volunteers have been leading all the volunteers in group songs after every morning and evening operation meeting. It is a positive and peaceful way to start and end the day.

Remembering the Loma Prieta Earthquake

Friday, October 16, 2009 — Twenty years ago today, the lives of many Californians got an unexpected jolt. The San Francisco Bay Area was struck by a massive 6.9 magnitude earthquake, killing dozens and injuring many more. But what was a tragedy also became a testament to the willingness of individuals, communities and a whole country to come to the help of another.

In San Francisco, California, the Loma Prieta earthquake caused extensive damage to homes, cars and other personal property. After the quake, American Red Cross disaster workers provided almost instant access to desperately needed resources. Volunteers from the Santa Clara Valley Chapter and the Palo Alto Area Chapter (both organizations are now known as the Silicon Valley Chapter) were dispatched throughout Santa Clara County, where building damage and destruction was high, but fatalities and injuries were low.

The first priority of the local Red Cross chapters was to set up shelters and service centers. Each shelter offered warm beds, first aid, stress counseling and a platoon of volunteers willing to be there and listen.

Read more>>
Photo taken by Joseph Matthews/American Red Cross

Disaster Alert

Kentucky – A tornado touched down in Casey County on Friday and damaged dozens of homes and prompted the evacuation of residents. The Central Kentucky chapter opened a shelter and provided food and water services for the evacuees and emergency responders.

American Red Cross Chief Nurse Advises Getting
H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccines

WASHINGTON, October 6, 2009 —With the first doses of the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine being shipped and seasonal flu shots underway, people should be getting vaccinations when they can for these flu viruses, said Sharon Stanley, Chief Nurse of the American Red Cross.

“Dealing with the flu is a three-step process: Get vaccinated, stop the spread with basic hygiene and stay home if sick,” Stanley said.

Getting vaccinated against both the H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu is the most important step.

“Make sure you and your loved ones are vaccinated this flu season,” urges Stanley.

While vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for controlling influenza, Stanley said that people can help reduce their exposure by using good hand-washing hygiene, social distancing and covering their cough.

>> Read more and watch video with Chief Nurse Sharon Stanley

Southwest Airlines Delivers “Comfort” to Americans
Displaced by Disasters
Partnership with American Red Cross will Help 10,000 People Nationwide

WASHINGTON, Monday, October 05, 2009 — Southwest Airlines employees have partnered with the American Red Cross to show their “LUV” to 10,000 people displaced by disasters across the nation. In an unprecedented show of support, the Dallas-based air carrier, currently headquartered at Love Field, encouraged employees to ”Share the Spirit” by collecting, assembling and distributing “comfort kits” to Red Cross chapters in all 68 cities the airline serves.

Comfort kits are an essential part of a Red Cross disaster response, particularly those affected by a home fire, the most common type of disaster the Red Cross responds to on a daily basis.

Read more>>

The following information shows our total service delivery since the beginning of the Georgia floods:

• Shelters opened: 7
• Shelter Overnight Stays: 651
• Meals served: 3,611
• Snacks served: 6,423
• Comfort kits distributed: 389
• Clean up kits distributed: 367
• Emergency Response Vehicles on the ground: 7
• Mental Health Consultations: 133
• Health Services Consultations:168
• Red Cross workers involved: 213

American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles distributed 3,500 disaster preparedness packs to school age children on a first-come first-served basis on Saturday, September 12th, at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church 5th Annual Back-to-School Giveaway & Health Fair.

Disaster Alert

Georgia – Heavy rains caused minor flooding in Gilmore County yesterday resulting in the evacuation of about 22 people. The Northeast Georgia chapter has a shelter and shelter team on standby.

North Carolina – Tropical Storm Danny

Tropical Storm Danny is moving northwest towards Cape Hatteras. The American Red Cross chapters and volunteers and resources are on standby in anticipation of Danny and continue to monitor the storm. The Red Cross has advice and safety tips for you to follow in case Tropical Storm Danny causes dangerous waves and rip tides where you are. Rip currents can form in any large open water area such as low spots and breaks in sandbars, or near structures such as jetties and piers.  A band of water a few feet wide may rush back through a gap in a sandbar made by breaking waves.  

If you are caught in a rip current, stay calm and don’t fight the current.

• Swim parallel to shore until free of the current.
• Once free, turn and swim toward shore.
• If you feel that you won’t make it in to the shore, draw attention to yourself by waving and calling for help.

Disaster Alert

Vermont– A storm in Rutland County caused flooding in several homes on Friday night. The Central Vermont–New Hampshire Valley chapter deployed a Disaster Action Team (DAT), opened a shelter and provided assistance to the affected residents.

Red Cross reminds you to stay prepared

Editorial note: Call (202) 303-5551 to speak with an American Red Cross spokesperson.

WASHINGTON DC, August 17, 2009 — With two storms swirling in the Atlantic Ocean, the American Red Cross issues a reminder for people who live in hurricane-prone areas to update their preparedness plans.

“Just this weekend Tropical Storm Claudette formed very quickly in the Gulf of Mexico, proof you don’t always have a lot of time to get ready for a storm,” said Joe Becker, senior vice president of Red Cross Disaster Services, “If someone lives where these storms can cause problems, they need to get ready now.”

All eyes are on Hurricane Bill, a Category One storm with sustained winds of 75 mph. According to the National Hurricane Center, Bill could become a major hurricane later this week, throwing wind and rough surf at the East Coast.

Claudette, downgraded to a Tropical Depression, may drop three to six inches of rain across parts of Florida and Alabama today, heading into Mississippi tonight. Tropical Depression Ana could dump two to four inches of rain today on Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic.
The Red Cross offers steps people can take to make sure they’re prepared:

• Know the difference between a Hurricane Watch and Warning.
• If you are under a Hurricane Watch, hurricane conditions are a threat within 36 hours. Review your hurricane plans, keep informed and be ready to act if a warning is issued.
• A Hurricane Warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours. Complete your storm preparations and leave the area if directed to do so by authorities.
• Check your disaster supplies kit now. Gather basic items needed during an emergency and store them in a sturdy, sealable, easy-to-carry container.
• Go over your emergency plan. Identify two meeting places, one near your home, and one outside your area in case you can’t return home. Make plans for your pets. Select an out-of-area emergency contact person.
• Be informed. Know how local officials will contact you. Listen to local radio, television or NOAA weather radio channels during the emergency and follow the guidance of your local officials.
• Don’t forget about the Red Cross Safe and Well website, an easy way to notify loved ones of your well-being. You can sign up on the web site or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Friends and family can then search for your message by using your phone number or complete address.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands- Tropical Storm Ana
A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Puerto Rico Chapter coordinating calls with potentially affected islands. Disaster Operations Center provided a small leadership team for support of the operation. Service Delivery Plan is being developed.