AMERICAN RED CROSS OPENS SHELTERS FOR ICE STORM VICTIMS
Residents Seek Comfort from Power Outages across Northern Arkansas
January 27, 2008 – LITTLE ROCK - American Red Cross is providing emergency care to Arkansans left in the cold and dark from the first line of freezing precipitation immobilizing the state last night and today, with the probability of more winter weather tonight.
Shelters are open at the following locations:
- East Side Baptist Church, Mountain Home
- National Guard Armory, 1333 East Main, Siloam Springs
- First Baptist Church, 553 Highway 62 East, Salem
- Assembly of God Church, 10750 Highway 63 West, Viola
- First Methodist Church, 115 South 3rd Street, Marmaduke
- 1st Baptist Church, 120 North 3rd Street, Paragould
- 1st Baptist Church, 14 Choctaw Court, Cherokee Village
We remind Arkansans to be especially careful with the use of heating sources including generators and fireplaces,” stated Brigette Williams, spokesperson for the American Red Cross. “With Red Cross chapters already responding to more than one fire a day, the improper use of heating sources increases the potential for disasters, including injury to people or property.”
If the Power Goes Out in your home:
- Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.
- Use items in the refrigerator first, then freezer, then non-perishable foods.
- Use generators correctly – If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors. Never operate it inside, including the basement, garage, carport or near any open windows. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
- Do not hook up a generator directly to your home’s wiring.
Hazardous Winter Travel: The American Red Cross strongly urges everyone to monitor weather reports and follow the directions of local authorities. If travel is absolutely necessary during potentially dangerous winter weather, inform someone of your travel route, destination and expected arrival time. Store a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle and remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice building up in the gas tank and fuel lines.
In Case of Snow or Black Ice:
- Stay with your vehicle. Do not try to walk to safety as you risk developing hypothermia and/or frostbite.
- Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
- Start the vehicle and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won’t back up in the vehicle.
- As you sit, move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to help you stay warm.
- Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.
- Leave the overhead light on inside the vehicle when the engine is running so you can be seen.
- After the snow has stopped falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.
For more information about how you can prepare for a variety of winter weather-related disasters including winter and ice storms, power outages and visit www.redcross.org.
For more information from the American Red Cross of Greater Arkansas visit
www.redcrosslittlerock.org. For media inquiries, please contact Bridget Williams at (501) 748-1030.
Posted by amrecro 
