Press Release: Red Cross Provides Comfort for Those Affected By Severe Weather

March 9, 2011

Red Cross Provides Comfort for Those Affected By Severe Weather

MOBILE, Ala., March 9, 2011 – The American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter is on the scene in Silverhill, Alabama to help those affected by the thunderstorm and possible tornados. We will be meeting with the families affected and will assist them with their immediate emergency needs. Red Cross emergency assistance can include food, clothing, shelter, emotional support, and referrals; the amount of assistance given is determined by a caseworker who meets with each family to assess their immediate emergency needs and provides assistance accordingly. The Red Cross is also providing canteen services to the victims and first responders working at the scene.

β€œIn the days to come, the Red Cross will be coordinating with emergency officials and local community partners to help residents impacted by the storms get back on their feet,” said Leisle Mims, Executive Director of the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter.

The Red Cross offers the following tips for those in the affected area to stay safer:

Read More >>


Photos: Tornado in Estill Springs, TN

March 1, 2011

Tornado in Estill Springs, TN - Feb 2011

Tornado in Estill Springs, TN - Feb 2011 Tornado in Estill Springs, TN - Feb 2011 Tornado in Estill Springs, TN - Feb 2011

See entire “2011 Spring Tornadoes” set on Flickr >>


Disaster Alert: Severe Weather in Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky

March 1, 2011

Disaster Alert

Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky – Severe storms caused flooding and a tornado that destroyed homes, damaged others, closed roads, stranded travelers, left thousands without power, and prompted the evacuation of residents within the affected areas in several portions of the three states on Monday. Multiple fatalities reported in Tennessee.

Tennessee chapters deployed Disaster Action Team members, staffed local and state Emergency Operation Centers, dispatched 2 Emergency Response Vehicles, opened 3 shelters, provided Mass Care, and assisted disaster victims, as needed.

Disaster Action Team members in Indiana chapters opened a shelter and an evacuation center, supported another evacuation center, and provided Mass Care to evacuees and emergency responders.

Kentucky Chapters deployed Disaster Action Team members, contacted residents affected by the storm, and stand ready to provide additional assistance, if needed.


Disaster Alert: Ice Jams and Flooding in Montana

February 17, 2011

Disaster Alert

Montana – Ice jams caused parts of the Musselshell River near Ft. Peck to overflow it banks flooding roads including part of Highway 87 yesterday and making some houses in a subdivision inaccessible.

ARC of Montana Chapter will be monitoring the situation and update the Disaster Operations Center of any developments.


Disaster Alert: Winter Storm in Oklahoma

February 10, 2011

Disaster Alert

Oklahoma – Heavy snow and strong winds created hazardous conditions in Enid, Pawhuska and Tulsa among other cities yesterday. There were reports of dozens of injuries related to this incident. The State activated the Emergency Operations Center.

The Tulsa Area Chapter opened warming stations for stranded travelers and placed other volunteers on alert.

Chapters throughout the state placed shelters on standby.

State and other local Emergency Operations Centers are staffed by local ARC volunteers.


Disaster Update: Winter Storm Shelters in OK

February 2, 2011

Disaster Update

Oklahoma – Red Cross is closing its stranded motorist shelters in all communities except Vinita and Miami. The Red Cross, working with local and area emergency, law enforcement and other agencies has been successful in helping people get back to their vehicles and safely on their way.

We expect that the shelters in Miami and Vinita will remain open at least through tonight.

The next Red Cross operations briefing will be Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 in our Emergency Operations Center. Media is welcome to attend the briefing at the Tulsa Area Chapter, located at 11th & Hwy. 169.

Red Cross Stranded Motorist Shelter locations remaining open:

Read More >>


Stories: Shelter Resident in Chicago Tells Her Story

February 2, 2011

Winter Storm (Feb 2011)

This story comes from Chicago, where the local chapter housed over 360 people in various shelters overnight on February 01, 2011.

Barbie lives in Wriglyville and teaches preschool in Hide Park. After school let out she got onto Lake Shore Drive like usual and it began to back up. As traffic moved slowly she turned on her turn signal and thought she exited onto Belmont but about a half an hour later she realized she had only made a lane change and was still on Lake Shore Drive. The white out was so bad that she had passed the Belmont exit. The cars ceased to move.

She was stalled on the roadway until about 1:30 a.m., at which point she began to see firemen coming to each car and rescuing people. They took her to a warming bus where she waited until about 4:00 a.m. From there she was transferred to another bus that took her and others who were stranded on Lake Shore Drive to the Red Cross shelter located at Malcom X college. Upon arrival at the shelter, she was offered water, coffee, blankets, food and a cot by the Red Cross volunteers.

“The experience itself was horrible but I cannot tell you how thankful I am that the Red Cross was there. I am still in awe about this whole experience, but the Red Cross support was the shining moment in my night.”


Photos: February Winter Storm

February 2, 2011

Winter Storm (Feb 2011)

Winter Storm (Feb 2011) Winter Storm (Feb 2011) Winter Storm (February 2011) Winter Storm (Feb 2011)

See entire “2011 February Winter Storm” set on Flickr >>


Disaster Update: Winter Storm Operations in Tulsa, OK

February 2, 2011

Disaster Alert

Oklahoma – The Red Cross housed 65-70 people overnight in its stranded motorist shelters, providing people who could not reach their destinations with a safe, warm place to stay, a cot, and hot meals.

Today, the Red Cross will focus on assisting our shelter residents get back to their vehicles and safely on their way as soon as possible, although our shelters will remain in operation as long as needed. Red Cross will work with area and local emergency, law enforcement and other agencies on transportation for the shelter residents.

The stranded motorist shelter that was opened in Warner will close this morning due to lack of need.

The next Red Cross operations briefing will be Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 in our Emergency Operations Center. Media is welcome to attend the briefing at the Tulsa Area Chapter, located at 11th & Hwy. 169.

Both Red Cross Centers in Tulsa and all Red Cross blood drives in Oklahoma have been cancelled today.

This will increase the number of units lost since the storm started to 500+.

Blood deliveries are being made to area hospitals as they requested it.

Red Cross Stranded Motorist Shelter locations:

Read More >>


Disaster Alert: Winter Storm in Massachusetts / Connecticut / Pennsylvania / New Jersey / New York

February 2, 2011

Disaster Alert

Massachusetts / Connecticut / Pennsylvania / New Jersey / New York – A massive winter storm affected several states throughout the northeastern states with heavy snow, ice, and gusty winds that may cause power outages and road closures today.

Chapters activated Winter Storm Plan, convened on state coordinating calls to ensure all chapters were aware the of level of response in their region, conducted call downs to identify human and material resources, communicated with local and state emergency management and staffed Emergency Operation Centers.


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