Hurricane Irene Update #2

Hurricane Irene is now a category 3 storm and could affect a large swath of the East Coast later this week with wind and potential flooding.

American Red Cross chapters from Florida to Maine are getting ready. Irene is the first major hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Trained Red Cross disaster relief workers are being mobilized to prepare shelters and relief supplies for a full East Coast response. Within our Heart of Carolina Region and throughout North Carolina, nearly 100 Red Cross volunteers are either on standby or are on the move. Dozens of mobile feeding vehicles and trucks equipped with communications technology are already moving towards North Carolina and Virginia where Irene is predicted to make the first landfall.

Just as the Red Cross is preparing for Hurricane Irene, people along the coast also need to get ready. Residents along the coast should take the threat of Irene seriously, finalize their hurricane plans and update their emergency supply kits. They include a three-day supply of water ready for each person on hand, along with food that doesn’t require refrigeration, flashlights, a battery-operated radio and a first aid kit. A full list of suggested items is available on www.redcross.org

People in potential evacuation areas should familiarize themselves with the Red Cross Safe and Well website by visiting www.redcross.org/safeandwell so they can let their loved ones know what their situation is due to the hurricane. The site can be also be accessed on a smart phone, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. People can also update their Facebook and Twitter status through the Safe and Well site.

Affected residents should also download the free Red Cross shelter finder app in the Apple iTunes store.

The Red Cross today (Wednesday) is releasing new survey results on how Americans use social media during disasters. With a hurricane threatening, the survey shows the importance of a family communication plan, and social media can be one part of that.

The survey shows that the internet is the third most popular way for people to gather emergency information, behind only television and local radio. The survey also showed that 18 percent of both the general population and the online population specifically saying they use Facebook for emergency information. People have high expectations that response groups are monitoring social media in times of disaster – and responding to cries for help. Also, Four in five believe that response groups should be monitoring social media, and one in three believes that a request for help on social media should be responded to in less than an hour.

Remember, calling 9-1-1 is always the best first action to take when a person needs emergency assistance.

American Red Cross disaster preparedness starts long before a hurricane makes landfall, beginning with keeping supplies and equipment on stand-by all year to help people in need. On average, the Red Cross spends about $450 million on disaster relief every year. If someone would like to support Red Cross disaster efforts, they can make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Call (828) 258-3888 to make a donation to the Red Cross in WNC's response efforts.