“It’s devastation...You have buildings that are no longer there. People were sucked out of their homes and wound up in fields.”

Dan McCurry spoke to the Asheville-Citizen Times about the tornadoes that ripped through Rutherford County this week.

Read more here.

Who Says Preparedness Isn't Stylish?

During a blackout, earthquake, or other scary emergency, aesthetics are likely to be the last thing on your mind. But that doesn't mean they don't still serve an important purpose, as Eton's Turbodyne series of American Red Cross-branded emergency gear shows. Designed by Whipsaw, this gear is to getting out of a jam what the iPod is to pumping out the jams: form married to function in the best possible way.

The industrial design of the Turbodyne set was meant "to be more emotional and more appealing than the typical emergency tool, so that people wanted to own them and use them on a regular basis, even when [there is] no emergency," Whipsaw president Dan Harden tells Co.Design. Indeed, these look more like designer toys than dependable tools at first glance. But that emotional appeal has a serious purpose, Harden explains: "Pride of ownership also means they will more likely be out and ready for use instead of being relegated to the basement or the emergency kit."

"On emergency products, non-ornamental and informative aesthetics can play an important functional and human factors role," Harden continues. "Bold forms, expressive details and high contrast colors can express function and operation so clearly that it takes no thought to find and use the product - which is of course good in an emergency when you just can’t think." For additional information on the products in this series, or to make a purchase, go to the American Red Cross store.

(Excerpted from an article by John Pavlus; originally printed by Fast Company Design at http://www.fastcodesign.com/)

Maybe We Should Start Including LightSabers in Our First Aid Kits...

15 Western Carolinians Red Cross Volunteers Deploy East to Help with Hurricane Irene Disaster Response

In anticipation of Hurricane Irene’s landfall tomorrow along the North Carolina coast, 15 American Red Cross volunteers from WNC and the upstate of South Carolina leave this morning to help with disaster relief efforts.

Five of the volunteers are going in a medical services capacity; nine will work in damage assessment and one is serving as the site director for the Raleigh area. All fifteen are highly-trained in their respective roles and are likely to be deployed for approximately two weeks.

In all, around 70 volunteers in WNC and the upstate are on alert and may be called up for service should the need arise.

“Without our committed volunteers, the Red Cross could not fulfill its mission,” said Ann Wright, CEO of the upstate South Carolina region. “We’re still hoping for the best with this hurricane, but we have to be prepared for the worst.”

If you are in the storm's path, please read our Hurricane Preparedness and Safety Checklists.

You can help people affected by disasters like floods and tornadoes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. To make a donation, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross officer or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. To learn more about the work of the American Red Cross in the U.S. and around the world, please visit www.redcross.org.

Social Media Aftershock

Did you feel the Earthquake?

Just one minute after the earthquake shook the East Coast yesterday 40,000 tweets were blasted out about the quake. This just shows the speed and power of social media in the times of disasters. We want to invite you to join the National American Red Cross today at 3:00 pm EST for Facebook DC Live: Social Media’s Role in Disaster Preparedness & Response to hear more about this emerging topic.

Tune in online to see Trevor Riggen, our Senior Director of Disaster Services, discuss a survey the Red Cross conducted regarding how Americans use social media during disasters. The event will be a live webcast on Facebook here.

You can RSVP and share the event information with your communities here. If you can’t watch today, the event will be archived for viewing later. In addition, we will be releasing the full survey results and a press release this afternoon.

Watch live streaming video from facebookdclive at livestream.com

Two Chances

Tune in today at 4:45pm to The Matt Mittan Show on 570 AM or at 5:00pm to 880 AM The Revolution to hear a briefing on Red Cross operations in response to Hurricane Irene from Steve Dykes, Director of Marketing for Western North Carolina and the Upstate Regions.

Eye on Emily

As Tropical Storm Emily makes its way across the Dominican Republic and Haiti today, the Red Cross is watching the storm closely to see how it develops. Red Cross response teams are on standby in Haiti, where ongoing disaster risk reduction programs are also helping Haitians prepare for hurricane season.

There is a chance that Emily will weaken as she moves over high terrain in Haiti and the DR. Here at the Red Cross, we are watching her every move to anticipate the response that will be needed.

You can watch with us as well – take a look at these infographics and links that explain how hurricanes are formed and what their life cycles tend to look like:

• National Weather Service: Tropical Storm Emily
• A History of Hurricanes in the US

Diagram below via Infographic

Attack of the Middle-Aged Gym Rats!!!

We go to great efforts to prepare and educate the public about what to do in the event of an emergency. Earthquake? We've got you covered (heh). Floods? We know what to do. Tornadoes? We've got an ERV for that. But... 17 middle-aged gym rats? Ummm... *scratches head*

"Korean scientists think they have determined what caused a 39-story Seoul skyscraper to shake violently for 10 minutes, causing the building to be evacuated for two days.

Earthquake? Nope.

Gale-force winds? Sorry.

Volcanic activity? Unh-uh.

No, the culprit, they say, was 17-middle-aged gym rats working off the midriff bulge in a Tae Bo class.

Apparently, while dancing and boxing to 'The Power' by Snap on July 5, the exercisers not only shook their booties, they shook the building."

Confused? Us too. Read more about how this happened here.

You've got the power... to be prepared.

A New Era of Fire Safety?

What ever happened to stop, drop and roll?


Found on Twitter via @nycbergs.

Take a Cue from Tom Hanks!

We're currently recruiting Tom Hanks to be our newest Red Cross volunteer? Why? Because he knows the importance of knowing the weather forecast! That may seem a little pedestrian to some but knowing your local weather forecast can save lives.

With all of the weather-related disasters reaching the headlines recently, you can safely assume the Red Cross knows the value of using forecasts to prepare for and respond to disasters.

So how about you? Do you know the predicted high temperature in your area today? Do you know if there is an ozone alert? Or a heat index alert? Do you know what those terms mean?

Having this basic knowledge can mean the difference between life or death.

But it doesn't have to all be doom and gloom. Take a hint from Tom Hanks and have fun with it!

Parsons The New School of Design’s PETLab has teamed up with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre to develop a set of games about disaster preparedness in the face of flooding, drought and other climate change related issues. The initiative, which we call "Games for Disaster Preparedness", are playful, often non-digital activities that actively engage participants in experiential learning, through the simulation of complex decisions with consequences. In other words: fun capacity building.

So head on over to the PETLab/Red Cross Climate Center website to try your luck in a round of Weather or Not!, Telephone or Before the Storm. In fact, play with the whole family!

Red Cross Responds to Strong Overnight Storms in WNC; Emergency Teams and Response Vehicle Dispatched

The American Red Cross in WNC is responding to a series of strong overnight storms in Jackson, Swain and Graham Counties to assist victims who have sustained damage to their property and businesses.

Currently, two 4-person volunteer disaster response teams from the region are responding to the storms, conducting damage assessment and serving snacks and refreshments from the Emergency Response Vehicle to victims and responders from law enforcement and fire departments. Affected residents and businesses are being offered clean-up supplies, tarps to cover damaged roofs and other assistance as warranted.

“We are working closely with emergency management officials in all three heavily effected counties to assess damage and what is needed on the ground,” said Patrick Fitzsimmons, Red Cross CEO in WNC. “Depending on the damage assessment, we will respond with supplies and people as needed.”

According to early reports, several houses had roof damages caused by high winds and downed trees. Additionally, a large number of residents and businesses in the area remain without power.

Individuals and businesses interested in assisting with the disaster response can make a financial donation to The American Red Cross, 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC 28804, by going to www.redcrosswnc.org or by calling 828-258-3888, Donations should be designated for Disaster Relief.

Be Red Cross Ready for: ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE!!!!

Public, we're worried about you. Apparently, you are inordinately worried about a Zombie Apocalypse. Well, we're not here to judge. We're here to help you plan, prepare for and avoid disaster. And now even the Center for Disease Control agrees that zombies are a serious threat (wink wink). So here goes...

Here's a list of resources:

Zombie's been munching on your brains n' bones? Then take The Zombie Bite Calculator Quiz!

Gizmodo and Google Street View help your find the best Zombie emergency escape route in your own neighborhood.

But of course the best thing you can have on hand in the event of a Zombie Apocalypse? A disaster home preparedness kit:

Kit Contents:

Water: One gallon of water per day per person. (Yeah, we know, that's a lot of per's... do it anyway)
Food: At least three days worth of non-perishable food items. Consider the Tactical Sammich. And don't forget a can opener!
Flashlight and Batteries: Essential for when the power goes out from Zombies chewing on power lines. Also useful for shining in Zombie faces.
Hand-Crank Radio: No better way to get your news in a power outages. Also, Zombies hate Katy Perry!
First Aid Kit: This is a no-brainer, if you still have a brain after the Zombie Apocalypse that is.
Medical Supplies: Pre-filled prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, extra glasses and contact lenses.
Sanitary Supplies: Zombies hate cleanliness!
Multi-Purpose Tool: Not a bottle opener!
Personal Documents: To prove you aren't a Zombie!
Cash: Zombies are typically immune from the temptation of bribes but give it a shot.
Map and Contact Information: So you can find peeps and they can find you a la Zombieland.


And you know the best thing about this Kit? It can even be used should a REAL emergency strike. No offense, Zombies.

Are You Ready? Then Body Roll!

Hey... at least when the Red Cross asks the question, "Are you ready?"... it has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DANCE MOVES BELOW:

Always remember that about us. Speaking of... are you ready? Check out our long list of disaster preparation checklists, including floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and thunderstorms.

Also: Do you have a kit? Hey, you could always pack these sweet dance moves away with the rest of the essentials in your home disaster preparedness kit.

We think our motto is a good one: "Get a kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed."
But we can't deny that we also love: "Now bop! And drop! Hug yourself!"

Thank you, Double Dream Hands Guy. Thank you.