4 Raleigh Families Displaced by Flooding from Last Night’s Storms

Red Cross Provides Tips to Stay Safe Before and After a Thunderstorm,
Reminds Triangle Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Raleigh, NC – May 29, 2010: The Triangle Area Chapter was on the scene to help those affected by the thunderstorms that moved through our area last night. Local volunteers responded to a flash flood at 320 Hill Street in Raleigh to help residents impacted by last night’s storms. Triangle Red Cross volunteers, on-call 24/7/365, responded overnight, offering food and a safe place to stay, along with other assistance.

“Experiencing severe thunderstorms during Hurricane Preparedness Week is timely. The high winds and heavy rains are a strong reminder of the conditions that we often face in central North Carolina during hurricane season.” said Barry Porter, Regional Executive Director for the Triangle Red Cross. “It’s important to be prepared year round, and especially when we know the chances of severe weather are greater. It just makes good sense.”

Scott Cravens, Red Cross volunteer, monitors weather and damage for the Triangle Red Cross. Cravens said “People who live in low lying areas should always be prepared for a flood. If you aren’t sure of your risk of flooding, you should certainly try to assess what that is, and plan for an evacuation if necessary. Flash floods are particularly dangerous, because they strike with little or no warning and the exact areas that will flood are difficult to predict.”

The Red Cross provides information and training on how to stay safe.” Visit http://TriangleRedCross.org/Prepare

As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for severe thunderstorms by:

• Make a Home Disaster Plan: Pick a safe place in your home for household members to gather during a thunderstorm.  This should be away from windows, skylights and glass doors that could be broken by strong winds or hail. Protect your animals by ensuring that any outside buildings that house them are protected in the same way as your home.  Remove animals from vulnerable dog houses and similar small structures.

• Create an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Pack a first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries.

• Heed Storm Warnings:  A severe storm WATCH means severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area.  People in a watch area should keep informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. A severe storm WARNING means severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar.  Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. Seek shelter immediately. The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.

• Prepare for High Winds: If you have time, secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind.

The Red Cross offers the following tips for those affected by thunderstorms:

• Avoid driving on flooded roads.
• Continue listening to local radio or television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions. If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
• Before entering your home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks or other damages.
• If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.
• If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water.
• Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings. Avoid using candles. If you must use candles take extreme care. Keep candles away from any combustible materials. Place candles out of reach of children or pets. Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Candles lit and left unattended lead to a large number of single family fires and fire deaths.
• Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater.

Help people affected by disasters like the recent severe thunderstorms, by donating to your local American Red Cross.  Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-919-231-1602. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.triangleredcross.org.

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.triangleredcross.org.

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