American Red Cross of Northeast Florida holding storm preparedness open house

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season now underway, the American Red Cross of Northeast Florida wants to help the community get prepared whether they are sheltering at home or evacuating to a shelter.

The American Red Cross is inviting the public to see an example of an emergency shelter set up at two “Just in Time” Sheltering Trainings at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 11. The events are part of the Red Cross’ open house, which is happening from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 11 at its headquarters at 751 Riverside Avenue.

Visit this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/red-cross-open-house-tickets-347035030117

Here is more storm preparation information from the Red Cross:

PREPARE YOUR FAMILY

If you plan to shelter at home: Be ready to live without power, water, gas, phone, and internet for a long time. Practice going to a designated safe shelter for high winds. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not likely to flood. If you are in an area that is likely to flood, designate a location on higher ground that you can move to before floodwaters reach you. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately and go to a safe place.

If you need to evacuate: Know where you will go, how you will get there, and where you will stay.

Plan well in advance if you will need help leaving or use public transportation.

Mobile/manufactured/trailer homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) cannot provide safe shelter from tropical-storm or hurricane-force winds.

Emergency Supplies: Gather food, water, and medicine. Organize supplies into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit. A Go-Kit should have: 3 days of supplies that you can carry with you. Include backup batteries and chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.) A Stay-at-Home Kit should have: 2 weeks of supplies. Stores and pharmacies might be closed. Have a 1-month supply of medication in a child-proof container. Keep personal, financial, and medical records safe.

Learn more: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane.html

Teach your children about preparedness: Preparedness starts with each one of us taking steps to stay safe before, during, and after disasters or emergencies. By setting aside the time and resources to be prepared at home, you can help keep you family safer – and help keep emergency responders safer, too! The Red Cross has many resources to help youth and their grown-ups be better prepared at home.

Learn more: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/teaching-kids-about-emergency-preparedness.html

Consider special needs for each member of your family: Emergencies can happen at a moment’s notice. Mobility, hearing, learning, or seeing disabilities can create specific needs that individuals need to address to be able to respond to an emergency.

Learn more: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/inclusive-preparedness-resources.html

Make sure your pets are safe: If you must evacuate your home during a disaster, the best way to protect your pets is to evacuate them too. If it’s not safe for you to stay behind, then it’s not safe to leave pets behind either.

• Know which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept pets in an emergency. Call ahead for reservations if you know you may need to evacuate. Ask if no pet policies could be waived in an emergency.
• Most American Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters.
• Know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in an emergency. Prepare a list with phone numbers.
• Although your animals may be more comfortable together, be prepared to house them separately.
• Include your pets in evacuation drills so that they become used to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly.
• Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current and that all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.
• Consider having your pet “microchipped” by your veterinarian.

Learn more: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/pet-disaster-preparedness.html

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