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Tropical Storm Chris Weakens, Recommendations to Prepare Remain Strong
Cristina Trenas with Leigh-Anne Dennison
Thursday, August 03, 2006 — Although Tropical Storm Chris—the third named storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season—weakened Thursday as it continued to travel through the Caribbean, recommendations by the American Red Cross that the public take time to prepare remain strong.
A satellite image of a weakening Tropical Storm Chris as it continues to move through the Caribbean, Aug. 3, 2006.
(Photo Credit: Courtesy of NOAA)
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By early Thursday morning, Tropical Storm Chris had dropped by 20 miles per hour to just 40 miles per hour, one mile above the point at which storms become named. Hurricane watches in the Caribbean have been lifted but tropical storm watches remain in effect, meaning that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 36 hours.
No major damage has been reported as the storm crossed into the eastern Caribbean and headed towards Anguilla, Puerto Rico, the U.S and British Virgin Islands, where a tropical storm warning was in effect. More than 600 tourists were evacuated.
Even though the storm is losing steam, the Red Cross reminds the public that the dangers of the storm have not passed and shouldn’t be underestimated. Severe weather conditions remain a strong possibility even if the front is downgrade to a tropical depression.
“This tropical storm is weakening now, but it’s still important for the public—whether they’re facing this storm or other severe weather—to take time now to make a disaster plan and build an emergency supplies kit,” said Keith Robertory, preparedness expert for the American Red Cross, who emphasized that it’s always better to prepare before circumstances and conditions become dire.
If your community is at risk either from this storm front or other natural disasters, take time now to be prepared:
- Make a personal evacuation plan in advance, and prepare an emergency contact list to keep in touch with loved ones in case you are separated during an evacuation.
- Assemble a disaster supplies kit including a first aid kit with essential medication as well as food, water, protective clothing, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio and extra batteries.
- Be aware that a watch indicates that hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch, usually within 36 hours. A warning indicates that hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the warning, usually within 24 hours.
- Continue to listen to the local radio, TV and NOAA radio stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Just as it recommends for the public, the American Red Cross has been preparing itself for the 2006 hurricane season ever since the end of last year’s devastating season. The Red Cross has increased its stockpile of supplies such as food, cots and blankets in key states and strengthened its infrastructure, allowing the organization to care for up to one million families within a 10-day period.
The Red Cross also continues to increase its strategic partnerships with key organizations that will help the organization in better assisting underserved communities.
“A year like this past one, where we’ve seen so many unexpected natural disasters and such severe weather, drives home the importance of being ready for anything—not just hurricanes,” said Robertory.
To learn more about how to prepare yourself and your household for hurricanes and other types of disasters, visit the “Get Prepared” section RedCross.org. Short on time? You can purchase and customize an American Red Cross emergency supplies kit by visiting the RedCross.org Store.
Cristina Trenas is a journalism student working as an intern at American Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
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