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Latest Tornadoes Bring Destruction; Red Cross Provides Care
By Maya Pai
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 — As black funnel clouds descended over Iowa and Minnesota during the holiday weekend, the American Red Cross stood ready to shelter, feed and comfort tornado victims. This unusually active tornado season has resulted in a Red Cross response to eight twisters in the last two weeks.
(Photo Credit: Stock Photo/American Red Cross)
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When describing the scene, Marty Robey, Iowa resident and disaster reserve photographer for the Red Cross said, “Whole neighborhoods have been reduced to a pile of debris.” Robey told the story of a tornado survivor finding his neighbor’s car from three houses down in his driveway and that the survivor’s roof was located a block away from his house. “For Iowa, this is a pretty big gig – the people here are dealing with it amazingly well,” Robey said.
For both Iowa and Minnesota, the Red Cross is providing mobile feeding, mental health services and will open service centers in the coming days to obtain client case work. In the near future, the Red Cross will begin bulk distribution of cleanup supplies so victims of the storms can start the rebuilding and healing process. In addition to Iowa and Minnesota,the Red Cross is still assisting those affected by the Colorado tornadoes last week.
It is uncertain what will come in the next few weeks while severe weather is predicted to continue ripping across the U.S. As tornado season ends and hurricane season begins, the Red Cross reminds families to have a plan and be prepared.
“We have never seen a tornado season like this,” said Joe Becker, senior vice president, disaster services. “We encourage everyone to follow the American Red Cross guidelines on what to do after the storms, but more importantly, how to prepare before they even hit.”
If you have been affected by the disaster, then please register yourself on the Safe and Well Website. From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being.
After the storms:
Although tornadoes generally occur during spring and summer and more frequently in the Plain states, they can happen anytime, anywhere. Regardless of the location or time of year, if conditions are right, a tornado can develop. Tornadoes have been reported in every state. They can strike at any time of the day or night but are most likely to occur between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
The American Red Cross recommends people take the following actions to stay safer after a tornado:
- 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.
- When it is safe to return home, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes when examining your walls, doors, staircases and windows for damage.
- Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately.
- Avoid damaged areas as your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations and put you at further risk from the residual effects of tornadoes.
- Stay out of damaged buildings.
- Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings. DO NOT USE CANDLES.
- If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out of the building quickly. Turn off the gas using the outside main valve if you can, and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
- Clean up spilled medications, bleaches, gasoline, or other flammable liquids that could become a fire hazard.
- Check for injuries. If you are trained, provide first aid to persons in need until emergency responders arrive.
- Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
- Use the telephone only for emergency calls. Telephone lines are frequently overwhelmed in disaster situations. They need to be kept clear for emergency calls to get through.
- Watch your animals closely. Keep all your animals under your direct control. Your pets may be able to escape from your home or through a broken fence. Pets may become disoriented, particularly because tornadoes and the heavy rains that accompany them will usually affect scent markers that normally allow animals to find their homes.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; 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 humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.
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