AMERICAN RED CROSS URGENT FAMILY ALERT

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, August 30, 2005 — We know thousands of Americans are worried about their loved ones in the aftermath of devastating Hurricane Katrina. With widespread power and communications outages and roads under water, it’s important to go back to communication basics to ensure that your family and friends know you are safe:

• Call an out of town contact to let them know you are safe.
• Ask them to spread the word to your family and friends.
• Make sure your contact lives far enough away that they are not affected by the same storm.
• Rest assured that emergency responders are working as quickly as possible and are doing all that they can to help those affected.
• Remember that storms mean power outages and downed phone lines. Please keep trying and be patient.
• Phone lines are often overwhelmed after a disaster. Try sending an email if you can—sometimes email works when phones don’t.

The American Red Cross has mobilized thousands of volunteers to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We are sheltering thousands and providing care and comfort to those affected. The Red Cross has the same problems with communication as the general public. We heed all directions from public officials, and do not enter areas until they are deemed safe. The Red Cross does not have information on the well being of any individuals. Our phone lines are being overwhelmed with calls, and we appreciate the desire to know how people fared during the storm. Medical and government officials will contact families in serious cases if necessary. The best way to help the Red Cross assist those affected by the storm is to remain patient and help us keep our phone lines open for emergencies only.

Please do not contact any Red Cross media representatives with welfare inquiries.

About The American Red Cross

American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Donations are also being accepted at Coinstar machines at select grocery stores across America. To find the nearest Coinstar machine, visit www.coinstar.com. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.