Rain is headed to the same area in California where deadly mudslides occurred recently, increasing the risk of more mudslides. As many as 9,000 people are under evacuation orders and may be out of their neighborhoods for the next week or two. The slides destroyed 85 homes and damaged as any as 500 homes. The mudslide is covering a 30-square-mile area. Some areas are without power, water or gas.
The American Red Cross is providing shelter, food and relief supplies and meeting with victims to help plan their recovery. The Red Cross also issued information on how people can remain safe.
Overnight, almost 40 people stayed in 1 Red Cross shelter. If someone needs to find a shelter, they can call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767), visit redcross.org, or download the free Red Cross Emergency App. The Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps. They can also check with their local officials or monitor local media for information on where to find a shelter.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The Red Cross works 24/7 to be ready to respond to disasters such as mudslides and other emergencies. Please donate to the Red Cross to help. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
MUDSLIDE SAFETY
Follow evacuation orders and do not attempt to return until officials say it is safe to do so.Stay away from the slide area. There may be the danger of additional slides.Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information.Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide area. Direct rescuers to their locations.Help a neighbor who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.Watch for flooding, which may occur after a landslide or debris flow. Floods sometimes follow landslides and debris flows because they may both be started by the same event.Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury.Check the building foundation, chimney, and surrounding land for damage. Damage to foundations, chimneys, or surrounding land may help you assess the safety of the area.FLOOD SAFETY
Flooding can occur after a mudslide. Follow these safety steps:
Turn around, don’t drown. Stay off the roads. If you must drive and encounter a flooded roadway while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.Head for higher ground and stay there.Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Keep children out of the water.Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to see flood danger.Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.If your neighborhood is prone to flooding, be prepared to evacuate quickly if necessary. Follow evacuation orders and do not attempt to return until officials say it is safe to do so.PETS AND DISASTERS
Your pet’s behavior may change dramatically after a disaster, becoming aggressive or defensive. Be aware of their well-being and protect them from hazards to ensure the safety of other people and animals.
Watch your animals closely and keep them under your direct control as fences and gates may have been damaged.Pets may become disoriented, particularly if the disaster has affected scent markers that normally allow them to find their home.Be aware of hazards at nose and paw or hoof level, particularly debris, spilled chemicals, fertilizers and other substances that might not seem to be dangerous to humans.STAY IN TOUCH
Let your loved ones know you are safe. The Red Cross has two easy ways to help people reconnect:
The Red Cross Emergency App features an “I’m Safe” button that allows users to post a message to their social accounts, letting friends and family know they are out of harm’s way. The Emergency App is free and can be found in the app store for your mobile device by searching for “American Red Cross” or by going to redcross.org/apps.The American Red Cross Safe and Well website is a free public reunification tool that allows individuals and organizations to register and post messages to indicate that they are safe, or to search for loved ones. The site is always available and open to the public and available in Spanish. Registrations and searches can be done directly on the website. Registrations can also be completed by texting SAFE to 78876. Messages exist in both Spanish and English. To speak with someone at the American Red Cross concerning a missing friend or relative, please contact 1-800 Red Cross.
