More than 320,000 homes and businesses are without power from Pennsylvania to Georgia after Monday’s violent storms and the threat of dangerous weather isn’t over. Two different weather systems are expected to bring severe weather to New England and the Plains states with the possibility of severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, damaging winds and tornadoes.
As the storms move across the Plains, the National Weather Service warns that very large hail, significant severe wind gusts and tornadoes are all possible. In New England, severe thunderstorms could cause flooding of rivers, creeks and areas prone to flooding.
The American Red Cross is preparing to respond if necessary and issues these steps to help people stay safe as the storms move into their area:
Use flashlights in the dark — not candles.
Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will likely be congested.
Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment and appliances. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.
Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Keep these devices outside away from doors, windows and vents, which could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
During a prolonged outage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to protect your food. Use perishable food from the refrigerator first, then, food from the freezer. If the power outage continues beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items. Keep food in a dry, cool spot and cover it at all times.
Watch for storm signs, such as darkening skies, lightning flashes and increasing wind.
If thunder roars, go indoors. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger of lightning. Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are likely to occur. Many people struck by lightning aren’t in the area where it’s raining.
If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, take shelter in a substantial building or vehicle with the windows closed.
Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds. Avoid using electrical equipment and telephones. Use battery-powered or hand-crank radios instead. Keep away from windows, and don’t take a bath/shower or use plumbing.
If you are driving, try to safely exit the road and park.
Stay in your vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside of the vehicle.
If you’re outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground, water, tall or isolated trees and metal objects, such as fences and bleachers.
Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are NOT safe places to be.
If someone has been struck by lightning, call 911.
Anyone who has sustained a lightning strike requires professional medical care. Check the person for burns and other injuries. If the person has stopped breathing, begin CPR. It’s safe to touch people who have been struck by lightning, as they don’t retain an electrical charge.
Turn around, don’t drown! Stay off the roads. If you must drive and you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and go another way.
Follow evacuation routes and do not try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked.
Stay away from floodwaters. Beware of snakes, insects and other animals that may be in or around floodwaters and your home.
Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwaters.
Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.
Offer help to people who require special assistance including older adults, those without transportation, large families, people with disabilities and the people who care for them.
If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water. Report them immediately to the power company.
If any gas or electrical appliances were flooded, don’t use them until they have been checked for safety.
Dispose of any food that has come into contact with flood water.
Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and its contents, for insurance purposes.
Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
CLIMATE CRISIS The climate crisis is driving extreme weather across the country, especially the record-setting extreme heat. Some experts say with the arrival of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean, the situation may get worse. As these extreme weather disasters increase, more people need help from the Red Cross. Find out more about the Red Cross and its work on the climate crisis here.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.
