Steps to Help Keep You Safe When Severe Weather Threatens

The severe weather threat continues for millions of people from Texas to the East Coast as the latest round of storms could bring tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds, frequent lightning, flash flooding and heavy rain to the region.

The American Red Cross is standing by to respond to the new storms if necessary as hundreds of trained disaster teams work around the clock across multiple states to support people impacted by the recent devastating weather. At least 164,000 customers are without power across the South.

If you are in the path of these storms, follow these steps to help keep you and your loved ones safe:

PREPARE NOW Take these three steps to make sure you and your loved ones are ready for emergencies:

1. Build a kit in case you have to evacuate or lose power. An emergency kit should contain food, water and other basic supplies to last at least three days for each family member. Also, don’t forget to include essential medications, copies of important documents and special items for children and pets.

2. Make a plan. An emergency plan should include what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and what to do if you have to evacuate. Make sure to coordinate your plan with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans. Include pets in your emergency plans. It’s important to plan in advance to know which pet-friendly hotels are in your area and where your pets can stay in an emergency situation.

3. Be informed. Know how Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get information, whether through local radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio stations or channels. Know the difference between different weather alerts such as watches and warnings and what actions to take in each.

TORNADO SAFETY Watch for tornado danger signs: dark and greenish clouds, a wall cloud or cloud of debris.

• During a tornado warning, go to your safe place immediately, whether it’s a basement, storm cellar or interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. A small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.

• If you live in a mobile home, find a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. No mobile home is safe in a tornado. If you have access to a sturdy shelter or vehicle, go there immediately.

• If you’re outside, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter, immediately get in a vehicle and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. Remember to buckle your seat belt.

• Stay away from bridges or highway overpasses.

• If strong winds and flying debris occur while driving, pull over and park. Keep on your seat belt and the engine running. Put your head down below the windows and cover your head with your hands and a blanket.

• 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.

FLOODING SAFETY As Texas floodwaters go down, keep these steps in mind:

• Stay away from floodwaters. Beware of snakes, insects and other animals or around floodwaters and your home.

• If power lines are down, don’t step in puddles or standing water.

• Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and boots, and be cautious when cleaning up.

• Throw out items that absorb water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected. This mattresses, carpeting, cosmetics, stuffed animals and baby toys.

• Discard all food, beverages and medicine exposed to floodwaters and mud.

POWER OUTAGE SAFETY Use flashlights in the dark — not candles.

• Don’t drive unless necessary. Traffic lights will be out and roads could be congested.

• Turn off and unplug any appliances, equipment and electronics. When the power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment. Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to protect your food. Use perishable food from the refrigerator first. Then, use 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.

If you are using a generator, keep it dry and don’t use it in wet conditions.

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, basement or other partially enclosed area. Keep this equipment outside and away from doors, windows and vents, which could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

• Operate the generator on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up by poles. Don’t touch a generator with wet hands.

• Turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could catch fire.

• Plug appliances directly into the generator. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.

HEAT SAFETY Extreme heat is predicted to move into the area next week. Follow these steps to help you stay safe as the temperatures rise:

• Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees.

• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.

• If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like schools, libraries, theaters, malls, etc.

• Extreme heat can be dangerous for anyone, but especially dangerous for those with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, mental illness, poor blood circulation and obesity.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

• Avoid extreme temperature changes.

• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.

• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

• Postpone outdoor games and activities.

• Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.

• Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.