
As winter storms cover a large part of the country, the American Red Cross offers these steps to help keep you and your loved ones safe. You can view this information with help from an ASL interpreter here.
Severe weather continues to impact the country from coast to coast, putting millions of people in its path and further impacting blood collections.
Just this week snow and ice have canceled more than 100 blood drives from Nebraska to Maine, causing more than 3,000 blood donations to go uncollected. Since the beginning of the year, winter storms have led to about 20,000 blood and platelet donations uncollected so far ─ a number already surpassing the total amount of uncollected donations due to weather last winter.
Severe weather systems not only have the potential to disrupt blood drives but can also impact the ability to deliver blood and platelets to hospitals. As the threat of more storms persists, it’s critical to help the blood supply recover from the shortfall in blood products that are vital for lifesaving medical procedures.
The American Red Cross urges the public to give blood or platelets now to help combat the significant weather impact on blood donations this winter. People of all blood types ─ especially those with type O negative blood and those giving platelets ─ are needed this February.
Find a donation opportunity and schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, 1-800-RED CROSS or the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma from Jan. 27 – Feb. 28 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/Flurry.
COAST TO COAST THREAT On the west coast, heavy rain could lead to landslides and debris flows in Los Angeles and other areas impacted by the recent wildfires. Some communities are under evacuation warnings as the storm moves into the region. Saturated Northern California might see flooding, including around the Bay Area.
Several winter storms will affect people from the Midwest to the Northeast through the weekend, with as much as seven inches of additional snow in areas already digging out from previous snow and ice storms. Along with the wintry mess, temperatures could be as much as 40 degrees colder from the middle of the country to the South and East into next week.
Across the South, severe thunderstorms, wind damage and tornadoes are possible in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, with the threat of severe weather lasting through the weekend. Flooding is also possible in the South, Ohio Valley, central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic regions.
The Red Cross is coordinating with local officials to ensure support is available if needed. If you live in a community threatened by these weather risks, follow these safety steps:
Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts, open shelter locations and expert advice in both English and Spanish. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.
WINTER SAFETY Stay warm indoors. If your home becomes too cold, go to a public library, shopping mall or warming center.
Use care with space heaters and fireplaces to prevent fires. Keep anything that could catch fire at least 3 feet from the heat. Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Use battery-powered lights and flashlights instead of candles to prevent fires.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t use an oven to heat your home.
Carbon monoxide kills. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak, get to fresh air right away.
If you must go outside, wear layers of loose clothing, a coat, hat, mittens and water-resistant boots. Use a scarf to cover your face and mouth.
Check on loved ones and neighbors to make sure they are staying warm, particularly if they are older or live alone.
Be careful walking on snow or ice and avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. If possible, work with a partner and take frequent breaks.
Stay off the roads when possible. If you become stranded, stay in the vehicle and wait for help.
Stay warm to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. Your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes are often the first areas affected.
Signs of frostbite include pain, numbness or a change in skin color.
Signs of hypothermia, which can be deadly, often include shivering, confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech.
Act fast and get out of the cold immediately if you see signs of hypothermia or frostbite.
Get emergency medical care right away.
POWER OUTAGE To prepare for a power outage, make a plan of what to do and how to stay connected.
Consider your electrical needs and, in the event of an outage, ask yourself how you will stay warm or cool, make food, have clean water and communicate with others.
If you need to keep medications cool or use medical devices that need power, discuss a backup plan with your doctor.
In some situations, it may not be safe to stay home, so know where you will go if you need to evacuate, how you will get there and where you will stay.
During a power outage, unplug appliances and electronics to avoid damage from power surges. Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.
Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns — not candles to avoid fires.
Don’t drive unless necessary. Traffic lights will be out and roads could be congested.
Decide if you need to stay or go if your home is too hot or cold, or if you have medical devices that need power.
To prevent illness, keep food cold. When in doubt, throw it out.
Eat fresh, perishable foods first.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help keep food cold. Use coolers with ice if necessary.
Measure the food temperature in your refrigerator and freezer with a thermometer. Throw out perishable food that has been warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you’re 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 and 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.
TORNADO SAFETY Stay informed about potential thunderstorms and tornadoes by monitoring local weather reports and signing up for free emergency alerts from your local government. A WATCH means be prepared as tornadoes are possible and you should be ready to act fast. A WARNING means take action now as a tornado is near and you need to move to a safe location right away.
If a tornado warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado, go to your safe place immediately.
After getting to your safe shelter, use your arms to protect your head and neck.
Keep listening to radio, TV or other news sources. Stay in your shelter until the tornado warning ends.
If the building you are in has been damaged, exit with extreme care and stay out. Look around for things that might fall or are dangerous.
Do not use matches or lighters inside. If you smell gas or see spills that could be flammable, leave immediately.
If you are trapped, try to cover your mouth with a cloth or mask to avoid breathing dust. Try to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting.
LANDSLIDE SAFETY Most landslides are caused by natural events, such as heavy rain, snowmelt, earthquakes or even volcanic eruptions. Areas burned by wildfires are also susceptible to landslides.
Landslides generally happen in areas where they have occurred in the past. If you suspect you are in danger, evacuate immediately and take your pets with you.
Inform close neighbors and contact your local fire or police department.
If a landslide watch or warning has been issued, consider sleeping somewhere else.
Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris. This includes trees cracking or boulders knocking together.
If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow. Notice whether the water changes from clear to muddy. Such changes may mean there is debris flow activity upstream. Be prepared to move quickly.
Be especially alert when driving. Watch for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks and other indications of a possible debris flow.
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.