Media Contact:
Christine Welch, Communications Director
Email: christine.welch@redcross.org
Phone: 909-374-0376                                                                           

ORANGE COUNTY, RIVERSIDE AND SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES — Jan. 28, 2021 — A series of strong winter storms on the West Coast may bring several inches of snow and rain to Southern California, and the risk of flooding and mudslides in areas where last year’s wildfires destroyed acres of vegetation.

The American Red Cross Southern California Region is responding for those under evacuation warnings and orders in Orange County, Riverside County and San Bernardino counties. Red Cross teams are currently supporting three Temporary Evacuation Points where there are mandatory evacuations. 

Orange County

El Modena High School, 3920 E. Spring St, Orange, CA 92869

Any person needing assistance with animal or large animal evacuations should call Orange County Animal Care at 714-935-6848.

Riverside County

Hemmerling Elementary School, 1928 W. Nicolet St, Banning, CA 92220

Anyone needing assistance with evacuating animals can call Riverside County Animal Services at 951-358-7387.

San Bernardino County

Redlands East Valley High School, 31000 E Colton Ave, Redlands, CA 92374

Those who need to evacuate with large animals can visit the Devore Animal Shelter at 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino.

Because the pandemic has made establishing traditional “congregate” shelters more difficult, the Red Cross is working with county and hotel partners to ensure that those under mandatory evacuation orders continue to have safe sheltering options.

Evacuees who are in need of shelter must check in at a Temporary Evacuation Point so the county can verify that they reside in a mandatory evacuation zone. Once that determination is made, the Red Cross will work to secure accommodations for these evacuees with one of our hotel partners. Providing hotel accommodations takes time, so evacuees should go to a Temporary Evacuation Point as early as possible to begin the process of requesting this kind of housing support.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO If an emergency threatens your neighborhood, prepare to evacuate quickly and leave the area if local officials tell you to do so. Don’t return home until officials say it is safe to do so.

• Have your disaster kit ready. Review your emergency plan with everyone in your household.
• Plan your evacuation route, and alternates in case main roads are impassable.
• Don’t forget your pets. If you must evacuate, make arrangements for your animals. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.

DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS The Red Cross app “Emergency” can help keep you and your loved ones safe with real-time alerts, shelter locations and safety advice on wildfires. The Red Cross First Aid app provides instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies. Download these apps for free by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.

MUDSLIDE SAFETY

• If you suspect imminent danger, evacuate immediately. Inform affected neighbors if you can, and contact your public works, fire or police department.
• Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as 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 and notice whether the water changes from clear to muddy. Such changes may mean there is debris flow activity upstream so be prepared to move quickly.
• Be especially alert when driving— watch for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks and other indications of possible debris flow.
• Stay alert and awake. Many deaths from landslides occur while people are sleeping.
• Listen to local news stations on a battery-powered radio for warnings of heavy rainfall.

FLOOD SAFETY

• 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
• Turn around, don’t drown. Stay off the roads. If you must drive and encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and go another way. Head for higher ground and stay there.
• Stay away from floodwaters. Beware of snakes, insects and other animals that may be in or around floodwaters and your home.
• If power lines are down, do not step in puddles or standing water.
• Don't walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over and two feet will float a car.
• Don't walk on beaches or riverbanks.
• Don’t allow children to play in or near flood water.
• Stay out of areas subject to flooding. Underpasses, dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc. can become filled with water.

Please follow @SoCal_RedCross on Twitter for the latest updates. Visit redcross.org/floods for information on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from floods.

About the American Red Cross Southern California Region  
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid, and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the public to perform its mission. The Red Cross Southern California Region proudly serves San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties. In addition to carrying out disaster preparedness and response programs, blood collection, health and safety training, international services programs and supporting the military community, the Southern California Region provides nutritional counseling through its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in San Diego and helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters through its Prepare SoCal and Prepare San Diego initiatives. For more information, please visit redcross.org/SoCal or cruzrojaamericana.org, or connect with us on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

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