ORANGE, SAN BERNARDINO & RIVERSIDE COUNTIES, Calif. — December 13, 2021 — Intense rains, wind and snow are expected to heavily impact areas of Southern California on Tuesday, and local American Red Cross volunteers have already mobilized to help those who may be impacted by the incoming storms. Three Red Cross shelters are open to provide safe refuge and resources for anyone affected by local evacuation orders and warnings.

RED CROSS SHELTER LOCATIONS:

• The American Red Cross of San Bernardino County has opened a shelter at Redlands East Valley High School, located at 31000 E Colton Ave, Redlands, Calif. 92374.
• The American Red Cross of Orange County has opened a shelter at Lake Forest Sports Park, located at 28000 Rancho Parkway, Lake Forest, Calif. 92630.
• The American Red Cross of Riverside County has opened a shelter at the Albert A. Chatigny Senior Community Center, located at 1310 Oak Valley Pkwy, Beaumont, Calif. 92223.
    

WHAT TO BRING: The Red Cross encourages people who plan to stay in a shelter to bring prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, other comfort items and important documents. Don’t forget to bring any special items for children, such as diapers, formula and toys, or for family members who have unique needs.
 

READY TO RESPOND: With the help of partners and volunteers, the Red Cross is here to help anyone affected by these strong storms throughout the Red Cross Southern California Region, which includes San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties. Red Cross officials are working closely with local emergency management and our partners to coordinate relief efforts, and trained Red Cross volunteers and staff are on call around-the-clock and stand ready to assist in various aspects including sheltering, emergency lodging, feeding, disaster assessment, casework, and more throughout the region.

To help keep everyone safe, Red Cross volunteers and partners are using safety precautions including masks, health screenings, enhanced cleaning procedures and encouraging social distancing regardless of vaccine status.

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 emergency kit ready and make sure to include special items for children, seniors and pets. Review your emergency plan with everyone in your household.
• Plan your evacuation route, and alternates in case main roads are impassable. Back your vehicle into your driveway or park facing the direction of escape.
• Some members of your household may need special accommodations or extra time to evacuate, so plan accordingly and if you feel unsafe – don’t wait, evacuate.
• 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 storms, flooding, mudslides and more. 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.

FLOOD SAFETY

• Follow evacuation orders and don’t return home until officials say it is safe.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
   

LANDSLIDE 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.

Please follow @SoCal_RedCross on Twitter for the latest updates.
 

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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