With more than 500 trained American Red Cross staff on the ground—and many more en route from across the country—as well as truckloads of supplies positioned across Florida, the Red Cross is mobilizing a large-scale response to Hurricane Ian.
“Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted in some way by this historic storm,” said Josett Valdez, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross South Florida Region. We at the American Red Cross stand alongside our neighbors along the Gulf Coast and across the state.”
Prior to landfall, the Red Cross prepositioned cots, blankets and comfort kits, along with tens of thousands of relief supplies into the region to supplement supplies already located in the state in order to be prepared to help as many as 60,000 Floridians. More than one hundred emergency response vehicles are also pre-staged in the region.
Over the last few days, the Red Cross has been working with local officials and community partners to support evacuation shelters across the state. Once the storm moves through, the Red Cross will continue to partner to open post-storm shelters as requested.
You can find information for open evacuation shelters on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). You can also find these locations at floridadisaster.org. Residents should also follow local county and city officials on social media or monitor local news for information on where to find emergency shelter.
It is also imperative to stay alert as the worst of the storm passes through, and conditions remain unsafe. See the following safety information below:
As the storm moves through your area, please stay off the roadways. If you must travel, make sure you are being safe. Turn around, don’t drown! If you must drive and you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and go another way.
· If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising around you, quickly get out of the car, move to higher ground and stay there. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
Tune into your local radio, NOAA radio or news channel for the latest updates.
· If your neighborhood is prone to flooding, prepare to evacuate quickly if necessary.
· Follow evacuation orders and don’t return until officials say it is safe.
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.
· 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 includes
· mattresses, carpeting, cosmetics, stuffed animals and baby toys.
· Discard all food, beverages and medicine exposed to floodwaters and mud.
Check the outside of your home before you enter. Look for loose power lines, broken or
damaged gas lines, foundation cracks, missing support beams and other damage.
· If the door is jammed, don’t force it open — it may be providing support to the rest of
· your home. Find another way to get inside.
· If you smell gas or hear a hissing noise, leave the property immediately and get far
· away. Call the fire department after you reach safety.
· If the weather is dry, open windows and doors to ventilate and dry out your home.
More safety information can be found on the free Red Cross Emergency app and at redcross.org.
To help people affected by Hurricane Ian, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday.
If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday.