(ATLANTA), September 13, 2018 – Today, more than 2.6 million people are facing Hurricane Florence warnings and watches. Florence is not just a coastal storm but will also affect inland communities as it moves away from the coast.

Here in Georgia, the Red Cross is ready to assist evacuees if needed. Potential shelters have been identified, volunteers are on stand-by, and resources, like Emergency Response Vehicles and supplies are pre-positioned. Working closely with emergency partners, our disaster team continues to monitor the storm and prepare for impacts to our state.

Connecting with Loved Ones

For Georgians with loved ones living in or around Hurricane Florence evacuation zones, encourage your friends and family to register on the Red Cross Safe & Well Website. This can help them stay connected and help relieve your stress and anxiety during the storm. Register at RedCross.org/safeandwell

The Red Cross urges Georgians in the path of the storm to prepare now.

Build a Disaster Kit – Make an Emergency Plan – Be Informed
(Get more tips on how to prepare and stay safe at redcross.org/hurricane.)

• Your emergency kit should contain supplies for about three days, to include a gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit, medications and copies of important documents. Other recommended items are available at redcross.org/kit. Remember items for young children such as diapers, and family members with special medical needs.
• Storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly. Stay informed about weather updates and emergency instructions. Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/county website regularly
• Before the storm hits, find a place to store outside items such as lawn furniture, toys, gardening tools and trash cans to prevent them from being moved by high winds and possibly hurting someone.
• Fill your gas tank and listen to officials. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not drive around barricades or through high water. Remember, if you encounter flooded roadways, turn around, don’t drown!
• Know how you’ll communicate with family members. You can call, text, email or use social media. During disasters, text instead of call because phone lines are often overloaded.
• Prepare for power outages by turning your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting and only opening when necessary. If you lose power, food will last longer. Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator to check food temperature when the power is restored.
• Don’t forget your pets. Bring them indoors and maintain direct control of them.
• Download the free Red Cross Emergency App to have real time information about the storm, open Red Cross shelter locations and hurricane safety tips at your fingertips. The Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

As Hurricane Florence approaches, the American Red Cross is responding across multiple states:

• More than 6,700 people spent Wednesday night in 127 Red Cross and community shelters across South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
• More than 1,500 disaster workers are on the ground to help and additional volunteers are being mobilized now in case they are needed.
• The Red Cross has mobilized about 80 emergency response vehicles and more than 120 trailers of equipment and relief supplies to support relief efforts.
• Working with partners, the Red Cross has served 4,500 meals and snacks.
• Since September 11, more than 1.8 million weather alerts have been sent through Red Cross apps to help people make lifesaving decisions.

HOW YOU CAN HELP The Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Florence by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. The Red Cross honors donor intent. Donors can designate their donation to Hurricane Florence relief efforts by choosing that option when donating on redcross.org or on 1-800-RED CROSS.

PLEASE GIVE BLOOD  Hurricane Florence has already forced the cancellation of blood drives in Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Additional blood drive cancellations are expected over the coming days, with fewer blood donors available to give at drives in and around affected areas due to poor weather conditions.

Eligible donors in unaffected areas are urged to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets to help maintain the nation’s blood supply. There is a critical need to platelet and type O blood donations. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

BECOME A VOLUNTEER Trained disaster volunteers are always needed. Join us at RedCross.org/volunteer.

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