Greater Houston Area Red Cross RSS Feed

HEAVY RAIN AND FLOOD PREPAREDNESS

Cameron Ballantyne - noemail@houstonredcross.org — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON TEXAS, JANUARY 9, 2012---Over the course of the morning, the Houston area has been hit with rain, thunder storms, hail and some funnel clouds. The American Red Cross is urging people living around Houston to get prepared now. If your neighborhood is threatened, you should.

Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for the area, head for higher ground and stay there.
Stay away from floodwaters. If someone comes upon a flowing stream where water is above their ankles, they should stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep a person off of their feet.
If someone comes upon a flooded road while driving, they should turn around and go another way. If caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around them, they should get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

People should know what the warnings mean. A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in the area. If a flood watch is issued, people should move their furniture and valuables to higher floors of their home. People should keep their vehicle’s gas tank full in case they have to evacuate.

A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in the area. If a flood warning is issued, listen to local radio and television stations for information. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

-End-
Flood Update (4:51pm):

The American Red Cross will be opening a shelter at the Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church for those displaced by the floods. If needed, please seek shelter at 4600 Reed Road, Houston, TX, 77051. If possible, the American Red Cross recommends bringing bedding and other items which may help you feel more comfortable. It is also important to bring any medications needed, if possible.

9-Jan-12 2:00 PM

Red Cross Continues Irene Relief, Keeping an Eye on the Gulf

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Friday, September 02, 2011 — Going into Labor Day weekend, the American Red Cross continues to help communities that were impacted by Hurricane Irene, and is carefully monitoring a tropical depression that could bring torrential rain to parts of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Irene Response Continues
Nearly a week after Hurricane Irene made landfall, the Red Cross has provided more than 55,000 overnight shelter stays to people impacted by the storm. In communities stretching from North Carolina to Maine, the Red Cross is providing food, shelter, cleanup supplies and emotional support to those whose homes were affected by the hurricane.

In many ways, the cleanup can seem more daunting than the storm itself, as it stretches on for days and weeks.

Julie Gray came to the roadside in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., late Tuesday afternoon to accept free meals from a Red Cross mobile feeding vehicle. Volunteer Eilene Guy explained how the Red Cross helps victims of disaster, and volunteer Carrie Smith helped carry several hot meals of chicken, creamed potatoes and applesauce to Gray’s home.

Tears of fatigue and emotion brimmed in Gray’s eyes, even as she tried to maintain a brave face in the wake of Hurricane Irene’s destruction. A lifelong resident of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, she is finding the cleanup daunting.

When the Red Cross vehicle stopped at Gray’s waterfront home to deliver hot meals after a strenuous day of cleanup, she told volunteer Carrie Smith, “You can’t imagine what this means.”

Preparing on the Gulf of Mexico
What is now Tropical Depression 13 threatens to bring heavy rain and flooding to several states along the Gulf over the next several days. The Red Cross is carefully monitoring the storm’s movement, and urges anyone who could be impacted to prepare for potential floods.

First, make sure you have a disaster supply kit ready, including food (at least a three-day, non-perishable supply) and water (a least a three-day supply; one gallon per person per day).

Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAAWeather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the NationalWeather Service (NWS).

Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.

If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

Kill Devil Hills, N.C., resident Julie Gray accepts free hot meals from Red Cross volunteer Carrie Smith.

Photo: Daniel Cima/American Red Cross

Shop Redcrossstore.org for all your preparedness needs.

Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

More preparedness information can be found on www.redcross.org.

2-Sep-11 1:00 PM

This is National Preparedness Month – Are You Ready?

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Thursday, September 01, 2011 - As thousands of people deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, National Preparedness Month, which starts today, is an opportunity to remind people of the importance of being ready for emergencies and steps that they can take class.

The three key steps to preparedness are Build a kit, make a plan, and be informed.

An emergency preparedness kit should include enough supplies for at least three days. Supplies should include water (one gallon, per person, per day), nonperishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a 7-day supply of medications, a multi-purpose tool, sanitation and personal hygiene items and copies of important personal documents. The Red Cross also recommends having at least two weeks worth of supplies at home. A variety of emergency preparedness kits, first aid kits and other supplies are available at www.redcrossstore.org.

View the BRCR module

All members of the household should work together on an emergency plan. Each person should know how to reach other members of the household. The plan should also include an out-of-area emergency contact person, and where everyone should meet if they can't go home. People should be informed about what types of disasters are most likely to occur where they live and how local authorities will contact them in a disaster. Every household should have someone take First Aid and CPR/AED training to be able to respond to health emergencies at home in case advanced medical help is delayed.

A recent Red Cross survey showed that more and more people are using online news sites and social media platforms in an emergency to gather information and let their loved ones know they are safe. The Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Ad Council and Google Crisis Response recently launched a new preparedness web resource, Get Tech Ready, which teaches people how to use technology to prepare, adapt and recover from emergencies or disasters.

“During Hurricane Irene, we saw people using new technologies in many ways, whether it was thousands of people downloading our new shelter finder app or others using our Safe and Well site and social media to let their friends and family know they are okay, ” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the Red Cross. “People now have more resources at their fingertips to use before, during and after emergencies.”

Get Tech Ready teaches people how to send updates via text and internet from their mobile phone; how to store important documents in the cloud or on a flash or jump drive and how to create an emergency information document using the Ready.gov Family Emergency Plan template in Google Docs or by downloading the ReadyFamilyEmergencyPlan.

Studies show that up to 40 percent of businesses fail following a natural or man-made disaster. The Red Cross Ready Rating™ Program is a free, self-paced, web-based membership program that helps businesses and schools measure how ready they are to deal with emergencies, and gives customized feedback on how they can improve their efforts.

No one can predict where or when the next large disaster will strike, but preparedness steps taken today can save lives and livelihoods tomorrow. People can contact their local Red Cross to learn what steps they should take to be ready when emergencies strike.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

1-Sep-11 8:00 AM

Returning Home, But Finding Devastation

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, August 30, 2011 — Days after Hurricane Irene swept the East Coast, millions of people are facing power outages, floods and damaged or destroyed homes.

Since Friday, the American Red Cross has provided more than 52,000 overnight shelter stays to those impacted by Irene. More than 2,700 people were still in Red Cross shelters on Monday night, while others have returned home only to find their houses damaged or destroyed.

The Red Cross has 260 mobile feeding vehicles—more than two-thirds its entire fleet—now assigned to states hit by the storm. The Red Cross has also worked with long-time partners such as the Southern Baptist Convention to set up and operate ten kitchens, which are capable of producing a total of about 140,000 hot meals every day.

Many of these meals will be loaded onto Red Cross vehicles and distributed in neighborhoods where people are now returning home—in some cases, to homes with no power. The Red Cross has also arranged to procure approximately 1.3 million catered meals through various vendors in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.

Thousands of supplies have also been shipped by the Red Cross to affected states to help residents as they begin to clean up their homes. These items include tarps, rakes, shovels, trash bags and buckets.

In Columbia, N.C., Allen Melton came back to his house on Monday to find the unthinkable.

“We left out of here before the storm,” Melton said, walking past his pickup truck, the high-water mark nearly three feet above the ground still visible on the black paint. They didn’t expect to return to a house full of water. “The water poured out when I opened the door,” he said.

Inside, the sofa had floated to the middle of the living room; in the first-floor bedroom, sodden clothes littered the floor.

Melton braved the wind and rain that continued Saturday evening to save his dog, whose head was just above water in the backyard, and to rescue his wife’s pride and joy, the potted plants that passersby stopped to admire in her front yard.

By Monday, two days after the storm passed, the floor boards were beginning to buckle and the house was beginning to smell of mold. Although Melton knows the house is a total loss, he is mindful of the sorrows of his neighbors and others in this hard-hit region of eastern North Carolina south of Albemarle Sound.

“Thanks for all you’re doing for the people around here,” he tells an American Red Cross disaster team. “There are so many people who have lost everything.”

The Red Cross information sheet, Returning Home After a Hurricane or Flood, can help keep you safe after the storm. A mobile-friendly version is also available on www.redcross.org/mobile.

How You Can Help – Financial and Blood Donations

In addition to inflicting billions of dollars in damage along the East Coast, Hurricane Irene has also affected the blood supply. Since the storm hit, 72 blood drives have been cancelled, leading to a shortfall of 2,444 units of blood. These numbers are expected to rise, given the storm damage and power outages in many areas. The Red Cross is urging immediate blood and platelet donations in areas unaffected by this storm and asks that people in affected areas consider donating blood once it’s safe to do so. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org.

Those who want to help can also make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. This gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS; you can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Allen Melton stands outside his house with Red Cross worker Eileen Guy. Melton and his wife returned home on Monday to find their house damaged by floodwaters.

Safety after the storm

The Red Cross information sheet, Returning Home After a Hurricane or Flood, can help keep you safe after the storm. A mobile-friendly version is also available on www.redcross.org/mobile.

30-Aug-11 3:00 PM

Hurricane Irene - Get Help Now

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Hurricane Irene - Get Help Now

27-Aug-11 9:00 PM

Houston Area Red Cross Volunteers Head North in Advance of Hurricane Irene

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 01:00:00 GMT

(August 26, 2011) – Five Disaster Volunteers from the Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American Red Cross are being deployed to the Northeast in advance of Hurricane Irene’s landfall. This is part of the American Red Cross’ nationwide response to Hurricane Irene, which is expected to affect a large area along the Eastern seaboard. Irene is a huge storm with strong winds extending far inland which could affect areas miles away from the coast.

Our nationwide network of Red Cross Disaster Volunteers is trained to provide shelter, food and emotional support. The affected area covers a huge geography and people will likely need help for weeks, perhaps months. To meet those needs, the Red Cross is mobilizing volunteers and supplies from North Carolina to New England.

· We have more than 200 emergency response vehicles – nearly two-thirds of our total fleet -- now assigned to states that could be impacted by Hurricane Irene. These trucks go into neighborhoods to distribute meals, snacks and clean-up supplies.

· We are sending an initial 60,000 shelf stable meals to Richmond VA, and 60,000 to Massachusetts; and we are working with the Southern Baptists to open kitchens and serve approximately 250,000 meals per day once the storm passes and we are able to move trailers into the areas.

· We have already deployed hundreds of trained volunteers to the affected areas, and we have thousands more volunteers that are on alert to help.

· Last night hundreds of people sought refuge in Red Cross shelters in North Carolina and Maryland.

· The Red Cross has additional shelters open in Delaware, New Jersey and New York where residents are being encouraged to evacuate. And we’ll be opening more shelters in other states as the storm moves up the coast.

· People can find open Red Cross shelters on an interactive Google map at redcross.org or by downloading the free Red Cross shelter app for their iPhone. They should also follow to their local media – radio, newspaper and television – to find out where local shelters are.

· Like every other agency, Red Cross phone lines may be overwhelmed after the storm, so if people don’t have access to the internet, they should listen to your local media outlets for the locations of shelters near you.

· Many areas could be inaccessible after the storm meaning first responders can’t get in and Red Cross can’t offer services there. They need to leave when told and make plans to take care of their loved ones for at least 72 hours.

The Red Cross Safe and Well website helps people let friends and family know where they are as Hurricane Irene moves up the coast. They can register for Safe and Well by going to redcross.org.

· Safe and Well is a secure and easy-to-use online tool that helps families connect during emergencies.

· They can also call a family member or friend with internet access and ask them to register them.

Irene could affect blood collections along the East Coast, at a time when the blood supply is already low. The Red Cross is urging those who are eligible to give blood prior to the storm’s arrival.

How People Can Help

During large disasters, people want to help. We want to remind the public that the Red Cross does not accept donations of goods for several reasons: we don’t have warehouses to store items; we don’t have volunteers to sort them and it’s costly to transport them to the disaster area. If people have items, please give them to a local charity. There are many excellent ones in the Houston area that have the structure to accept donated items.

To assist the American Red Cross in its Disaster Relief efforts, please click, text or call to donate. Your gift brings hope to those in need.

· Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

· Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

· Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

To Volunteer:

We greatly appreciate people wanting to volunteer, but they’re most useful when they’re trained. Red Cross courses will enable them to support local disaster responses, including residential fires, to gain some response experience as all disaster responses start locally.

The first step in becoming a Greater Houston Area Red Cross volunteer is to take the New Volunteer Orientation. There is one scheduled for September 7^th, 2011. Sign up online at houstonredcross.org.
After taking orientation, people who want to volunteer for disasters can take Red Cross Disaster Courses. Many of our Disaster volunteers assist with local and national disasters.

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26-Aug-11 8:00 PM

Red Cross Opening Shelters, Mobilizing Equipment As Hurricane Irene Heads Toward East Coast

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Residents urged to heed evacuation orders.

WASHINGTON, August 25, 2011 – Hurricane Irene is headed toward the East Coast and the American Red Cross is mobilizing disaster workers and equipment along much of the eastern seaboard to help those in the path of this powerful storm.

Hurricane Irene is predicted to be the largest storm to hit the East Coast in more than 70 years, and could threaten several big population centers. A hurricane watch has been issued for the North Carolina coast and the Red Cross has opened shelters in the state as evacuation orders go into effect. In addition, more than 200 Red Cross mobile feeding vehicles are heading towards the coast to help people in the path of the storm.

"The Red Cross is moving volunteers, vehicles and supplies, getting ready for a response effort that spans nearly the entire East Coast," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "While we're getting ready at the Red Cross, we want everyone in the storm's path to get ready as well by getting a disaster kit, making a family emergency plan, and listening to local officials regarding evacuations."

Dozens of shelters are being prepared all along the East Coast. People can find open Red Cross shelters by viewing an interactive Google map at www.redcross.org or by downloading the free Red Cross shelter app for their iPhone from the iTunes store. A mobile-friendly version of the Hurricane Safety Checklist is now available for smart phone users to download at www.redcross.org/mobile.

It’s important that those affected by the storm stay in contact with loved ones and the Red Cross Safe and Well website can help them do that. Safe and Well is a secure, easy-to-use online tool to help families connect in an emergency. People can register by visiting the Red Cross web site or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions could be a threat within 48 hours. An upgrade to a hurricane warning will mean hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. Those in the affected area should finish their storm preparations and evacuate if authorities ask them to do so.

Hurricane Irene has caused significant damage in the southern Bahamas and the Bahamas Red Cross is managing shelters and helping people displaced by the storm. A regional disaster management expert is headed to the Bahamas today to assist with disaster assessment and response. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Red Cross is mobilizing volunteers as flooding, damage to homes and impassable roads are left in the storm’s wake. The United Nations is reporting hundreds of homes have been damaged and it is difficult to communicate with many localities.

In addition, Irene could affect blood collections along the East Coast at a time when the nation’s blood supply is already low. The Red Cross is urging those who are eligible to give blood prior to the storm’s arrival. Donating blood now, before the storm, will help ensure blood is available in the aftermath of Irene should conditions prohibit people from traveling to blood collections.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet height and weight requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height), and who are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit us online at www.redcrossblood.org.

Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) members support Red Cross disaster efforts by pledging donations to the Red Cross in advance of major disasters to ensure an immediate response to help people affected. ADGP members responsible for these generous donations include 3M, Altria Group, Aon, Caterpillar, Cisco Foundation , ConAgra Foods , Costco Wholesale Corporation, Darden Restaurants, Inc., Dr Pepper Snapple Group , FedEx Corporation, GE Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation , John Deere Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Kraft Foods, Lowe's Companies, Inc., Merck, Morgan Stanley, Nationwide Insurance Foundation, Northrop Grumman, Optum, Ryder Charitable Foundation, Southwest Airlines, State Farm, State Street Foundation, Target, The TJX Companies, Inc., UnitedHealthcare, UPS and Walmart.

American Red Cross disaster preparedness starts long before a hurricane makes landfall, beginning with keeping supplies and equipment on stand-by all year to help people in need. On average, the Red Cross spends about $450 million on disaster relief every year. If someone would like to support Red Cross disaster efforts, they can make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or sending contributions to their local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

About the American Red Cross:

25-Aug-11 1:00 PM

Red Cross Urges Those in the Possible Path of Hurricane Irene to Get Ready Now

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 — Irene, the first hurricane of 2011, is pounding Puerto Rico today with heavy rain and winds as high as 80 miles per hour after leaving many residents on St. Thomas and St. Croix without power Sunday. Irene is expected to gain strength as the week goes on, threatening Florida and the southeast states as early as Thursday.

The American Red Cross opened shelters on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John and is working closely with government partners in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to coordinate any relief services that may be needed. The Red Cross has warehouses on the islands equipped with thousands of cots and blankets, kerosene lanterns and comfort and clean-up supplies.

Shop Redcrossstore.org for all your hurricane preparedness needs.

Experts predict the storm will impact Haiti and the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. In Haiti, the Red Cross is busy preparing for the storm, working to help people in vulnerable camps prepare for the storm, and putting emergency disaster risk reduction teams on alert.

The American Red Cross has been working in Haiti’s camps for many months on such activities as emergency first aid courses, training in early warning systems (megaphones and whistles), projects such as digging ditches and sandbagging hillsides, preparing evacuation routes and teaching children about disaster preparedness.

Red Cross officials are preparing to respond along the East Coast if needed, and urge anyone in Irene’s projected path to get ready too. Trained disaster relief workers are on alert, along with Red Cross mobile feeding vehicles and trucks equipped with communications technology.

“Just because the U.S. has largely been spared from hurricanes over the past several years is no reason to believe Irene will change course and go out to sea,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president of Disaster Services for the Red Cross. “People who live in or who are vacationing in the areas that could be affected by this storm need to get ready now.”

It’s important to know what the hurricane warnings mean. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions could threaten the area within 48 hours. People should stay informed and be ready to act if a warning is issued. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. Those in the affected area should finish their storm preparations and leave the area if authorities ask them to do so.

The Red Cross has steps people can take this week as the storm approaches to help ensure their safety and the safety of their loved ones.

Before the hurricane:

Check your emergency supplies and replace or restock as needed. Your disaster kit should contain items such as gallons of water, non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food and sanitation and personal hygiene items. More information about what you should include is available on the Red Cross web site.
Create an evacuation plan with members of your household and practice it to cut down on any confusion.
Plan routes to your community’s shelters, register family members with special needs as required.
Make plans for your pets.

If a hurricane is predicted for your area:

Bring items inside that can be picked up by the wind.
Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings and keep them closed as much as possible so food will last longer if the power goes out.
Turn off any propane tanks and unplug your small appliances.
Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.
Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If you don’t have hurricane shutters, close and board up your windows and doors with plywood.
Listen to local authorities and evacuate if advised to do so. Be careful to avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.

After a hurricane:

Return home only when officials say it is safe.
Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them to the power company.
Stay out of any building that has water around it.
Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you’re sure it’s not contaminated.
Keep your animals under your direct control./li>

23-Aug-11 1:00 PM

So Far, 2011 A Costly Disaster Year

Rangel - noemail@houstonredcross.org — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Experts estimate disasters caused more than $35 billion in losses

Thursday, August 18, 2011 — It’s been a costly year for disasters in the United States and the American Red Cross has been responding all over the country to help the thousands of people affected by flooding, tornadoes, drought and extreme heat, wildfires and other emergencies.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates the country’s economic loss attributable to disasters at more than $35 billion so far with several disasters each adding up to losses of $1 billion or more. The country is in the midst of hurricane season, which experts predict could be very active, so these numbers could grow.

The disasters in the NOAA report include:

flooding in the upper Midwest (Montana, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri)
flooding along the Mississippi River, especially in Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri and Louisiana
extreme drought and heat combined with wildfires in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas, Arkansas and Louisiana
deadly tornadoes in the Midwest and southeast (Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee)

Nearly 14,000 Red Cross disaster workers from across the country supported 46 relief operations spread over more than half of the country this spring. They opened 287 shelters, served 3.5 million meals and snacks, distributed 1.7 million relief items, and provided 81,000 mental health and health consultations.

Their work is not over. More than 100 people in North Dakota remain in shelters after the disastrous flooding in the Minot area. Every day chapters respond to smaller disasters such as home fires. One fire involving multiple families in Montgomery County, MD, resulted in 85 residents coming to a Red Cross shelter.

Every year, the Red Cross spends an average of approximately $450 million preparing for and responding to nearly 70,000 disasters across the country and around the world. This includes both large disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes and smaller disasters such as house fires.

If you would like to help, please consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

18-Aug-11 3:00 PM

Red Cross Tips Help Kids Stay Safe When Home Alone

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:00:00 GMT

August 2011 — As children around the nation are returning to school, many of them will be spending time home alone after school until their parents get home from work.

The American Red Cross has steps parents and children can take to make these after-school hours safer and less stressful.

“The first thing parents need to decide is if their child is old enough to stay home alone,” said Dr. David Markenson, chair of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and pediatric expert. “If not, other options include after-school child care, programs at schools and youth clubs, or enrolling the child in youth sports programs.”

“When a child is old enough will vary from child to child based on their individual development, comfort and maturity. Parents and guardians should consider their child’s maturity level and ask if he or she would be comfortable being left alone for an extended period of time,” Markenson added. “If so, parents and guardians should develop a home safety plan and discuss it and practice it with their children.”

The Red Cross recommends that parents and guardians take the following steps if a child will be home alone after school.

If the child is going to go home after school, it’s a good idea to have them call to check in when they get home. For an older child, set ground rules about whether other kids can come over when the parents are absent, whether cooking is an option, whether they can leave the home.

Other steps that parents and guardians can include in their home safety plans:

Post an emergency phone list where the children can see it. Include 9-1-1, the parents work and cell numbers, numbers for neighbors, and the numbers for anyone else who is close and trusted.
Identify neighbors whose home your child can go to in case of an emergency that requires your child to leave your home.
Practice an emergency plan with the child so they know what to do in case of fire, injury, or other emergencies. Write the plan down and make sure the child knows where it is.
Make sure the first aid kit is stocked and stored where your children can find it; keep it out of reach of young children.
Let children know where the flashlights are kept. Make sure that the batteries are fresh, and that the child knows how to use them.
Remove or safely store in locked areas dangerous items like guns, ammunition, knives, hand tools, power tools, razor blades, scissors, and other objects that can cause injury.
Make sure potential poisons like detergents, polishes, pesticides, car-care fluids, lighter fluid and lamp oils are stored in locked cabinets or out of the reach of children.
Make sure medicine is kept in a locked storage place or out of the reach of children.
Install safety covers on all unused electrical outlets.
Limit any cooking a young child can do. Make sure at least one approved smoke alarm is installed and operating on each level of the home.
Limit the time the child spends in front of the television or computer. Activate parental controls. Use programs that limit the sites children can visit, restrict chat sites and allow parents to monitor online activity.

Safety Steps for Children
When talking to kids about being at home alone, parents should stress the following steps, and post them somewhere to remind the child about what they should, or shouldn’t, do until mom, dad or caregiver get home:

Lock the door and make sure all the windows are closed and locked.
If the home has an electronic security system, children should learn how to turn it on and have it on when home alone.
Never open the door to strangers. Always check before opening the door to anyone, looking out through a peephole or window first. Only open the door for people that parents and guardians have given you permission to let in the house. If unsure, contact your caregiver.
Never open the door to delivery people or service representatives. Ask delivery people to leave the package at the door or tell them to come back at another time. Service representatives, such as a TV cable installer, should have an appointment when an adult is home.
Never tell someone on the telephone that the parents are not at home. Say something like “He or she is busy right now. Can I take a message?”
Do not talk about being home alone on public websites. Kids should be cautious about sharing information about their location when using chat rooms or posting on social networks.
Never leave the house without permission. If it’s okay to go outside, children should contact their parents and tell them where they are going, when they are leaving, and when they will return. If mom and dad are still at work, children should call them when they leave and when they return home.
Do not go outside to check out an unusual noise. If the noise worries the child, they should call their parents, an adult, or the police.
Don’t talk to strangers.
Do not have friends over to visit when your parents aren’t at home. Do not let anyone inside who is using drugs or alcohol, even if you know them.
If the child smells smoke or hears a fire or smoke alarm, they should get outside and ask a neighbor to call the fire department.

Consider Babysitter’s Training for Youth Taking Care of Others
Many tweens and teens are responsible for watching younger siblings. The Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course provides 11 to 15 year-olds with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly provide care for children and infants. Participants learn basic child care and first aid, develop leadership skills and learn how to develop a babysitting business. Contact your local Red Cross or visit www.redcross.org/babysitting for more information.

16-Aug-11 11:00 AM

Houston Volunteers Assist Tornado Victims

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:00:00 GMT

News Release -- Houston Volunteers Assist Tornado Victims

City and County Fire Officials Help Launch Red Cross Campaign

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:00:00 GMT

The Greater Houston Area Red Cross hosted a News Conference March 1, 2011 to announce the launch of the Fire Hurts, Red Cross Helps campaign. There are two goals: to raise awareness and money. We want the community to be aware that everyday we’re helping at least two families whose homes burned, often more, and that fires are preventable. Since our Chapter spends almost $1-million on direct assistance to fire victims each year, we are launching a $1-millon fundraising campaign, starting today through June 30. The Red Cross also wants residents to take steps to prevent fires; visit houstonredcross.org for safety and preparedness information. Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, the Greater Houston Area Red Cross offers help and hope, providing immediate, emergency assistance to fire victims in our 16-county area. Last fiscal year, our Chapter assisted 900 families, 3,000 individuals who lost their homes and possessions in fires. While disaster assistance is free to...

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Text GIFT to 90999 and help the Red Cross Mobile Givers Can Text a $25 Donation Now Through December 31 Cell phone users can text the word GIFT to 90999 from now through December 31 to make a $25 donation to the American Red Cross. Donations will support the work of the Red Cross, including disaster response, collecting lifesaving blood, teaching skills that can save a life, or assisting military members and their families. This new mobile giving program, which runs through December 31, is the first to be done with a number of wireless carriers with a holiday-themed keyword and a $25 amount. “Over three million people made a $10 donation via text to help the people of Haiti last January. We are now asking them to help the work of the American Red Cross down the street, across the country, and around the world by making a holiday gift of $25 by text,” said Peggy Dyer, chief marketing officer of the American Red Cross. “A few finger taps on a cell phone can be...

American Red Cross Commits Additional $2 Million to Combat Cholera in Haiti

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:00:00 GMT

NOVEMBER 29, 2010 – The American Red Cross announced today it is committing an additional $2 million to combat an escalating cholera epidemic in Haiti that has killed more than 1,700 people and sickened more than 75,000. The funds will be used to purchase much-needed supplies, including 40 million chlorine tabs, 3 million pieces of soap, and 140,000 oral rehydration solution sachets, as well as tens of thousands of buckets, jerry cans and water purification sachets. These items will be distributed in coming weeks. The new contribution increases the total American Red Cross support for the cholera response to date to more than $3.3 million. The American Red Cross contribution is part of a broad response to the cholera outbreak by the global Red Cross network, which includes hygiene promotion, water and sanitation services and provision of medical supplies. MAP Haiti Cholera Outbreak -- Red Cross network response “This multi-faceted response is urgently needed...

Red Cross Prepares in Haiti as Tropical Storm Tomas Threatens

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Monday, November 01, 2010 — The Red Cross is activating its emergency plans in Haiti, with government officials describing Hurricane Tomas (now a Tropical Storm) as potentially the gravest hurricane threat to the country since Hurricane Ike in 2008. As of Monday, November 1, weather forecasters said Tomas could begin to affect Haiti as early as Tuesday, causing heavy rain and strong winds that could affect communities living along the country’s southern coast. With hundreds of thousands of people living in makeshift camps in and around the capital Port-au-Prince as a result of the January 12th earthquake, Haiti’s population is especially vulnerable to heavy winds and rain. The Red Cross has been preparing for the threat of a hurricane since February. At present, emergency stocks for 17,000 families are in Haiti and ready to be deployed to disaster-affected communities. Additional supplies for 8,000 families have also been called in from the Red Cross...

City of Houston Learn to Swim 2009

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:00:00 GMT

The 2009 Houston Parks and Recreation Learn-to-Swim program is being offered through a partnership with the Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. It is a program designed to introduce beginning swimmers to water safety, teach basic water skills and improve stroke development. There is even a separate class for adults.

Classes are scheduled Tuesday-Friday, each session being 8 meetings.
A parent or guardian MUST be present at the pool during each class meeting.
No Refunds or make-up classes will be given due to inclement weather conditions or absences.
No Refunds will be given once a session has started.
Class fee is $25.00 per student.

Complete schedule/registration

Red Cross Defends Use of Emblem & Mission

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:00:00 GMT

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:21:13 GMT

General Awards Nomination

Award Nomination Form

Aquatics & Water Safety

Thu, 03 May 2012 13:35:43 GMT

AQUATICS COURSES The American Red Cross has been a leader in aquatic education since 1914 and in the Houston area Red Cross has been teaching water safety since 1918. Aquatic programs are offered for all ages and skill levels with a focus on Learn to Swim and aquatic safety training. Courses include Longfellow's Whale Tales (for children), Lifeguard Training, Learn to Swim (levels I to VI), GuardStart, Community Water Safety and the Aquatic Examiner Service. The following courses are offered year round at Mary Jo Peckham Park Pool in Katy, TX. Registration is conducted directly at the pool for aquatic classes. In addition, these courses are offered seasonally in partnership with City of Houston Parks & Recreation. For courses offered in partnership with other providers Swimming Instruction and Water Safety Learn to Swim, Registration & Pool locations 2012 Learn-to-Swim Levels 1 -6 Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills ...

Volunteer

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:02:46 GMT

The American Red Cross works within communities, providing relief to people who have suffered a disaster. We also help people prevent, prepare for and respond to a variety of emergencies. With your help, the promise of neighbor helping neighbor in times of trouble becomes a reality and our communities become safer places to live. The Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American Red Cross recruits and trains volunteers to help deliver services throughout our 16-county area. With the help of our dedicated volunteers the Red Cross is the preeminent provider of life saving services, including disaster preparedness, emergency social services, health and safety training,& local non-emergency transportation. There are so many ways through that you can help. Be a hero and get involved! Volunteer Opportunities. Steps to Become a Volunteer 1. Complete the on-line application 2. Complete the background check. A. Go to Background Check B. Click the Black Bar that reads...

Galveston County

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:20:26 GMT

....Even at the beach your local Red Cross is there.....We now offer on-line training for CPR! Serving these communities: From the mainland office at Texas City Galveston Island League City Tiki Island Bolivar Dickinson Texas City La Marque Santa Fe Hitchcock Bacliff San Leon Read about... American Red Cross and Galveston United Way Work Together to Prepare Applicants for Jobs on the Island The American Red Cross offers a wide variety of training courses in first aid, CPR, AED, lifeguarding, swimming, babysitting, caregiving, and other areas for both individuals and organizations. We are the most trusted training provider of health and safety training that meets OSHA guidelines and many other professional and regulatory standards. Many self-study classes are available online and you can also register for classroom courses. You can: Browse for courses Find and register for classroom training Take a course online Download free digital course materials ...

Volunteer Week

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:56:38 GMT

Happy National Volunteer Week!

We try to honor you throughout the year for your dedication to the our organization. This week we want to especially honor you and your service to your community through the American Red Cross.

Once again, thank you for your priceless service and dedication. The Red Cross would not be the same without you.

Fran Parent, Regional Director of Volunteer Services

To Read more about volunteer week Click Here

Clara Barton

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:14:56 GMT

April 12 marked the 100th anniversary of Clara Barton's death and the 151st anniversary of the American Civil War. Before she became the angel of the battlefield, Clara Barton was a teacher and an advocate for public education. After her experiences helping the sick and wounded during the Civil War, Clara combined her teaching skills with her passion for humanitarianism and became the advocate and champion that we celebrate her as today. While many of her contributions as the founder of the American Red Cross are well known, not so well known is the lasting impact of her work following the Civil War to locate missing soldiers, collaborate with representatives from the newly formed international Red Cross in Europe, and to speak out publicly and advocate through government channels with three US presidents and administrations to adopt the first Geneva Convention. Students in classrooms around the country learn about Clara Barton yet these significant dates provide opportunities to...

North Texas

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:14:37 GMT

Tornadoes ravaged through the city of Dallas, April 3, leaving many without a place to stay. The American Red Cross in the Dallas area set up shelters and mobilized their mobile feeding trucks to start helping victims. Many Red Cross volunteers are already on the scene. Our local chapter is contacting our Red Cross volunteers to make sure they are available to deploy if and when the Red Cross North Texas Region requests additional volunteers.

The best way to help our neighbors in Texas is to make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. There are several ways to do this. Donate on our website and click on "DONATE." You can also text the word REDCROSS to 90999 on a cell phone for a $10 donation that will be billed on your next cell phone statement. More info on that here: https://american.redcross.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=ntld_nolnav_text2help

For immediate and more specific updates to our American Red Cross response in Dallas, please follow the Dallas Red Cross chapter on Twitter at www.twitter.com/redcrossdfw. You do NOT need a Twitter account to view this page.

All shelter residence are encouraged to register in the Dallas area to our Safe and Well website. If you know anyone in the Dallas area and would like to know if they are ok please visit our safe and well website to search for them: Safe and Well.

Click Here for Tornado Safety Tips!

Ben & Jerry's

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:31:55 GMT

Cone and Get It! Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day to Benefit the American Red Cross April 3, 2012 Noon to 8 p.m. Ben & Jerry’s 5515 Kirby Drive Houston, TX 77005 For the second year in a row the American Red Cross will be benefit from Ben and Jerry’s National Free Cone Day. As a way to thank their valued customers for their support and to celebrate 34 years of scooping the chunkiest, funkiest ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet, Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops are happily giving tasty cones away! The American Red Cross will also receive 10% of the proceeds from the ice cream sold on April 3 between noon and 8 p.m. The funds raised will support the local Fire Hurts Red Cross Helps campaign and our responses to residential fires throughout Houston.

Preparedness on the Square

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:51:15 GMT

March 22, 2012 11am-1pm Hermann Square - 901 Bagby Reflecting Pond behind City Hall $5 entry fee Key Note Speakers: CB meteorologist, Gene Norman Harris County Judge, Ed Emmett Lunch and Refreshments: Ben & Jerry's Chick-fil-A Freebirds James Coney Island My Fit Foods Coca Cola Participants: Houston Astros Houston Texans Houston Dynamo Houston Rockets Sugar Land Skeeters University of Houston Athletics Preparedness Information Provided by: Grainer Home Depot Life Gear State Farm Houston Police Department Houston Fire Department City of Houston Office of Emergency Management Harris County Emergency Management National Weather Service United Way Weather Museum

Staff Directory

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:23:53 GMT

Greater Houston Area Chapter 2700 Southwest Freeway Houston, Texas 77098 Hours: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday-Friday STAFF BY DEPARTMENT General Management Regional Chapter Executive Steve Vetrano Executive Assistant Lucrecia Smith Regional Chief Development Officer Susy Smith Regional Emergency Services Director Tim Kidwell Regional Communications Officer Cameron Ballantyne Regional Director, Volunteer Services Frances Parent Regional Director, Support Services Jim Taylor Office of Volunteer Services (OVS) Volunteer Services Program Manager (youth) Kimberly Patel Administrative Specialist Tarynn Brewer Transportation Managing Director Steve Atchison Assistant Director Herbert Melton Supervisor Brandy Turner Program Coordinator I Jimmie Brown Driver Donna Cooper Driver Cynthia Foreman Driver Marcus Goodlow Branch Office Locations: NORTH BAY AREA BRANCH OFFICE (Eastern Harris Co., Liberty , Chambers ) Decker Drive Baytown, TX...

Staff Survey on Volunteers

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Release Date: 11-Jan-11 8:00 AM
Expiration Date: 31-Jan-11 8:00 AM

Diversity Committee

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Release Date: 23-Nov-10 11:00 AM
Expiration Date: 21-Feb-11 11:00 AM

Dear Fellow Coworkers

The Diversity Committee would like to have your valuable input, in determining the topics to be presented in 2011. The goal of our diversity presentations is to create awareness and sensitivity, improve cultural competencies and foster a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment in which to work and deliver services.

Please select from the following list the (4) four topics that most interest you. If you would like to suggest a topic please be sure to include it in the section, other. Your time and valuable input is greatly appreciated, thank you!

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Diversity Committee during the 2011 year, please contact David Roetto, the 2010 Committee Chairman, at droetto@ghac.org no later than December 7, 2010.

Paid Holidays

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Release Date: 19-Oct-10 9:00 AM
Expiration Date: 26-Oct-10 5:00 PM

We need your input!

As part of the standardization of personnel polices, our paid holidays will be changing next year (2011). There are seven days mandated by NHQ:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

However, we have an additional three days which we are allowed some flexibility on. We propose these 3 days - Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day (in place of Veteran’s Day) and Floating Holiday (in place of President’s Day). Below are how we propose to allocate them. We would appreciate your feedback about the holidays.

Due to tight timeframes with National, this survey will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 26, 2010.

If you agree with the suggestion, click on the "I agree" button.

If you would rather see that day used in another way, enter how you would use it in the comments box and click on the "I disagree" button.

Test

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

help

Release Date: 4-Jun-10 4:00 PM
Expiration Date: 2-Sep-10 4:00 PM

IT Survey

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Please take a minute to complete this survey on our IT area. All responses are anonamous.

Release Date: 28-Feb-10 2:00 PM
Expiration Date: 15-Mar-10 2:00 PM

Annual Holiday Party

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

The ESCape Committee would like YOUR input as we plan our 2010 Employee Holiday Party.

Please be as specific in your answers as is possible. The more information you can give us, the better!

Thank you in advance for participating in the survey.

Release Date: 13-Jan-10 12:00 PM
Expiration Date: 13-Apr-10 12:00 PM
Please be as specific in your answers as is possible

In-House Page Makers

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

This is a monthly survey for those responsible for page content for:

a specific service area
a specific branch

Your entries will be reviewed by the chapter's WAC'ed committee and responded to.

Release Date: 13-Feb-08 9:00 AM
Expiration Date: 13-Dec-08 9:00 AM
Please take a few minutes and fill in this survey when requested to. All the responces will be reviewed by the WAC'ed committee. If you want a specific responce, put your name in the text box so we will know who to contact.

HCMS User Feedback from 11.8.07 Meeting

noemail@houstonredcross.org — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

We had two items from our meeting which we should provide some feedback to Matt on.

The checklist being 'editable' by anyone as is the current status
The question of an audit trail (this is to determin interest)

Red Cross Continues Irene Relief, Keeping an Eye on the Gulf

This is National Preparedness Month – Are You Ready?

Returning Home, But Finding Devastation

Hurricane Irene - Get Help Now

Houston Area Red Cross Volunteers Head North in Advance of Hurricane Irene

Red Cross Opening Shelters, Mobilizing Equipment As Hurricane Irene Heads Toward East Coast

Residents urged to heed evacuation orders.

Red Cross Urges Those in the Possible Path of Hurricane Irene to Get Ready Now

So Far, 2011 A Costly Disaster Year

Red Cross Tips Help Kids Stay Safe When Home Alone

Houston Volunteers Assist Tornado Victims

City and County Fire Officials Help Launch Red Cross Campaign

American Red Cross Commits Additional $2 Million to Combat Cholera in Haiti

Red Cross Prepares in Haiti as Tropical Storm Tomas Threatens

City of Houston Learn to Swim 2009

Red Cross Defends Use of Emblem & Mission

Register Here

Help Here

Volunteer Week

Read More Here

Learn More Here

Learn How You Can Help

Learn More Here

Learn More Here

Learn More Here

Learn More Here

Award Nominations

Aquatics & Water Safety

Volunteer

Galveston County

Volunteer Week

Clara Barton

North Texas

Ben & Jerry's

Preparedness on the Square

Staff Directory

Staff Survey on Volunteers

Diversity Committee

Paid Holidays

Test

IT Survey

Annual Holiday Party

In-House Page Makers

HCMS User Feedback from 11.8.07 Meeting

Houston, TX Wildfire-4

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Houston, TX Wildfire-16

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Volunteer Class

Baby Sitting Class

Swimming and Water Safety

Lifeguarding

Preparedness Training Class

International & Humanitarian Law Class

Volunteer & Orientation Class

Health & Safety Class

Disaster Class