Red Cross issues safety advice as potential for Imelda impacts increase for South Carolina next week

Invest 94L is forecast to become Tropical Storm Imelda on the next few days. The American Red Cross of South Carolina is preparing for potential impacts by mobilizing volunteer teams, positioning relief supplies, and coordinating with state and local emergency management officials. Just as the Red Cross is preparing to respond, we urge South Carolinians to get ready now and prepare for potential flooding, downed trees, heavy rains, strong winds, and prolonged power outages. 

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS:

Sit down with your family to make two plans: one to evacuate and one to shelter safely at home, so you’re prepared for either scenario, depending on the advice of local officials. 

o        If you need to evacuate, plan where you’ll go, how you’ll get there, and where you’ll stay. If local officials call for an evacuation, plan to do so immediately.

o        If you can safely stay home, be ready to live without utilities for a week or longer.

o        Always include pets, older adults and small children’s unique needs in your plans.

Build your emergency kit: The most important thing is that you consider your family’s unique needs and build your kit accordingly.

o        Your kit should include food, water, medicine for everyone in your home – including pets.

o        Don’t forget batteries and chargers for your phone and any medical devices.

o        Don’t forget to add copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.

o        Also include a first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants or pets, a multi-purpose tool and personal hygiene items.

Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster; and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders. 

• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately and go to a safe place. Follow evacuation routes and don’t try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked.
• If officials don’t recommend evacuating, take shelter in an interior room. Stay away from glass windows and doors.
• Know that mobile homes and RVs cannot provide safe shelter from tropical-storm or hurricane-force winds.
• Plan well in advance if you will need help leaving or plan to use public transportation to evacuate.

Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government and download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts, open shelter locations, and safety advice in both English and Spanish.  Search “American Red Cross” in app stores, or go to redcross.org/apps.

Visit redcross.org/hurricane for full hurricane safety information.