As Tropical Storm Isaac continues to head toward the Caribbean, the American Red Cross asks all Florida residents to take precautions. Red Cross disaster teams are assembling and coordinating with local governments. Locally, Red Cross volunteers have been asked to be on full alert as the potential for severe weather is expected to increase into the weekend.
Southwest Florida residents should be preparing now for this storm. An emergency kit should include a three-day supply of water for each person, food that does not require refrigeration, flashlights with extra batteries, a battery or crank-powered weather radio and a first aid kit. A more complete list of hurricane kit items can be found here. Discuss your hurricane plan with your family and stay informed of the changing weather patterns by watching or listening to local weather reports is critical.
For more information about preparing for a hurricane, click here.
Those who may be in the path of the storm can download the new free Red Cross Hurricane App which puts real time information on hurricane safety at someone’s fingertips. The app features information on Red Cross shelters and a toolkit with a flashlight, strobe light and alarm. The one-touch “I’m Safe” button lets someone use social media outlets to let family and friends know they are okay. People across the country planning to travel to areas predicted to get hit with the storm can use the app to receive weather alerts. The Hurricane App can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.