Red Cross urges people to prepare for typhoon season

“Every year, coastal communities around the Pacific suffer tragic loss of life and property because of typhoons, which can devastate our island region with destructive winds, heavy rains and flooding, and storm surges,” said Red Cross disaster services director J.D. Tenorio. “Because we know that our region is at risk every year, it is vital that we work to keep our families safe by preparing for typhoon season before it even starts. Taking a few moments to discuss some simple, common-sense preparedness steps with your family can save your life and the lives of the ones you love.”

“Advance warning systems give us time to evacuate threatened areas when a storm is imminent,” Tenorio said. “However, instead of waiting until a storm is threatening our community, the time to prepare is now.”

Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places—a family member or a friend’s home that is a concrete structure and away from low-lying areas, or a shelter. If you know you will be evacuating to a shelter, you can call PSS or EMO to identify which shelter you should evacuate to. Be familiar with your community’s evacuation routes. Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest storm conditions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. In case you have to evacuate to a shelter, be sure to bring medications, food and water for at least 2-3 days, extra clothing, pillows and blankets and other hygiene and comfort supplies for all members of your family. Be sure to also make advance preparations for pets, which aren’t allowed in shelters.

Have emergency supplies set aside for all members of your household, including emergency medications, non-perishable food and a can opener, bottled water (at least three gallons per person), a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, extra clothes, important documents, cash and credit cards, a first aid kit and other special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members and pets.

Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent aluminum or removable wood shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Move or secure picnic tables and lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile.

For more information, contact the NMI Chapter at 234-3459 or visit www.nmi.redcross.org. [B][I](ARC)[/I][/B]