A few days ago, I wrote about the importance of putting together an Emergency Preparedness Kit. However, there is more specific advice that can be applied to disasters, such as flooding and tornadoes. We are seeing major flooding in the Midwest at the moment, but no area of the country is immune from natural disasters. Today I want to focus on what you should do in the event of a flood. Tomorrow I am going to offer some advice regarding tornadoes.

If flooding is predicted in your neighborhood, listen to local radio and tv stations for flood information. Also remember, that heavy rain can very easily become a flash flood. So preparedness is vital.

It is important to know what flood warnings mean. These warnings are listed below:

A flood watch means that a flood is possible in your area. If a flood watch is issued, move your furniture and valuables to higher floors in your home. Fill your vehicle’s gas tank in case you have to evacuate. Everyone has seen television footage of gas stations being overrun with people in the last few hours before a major emergency. It is vital that you are prepared early. Safe is better than sorry.

A flood warning means that flooding is already occurring, or will occur soon in your area. If a flood warning is issued, listen to local tv and radio stations for updates. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately.

A flash flood watch means flash flooding is possible in your area. Be alert to signs of flash flooding, and be ready to evacuate quickly.

A flash flood warning means a flash flood is occurring, or will occur very soon. If a flash flood warning is issued, evacuate immediately. By the time you hear the warning you may only have seconds to escape. Move to higher ground away from creeks, rivers, streams, and storm drains. Never drive around barricades. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and move to higher ground. Many people get caught in quickly rising floodwaters because they overestimate their chances of driving over a low bridge. In the case of a flash flood in particular, the water level can rise by meters in a matter of seconds, so if in doubt, don’t.

The volunteers of The American Red Cross provide much help and support to people during times of natural disasters such as flooding. The assistance they provide would not be possible without support from the public. This is why donations are so vital. Following natural disasters, clothing, blankets, and blood may be in high demand. Donating a used vehicle is a great way to contribute in a meaningful way. It goes without saying that natural disasters often put a great strain on the resources of The American Red Cross, so every donation helps. To you, a used car may not be worth much, but the difference it can make is immense.

A new season is upon us and it is a good time to remind ourselves that we need to be ‘Red Cross Ready’ in case of an emergency. This is a good time to not only check the existing measures we have in place but to ensure that the old ones are still in good working order. The American Red Cross recommends that all householders do the following:

· Test all smoke alarms, both at home and work. Don’t forget to test carbon monoxide alarms as well. Replace the batteries if necessary.

· Update the emergency contact information in your family’s communication plan. Choose an out-of-area emergency contact that each family member can contact if he/she becomes separated in a disaster situation.

· If you don’t have an Emergency Preparedness Kit, get one now. If you do have a kit, make sure that it contains the following contents: at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable food and water (one gallon per person per day), a flashlight, a battery powered or hand-crank radio, a multi-purpose tool, a first aid kit, copies of important documents, and special items such as medications, diapers, and infant formula.

· Even if you have only checked your emergency kit within the last few months, it is still worthwhile re-checking it and replacing old staples, such as food and water, with new ones. Members of your family may also have changed their medications, or have had a change in dietary requirements since you last prepared your emergency kit.

The warmer weather means that some other changes may need to be made to your Emergency Preparedness Kit. You will need to swap blankets for lighter sheets, and warm clothing (jumpers, jeans) for cooler clothing (shorts, shirts). Sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent will also be useful. You could even include a small battery-powered fan.

By ensuring that you are adequately prepared, your family will have a far greater chance of surviving in an emergency situation.

The American Red Cross sells Emergency Preparedness Kits and other similar items online. Simply follow the links to the Red Cross Store.

None of us need to be reminded of the integral part volunteers from charities such as The American Red Cross play in times of emergency. As a Non Government Organization, The American Red Cross relies heavily on donations from members of the public. As part of your Spring clean, you may have decided to buy a new car, or finally decided to get rid of the old one that was sitting in the garage all winter taking up space while a family member was trying in vain to restore it to some former glory. The American Red Cross gratefully accepts all types of vehicles as donations, even vehicles that are not running.

Each year, paid and volunteer members of The American Red Cross provide an invaluable service to the members of our armed forces and their families. Some ways in which they do this include:

· Maintaining an around the clock, around the world emergency communication network, ensuring that family members can get in contact with each other during times of personal emergency. This service transmits and receives more than 1000 messages a year – at no cost to the service personnel or their families.

· Providing military personnel and their families access to interest-free grants and loans when urgent crises occur.

· Aiding veterans by providing access to financial assistance from either military or civilian sources.

· Offering counselling to service personnel, or their families.

These important services would not be possible without the continuing support of members of the public. If you would like to find out more, or become a volunteer yourself, get in touch with your local American Red Cross Chapter. There are Chapters all over the country and chances are that there is one very close to you. It goes without saying that any help is greatly appreciated so why not get involved today.

Donations also ensure that services such as the one detailed above can continue right throughout the year. Many donations are made in the form of money, as this is probably the most obvious method, but there are many other ways in which your actions can make a lasting difference. All Chapters of The American Red Cross hold fundraising events throughout the year, such as the Twin Cities Heroes Breakfast mentioned in a previous news article. Another less well-known way of making a donation to The American Red Cross is by donating a used car or other vehicle. All vehicle donations valued at over $500 are tax-deductible. Every dollar makes a difference.