The American Red Cross is preparing to help tens of thousands of people in the path of Hurricane Dorian as the extremely dangerous storm tracks towards the southeast coast of the U.S. While the exact path of Dorian is still uncertain, millions of people live in areas that could be impacted by wind, rain, flooding and a high storm surge, even if the storm doesn’t make direct landfall on the coast.
The Red Cross is coordinating with community partners and emergency responders to prepare evacuation centers for people who may seek shelter over the coming days. As many as 60,000 people in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina may need emergency shelter. We are mobilizing more than 1,600 trained volunteers from all over the country, 110 emergency response vehicles and more than 99 tractor-trailer loads full of relief supplies, including cots and blankets.
While the Red Cross does not typically collect and distribute blood in Florida, we have sent approximately 350 blood products to local blood centers there to ensure patients in need continue to have access to lifesaving blood. The Red Cross has also pre-positioned additional blood products and stocked many of our hospitals to capacity in areas of the Southeast likely to be impacted by the storm early next week.
BAHAMAS RED CROSS GETS READY
Dorian is the strongest hurricane on record to head to the islands, bringing potentially catastrophic wind and storm surge. In preparation for the storm, 200 Bahamas Red Cross volunteers are on alert. The Bahamas Red Cross has pre-positioned relief supplies on the islands—such as tarps, hygiene items, jerrycans, and hand-crank radios and cellphone chargers. Bahamas Red Cross volunteers are spreading preparedness messages to help people stay safe as the Category 5 storm approaches.
IF YOU ARE ORDERED TO EVACUATE
The Red Cross urges people in the potential path of Hurricane Dorian to get prepared now. Follow your local news for the latest updates and prepare to evacuate quickly if local officials tell you to do so.
- Check your emergency kit and replace any missing items.
- Fill your car’s gas tank and plan your evacuation route. Where will you go and how will you get there? Will you go to a hotel, a friend or relative’s home, or an emergency shelter?
- Don’t forget your pets. If you must evacuate, make arrangements for your animals. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.
- Prepare your home. Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood. Store outside items, such as lawn furniture and trash cans, to prevent them from being moved by high winds.
HOW TO FIND A SHELTER
Evacuation shelters are likely to open this weekend. Anyone who needs a safe place to go can find information for open Red Cross shelters in our free Red Cross Emergency App. Download the app by searching “American Red Cross” in your app store or by going to redcross.org/apps.
Hurricane evacuation shelters are typically meant to shelter people for less than 24 hours as a hurricane moves through. Often, space is extremely limited, and cots and blankets may not be available for each person. If there is enough lead time or it becomes evident that shelters will stay open after landfall, the Red Cross will move supplies from other areas to ensure people are as comfortable as possible for longer-term shelter stays.
People who plan to stay in a Red Cross shelter to bring prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, other comfort items and important documents. Don’t forget to bring any special items for children, such as diapers, formula and toys, or for family members who have unique needs.
Red Cross shelters are open to everyone in need, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or citizenship status. All disaster assistance is free. We don’t require people to show any kind of identification to enter a shelter — just their name and pre-disaster address.
More information on hurricane safety and preparedness is available here.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can make a difference in the lives of people impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word DORIAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance. Ensure your donation helps people affected by Hurricane Dorian by choosing that option on redcross.org/donate or 1-800-RED CROSS.
PLEASE GIVE BLOOD
With the holiday weekend and approaching hurricane expected to disrupt blood donations, we urge eligible individuals in parts of the country unaffected by the storm to roll up a sleeve to give today. The Red Cross currently has an emergency need for blood donations following a summer shortage.
While no Red Cross blood drives have been cancelled due to the hurricane at this time, we anticipate low blood donor turnout in and around affected areas due to poor weather conditions in the days ahead.
Schedule an appointment today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Getting life-saving information about impending hurricanes is easier than ever. Just ask ‘Alexa’. You can activate the Hurricane Alert Skill for popular Amazon Alexa-enabled devices including the Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show and Echo Spot. You will then be able to get hurricane watch and warning notices for locations where you or your loved ones live and access Red Cross expertise on how to prepare for the approaching hurricane and keep your family as safe as possible. Learn more here. Amazon, Echo, and Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
