Press Release: Red Cross Responding in Storm Affected Miss. Counties

Red Cross Responding in Storm Affected Miss. Counties

HATTIESBURG, MS, WEDNESDAY, February 13, 2013—The American Red Cross continues response today in communities throughout Central and South Mississippi.

Disaster Action Teams (DAT) are on the ground in the affected counties. Red Cross is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and local emergency managers to continue damage assessment.

“Red Cross is focused on people’s emergency needs and has moved volunteers, equipment and supplies into affected communities,” said Charles Blake, Director of Relief Operations, American Red Cross. “We are continuing to monitor the weather patterns and are on alert to provide additional assistance to the citizens of South Mississippi as needed. We’re also expanding our partnership with community and faith-based organizations to meet the needs in our communities.”

Red Cross is opening four Emergency Aid Stations today to provide health services and emotional support; the stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Locations:

- Property adjacent to destroyed Red Cross office, 606 Hutchinson Ave. in Hattiesburg;

- Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Office, 753 Weatherly Rd. in Purvis;

- Dollar General Store, 121 South Main Street in Petal;

- Mt. Carmel Church, 1101 North Main Street in Hattiesburg

The Southern Baptist Convention and The Salvation Army are partnering with Red Cross for mobile and shelter feeding, and are on the move serving meals and distributing relief items. Emergency Aid Stations were setup today in Petal and Hattiesburg distributing food, water and emergency supplies, and providing health services and emotional support. Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV) are in affected communities delivering bulk distribution items.

To find a Red Cross shelter, people can download the Red Cross Hurricane app (http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/hurricane-app), visit mississippi-redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). For a list of items to bring with you to the shelter, visit www.mississippi-redcross.org. The following shelters are open.

• Forrest County 361 Shelter on Sullivan Road off Hwy. 49 South in Hattiesburg, Forrest County
• Lamar County Community Center at 99 Central Industrial Road in Purvis, Lamar County
  • Indian Springs Baptist Church, 500 Indian Springs Church Road, Laurel, Jones County

Nearly 100 trained Red Cross disaster workers are providing emotional support, food, water and emergency supplies like cleanup kits and comfort kits to people in need.

Anyone seeking assistance with disaster-related needs, should contact their local Red Cross Office, search “Red Cross Mississippi” on Facebook or follow @RedCrossMiss on Twitter. For a list of Red Cross Offices and contact numbers, visit www.mississippi-redcross.org.

If someone would like to help people affected by emergencies like yesterday’s storms, they can visit www.mississippi-redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross Office.

Those affected can let loved ones know they are safe by registering on the Red Cross Safe and Well website. The site is secure and people can register by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. This site also connects with the Twitter and Facebook accounts of users.

Due to the recent storms and the amount of rainfall, flooding is a possibility is several Mississippi counties. People should continue listening to weather reports for the latest updates on flood warnings and watches. Follow these Red Cross flood safety tips.

• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon water above your ankles or a flooded road, turn around and go another way.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to see flood danger.
• Keep away from loose or downed power lines and report them immediately to the power company.
• Stay out of any building that has water around it. Keep children out of the water.

As people return home to begin the clean-up, Red Cross has several safety steps that should be followed.

• If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
• Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately.
• Stay out of damaged buildings.
• Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes when examining your walls, doors, staircases and windows for damage.
• Use battery-powered flashlights when examining buildings – do NOT use candles.
• If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out of the building quickly and call the gas company or fire department.
• Keep all of your animals under your direct control.
• Download “Picking up the Pieces after a Disaster” PDF as an additional resource: http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m7540319_picking-up-the-pieces-A5076.pdf