The Darke County Chapter has been on the scene in Darke County to help those affected by the winter storm. Emergency shelters were placed on alert, over 25 local disaster volunteers were placed on alert starting Sunday evening with additional volunteers ready to fill in if needed to help residents impacted by the storms by offering a safe place to stay, a hot meal, minor first aid, and a shoulder to lean on.
“Chapter volunteers and staff have been coordinating with emergency officials and local community partners to make sure residents impacted by the storms will be safe, warm, nourished and have available supplies” said Lynne Gump, Executive Director of the Darke County Chapter. “The Red Cross depends on local support and a cooperative community effort to open shelters for extended power outages in the winter, in addition to providing mobile feeding and mental health support to those affected by the storms.” We have been in constant contact with EMA, receiving current reports and requests, discussing issues affecting our community. The Darke County Sheriff Department has done an excellent job maintaining communication and weather alerts. These are just a few of the resources many people don’t realize who are working hard behind the scenes to insure their safety and survivability.
Many Darke County families have done an excellent job preparing for this storm, creating a disaster kit for their home, business and car, packing a bag “just in case” their family needs to spend some nights at a friend’s or in a shelter. Some families have secured secondary sources of power or heat, enabling them to stay at home and ride out the storm. “Just before a storm, we always see a increase of people preparing, checking supplies, insuring their families ability to stay safe. We encourage you to keep this attitude, to stay prepared”, stated Gump. Keep the bag packed. Keep the disaster kit in the car. Talk about what could have gone better and work now on improving.
The Darke County Red Cross encourages residents to follow these tips to stay safer during a winter storm: Listen to a battery powered radio to local media for announcements of shelter openings; Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog; Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task; Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible; Help people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children; Check on your animals and make sure that their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles. If possible, bring them indoors; Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area.
If you feel you need help improving your disaster plan, please contact the Red Cross for help. Great resources are available in print or online at www.redcross.org. Up to the date information and resources are also available at the chapter’s website at www.darkecounty.redcross.org. For those who use social media to keep up-to-date, check out the Darke County Chapter of the American Red Cross facebook page or twitter account at DarkeCyRedCross for text messages. As always your Red Cross needs your support of time and resources. Ready to go to the next step and learn how to assist in a shelter by attending the next disaster training class on February 9th and 10th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the chapter office, taught by DAT Captains, Karon Wolfe, Victor French and John Wright.
Good Advice!
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