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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, FEBRUARY 12- Many Floridians are familiar with the warnings and procedures for hurricanes, yet severe weather doesn’t always play by a steady calendar. The Coast-to-Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross is proud to join with the state of Florida and other organizations to promote Florida Hazardous Weather Awareness Week.
Within the past six weeks, tornados have twice ripped across central Florida. The most recent storms on February 2nd killed 20 people in Lake County. (You can track the latest on the Red Cross response at http://redcrossflorida.wordpress.com) Tornados do not come with the days of warning many in Florida come to expect during hurricane season. This is why the Red Cross is urging families to familiarize themselves with these and other potential weather hazards.
“The best news about being prepared is that most of the steps and planning remains the same across the board,” said Alan Ball, Southeast Disaster Response Director for the Red Cross. “You don’t have to have thirteen different plans for thirteen different disasters. Once you’ve started preparing for one, you’re well on the way to being ready for most anything.” The Red Cross maintains an updated list of recommended plans and preparations for the home and workplace at www.redcross.org.
Additionally, floridadisaster.org has valuable information for families, designed so a child can understand (http://www.floridadisaster.org/kids/index2.htm). It includes advice and suggestions for the following weather-related events:
· Lightning
· Hurricanes
· Floods
· Tornadoes
· Thunderstorms
· Wildfires
Florida’s Hazardous Weather Week includes a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, February 14th. Those participating in the full drill will walk through every step of a tornado event, from an early morning Tornado Watch to an actual warning. (In the event of actual severe weather that day, the drill will be moved to Friday the 16th.)
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of the Central Florida Tornado and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800- RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
