American Red Cross of Central Florida

With the beginning of spring comes the threat of severe weather and the most active part of tornado season. Nature’s most violent storms, tornadoes can occur any time throughout the year and have wreaked havoc in every state. The American Red Cross of Central Florida urges residents in the Central Florida area to take steps now to make your family safer when tornadoes threaten. “By preparing together for tornado season, we can make our families safer and our communities stronger,” said Joel W. Hass, Chief Executive Officer of the local chapter. “We can help you and your family create your tornado preparedness plan now, before our community is threatened by severe weather.”

This year’s tornado season, which runs from March through July, began fiercely as more than forty twisters touched down across the United States. Already, the violent storms have caused the deaths of at least ten people and injuries in dozens of others. Southeastern Florida was the latest region affected when four tornadoes were triggered by a line of severe thunderstorms moving across the state. Five volunteers from the American Red Cross of Central Florida traveled to Miami-Dade County to assist with relief efforts where a strong twister touched down in the Liberty City neighborhood, resulting in the death of one resident and injuring at least nine others. “I participated in the disaster relief efforts in Miami-Dade County for two weeks,” said Ricky Ayala, a family services volunteer from our local chapter. “We visited the houses that were damaged by the tornadoes to see what kind of help the families needed. Usually it was food, clothing or beds, which had been damaged by the leaky roofs. I wanted to stay out there; it felt great to help the people affected by the tornadoes and they were so glad to see us.”

With April, May and June being the traditional peak activity months, the American Red Cross of Central Florida is urging our tri-county area’s residents to prepare now. As with any disaster, preparation can mean the difference between life and death. The American Red Cross recommends that families prepare for tornadoes by:

• Creating and practicing a Home Tornado Plan: Pick an uncluttered place where family members could seek shelter: a basement, a center hallway, a bathroom, or a closet on the lowest floor.

• Assembling a Disaster Supplies Kit: Kits should contain a first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries and other emergency items for the whole family. Purchase kits online here now.

• Heeding Storm Warnings: Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information. A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area. When a tornado WARNING is issued, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area. If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety.

• Preparing for High Winds: Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Strengthen garage doors and non-reinforced masonry. Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile.

For more information on tornado preparedness, contact the American Red Cross of Central Florida at (407)894-4141 or call 1-866-GET INFO.


	Together We Prepare: The American Red Cross Urges Central Florida to Ready Now for Tornado Season 2003 With the beginning of spring comes the threat of severe weather and the most active part of tornado season. Nature’s most violent storms, tornadoes can occur any time throughout the year and have wreaked havoc in every state. The American Red Cross of Central Florida urges residents in the Central Florida area to take steps now to make your family safer when tornadoes threaten. “By preparing together for tornado season, we can make our families safer and our communities stronger,” said Joel W. Hass, Chief Executive Officer of the local chapter. “We can help you and your family create your tornado preparedness plan now, before our community is threatened by severe weather.” This year’s tornado season, which runs from March through July, began fiercely as more than forty twisters touched down across the United States. Already, the violent storms have caused the deaths of at least ten people and injuries in dozens of others. Southeastern Florida was the latest region affected when four tornadoes were triggered by a line of severe thunderstorms moving across the state. Five volunteers from the American Red Cross of Central Florida traveled to Miami-Dade County to assist with relief efforts where a strong twister touched down in the Liberty City neighborhood, resulting in the death of one resident and injuring at least nine others. “I participated in the disaster relief efforts in Miami-Dade County for two weeks,” said Ricky Ayala, a family services volunteer from our local chapter. “We visited the houses that were damaged by the tornadoes to see what kind of help the families needed. Usually it was food, clothing or beds, which had been damaged by the leaky roofs. I wanted to stay out there; it felt great to help the people affected by the tornadoes and they were so glad to see us.” With April, May and June being the traditional peak activity months, the American Red Cross of Central Florida is urging our tri-county area’s residents to prepare now. As with any disaster, preparation can mean the difference between life and death. The American Red Cross recommends that families prepare for tornadoes by: • Creating and practicing a Home Tornado Plan: Pick an uncluttered place where family members could seek shelter: a basement, a center hallway, a bathroom, or a closet on the lowest floor. • Assembling a Disaster Supplies Kit: Kits should contain a first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries and other emergency items for the whole family. Purchase kits online here now. • Heeding Storm Warnings: Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information. A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area. When a tornado WARNING is issued, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area. If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety. • Preparing for High Winds: Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Strengthen garage doors and non-reinforced masonry. Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile. For more information on tornado preparedness, contact the American Red Cross of Central Florida at (407)894-4141 or call 1-866-GET INFO.