Get informed during PA Severe Weather Awareness Week

By Alana Mauger

The American Red Cross joins the National Weather Service (NWS) in observing Severe Weather Awareness Week in Pennsylvania April 15-19, 2024. The educational campaign aims to inform the public about how to prepare for and respond to severe weather events like thunderstorms, flash flooding and tornadoes.

National Weather Service video – Thunderstorm Types

Severe Thunderstorms

A thunderstorm is considered severe if it produces wind gusts of at least 58 miles an hour or hail stones that are about the size of a quarter. These storms are usually accompanied by heavy rain, lightening and possible tornadoes.

NWS issues watches and warnings to alert the public about severe weather risks.

• A severe thunderstorm watch is issued when conditions in the atmosphere are favorable for thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail to develop in a geographic region. If a watch is issued for your area, consider rescheduling outdoor activities and check for updates throughout the day.

• A severe thunderstorm warning means a severe thunderstorm is happening or is about to happen at your location soon. Warnings typically last less than an hour and may list specific towns that are in the storm’s path. If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for your area, seek shelter inside immediately and go to an interior room on the lowest level. If you’re driving, pull over to the side of the road until the storm passes.

Outlooks, Watches and Warnings

Watches and warnings can be issued for any severe weather event and apply to the flash flooding and tornado sections below.

In addition to watches and warnings, NWS issues a convective outlook 1-8 days ahead of severe weather to predict the risk for broad regions. Categories of risk include general thunderstorms, marginal, slight, enhanced, moderate and high. The higher the risk, the greater potential for intense and widespread severe storms.

NOOA graphic – A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is happening or will be happening. Some roads will be flooded. Move to higher ground. Never drive through flooded roads. A Flood Watch is issued when flooding is possible. Stay tuned to radio/TV, follow weather.gov and be ready to seek higher ground.

Flash Flooding

Unfortunately, more people are killed by flash floods than by other storm-related weather hazard, with most deaths caused by driving on flooded roads. A flash flood is flooding that happens quickly. During a flash flood, streams, creeks or manmade drainage systems rise rapidly and crest within a few hours as a result of heavy rain. They’re so dangerous because the water rises quickly and can catch people off guard and trap them in dangerous situations.

If you encounter a flooded road, TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN! Don’t drive or walk through flooded areas. It takes only 6 inches of water to knock you off your feet, and 16 inches of water to move a vehicle. Get to higher ground outside of the area prone to flooding and stay informed by monitoring weather alerts. Pay attention to flood warnings and watches.

National Weather Service video – Get Weather Ready During a Tornado

Tornadoes

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground. Wind speeds inside a tornado can range from just under 100 to 300 MPH and can travel as fast as 70 MPH. While Pennsylvania is at a lower risk for tornadoes than areas in the mid-west, they do occur here. In fact, the commonwealth averages around 15 tornadoes per year.

If a tornado warning is issued for your community, seek shelter in a basement or interior room on the lowest floor. Closets, bathrooms, and other interior rooms without windows offer the best protection. Avoid windows and get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress. If you’re at a school, hospital or shopping center, follow directions to a pre-designated shelter area.

If you’re in a vehicle, buckle your seat belt, and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park. Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.

Red Cross graphic – Download the Red Cross Emergency App! Monitor over 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Stay Informed

The Red Cross provides a free Emergency App for real-time alerts and proactive planning. This app has been delivering timely and reliable storm emergency information to affected communities since 2015 and was updated last year with new features that provide modern accessibility, customization, and proactive planning guidance. Download it from any app store or visit our website.

Climate Crisis

The climate crisis has led the Red Cross to respond to nearly twice as many large disasters compared to a decade ago. In 2023 alone, the U.S. experienced an all-time high of 28 billion-dollar plus disasters that ravaged communities and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee from severe storms, floods and wildfires.

With the growing frequency and intensity of disasters driven by the climate crisis, the Red Cross is racing to adapt its services and grow its disaster response capacity across the country. Visit our Climate Crisis webpage to learn more.

#BeReady: It’s ‘Severe Weather Awareness Week’ in PA

By Samantha Munro

National Weather Service graphic: Understanding Severe Weather Hazards –TORNADO – tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air that can destroy buildings and cause significant injury or death. ACTION: Take shelter immediately in a sturdy structure. LARGE HAIL – hail can damage vehicles, crops, buildings, and cause injuries. ACTION: Move indoors away from windows. STRONG WIND – strong wind can knock over trees and damage buildings. ACTION: Move indoors away from windows. HEAVY RAIN – Heavy rain can cause flash flooding. ACTION: Avoid rising creeks and water-covered roads. LIGHTNING – Lightning strikes can cause significant injury or death. ACTION: Move indoors if you hear thunder

If there is one thing that can never be controlled, it would be the weather in all its magnificence! We humans do our best in following the patterns and signs warning of severe weather which have saved many lives. Sometimes the magnitude of these storms outweigh the predictions causing massive damage and the loss of lives.

It is important to be reminded yearly, on the different weather conditions and its severity so you, your loved ones and those in your community can know how to prepare once a warning is issued!

Did you know:

• Lightning is hotter than the surface of the Sun and can reach temperatures around 50,000ºF.
• Severe thunderstorms can produce hail larger than softballs or winds over 100 mph!
• Tornadoes are capable of hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles and can occur at any time of day or night and at any time of the year.
• Approximately seventy-five percent of all Presidential disaster declarations are associated with flooding.

The American Red Cross goes wherever they are needed, from small house fires to multi-state natural disasters, so people can have clean water, safe shelter and hot meals when they need them most.

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. In late July of 2022, heavy rains caused extreme flooding across eastern Kentucky, causing immense damage to homes and critical infrastructure in multiple communities.

In the weeks to follow, the American Red Cross was there to support those in Kentucky who were impacted by the devastating flood waters, working closely with local officials and partners to ensure needs were being met and that households had what they needed to start their recovery journey. Disasters will always be a hard thing to manage, but with more people educated on how to prepare when faced with an oncoming disaster, more lives can be saved!

It takes us all working together, the community, law enforcement and national disaster relief agencies to lessen the impact on an already devastating situation! Be part of the relief by joining the Red Cross today at redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Phoenixville VFW recognized for hosting blood drives

By Alana Mauger

Red Cross Business Development Manager Michael Gionta presents a plaque to VFW Pots 1564 Commander Don Mahoney on July 22, 2022 in Phoenixville. Photo by Alana Mauger/American Red Cross

As a community, Phoenixville is home to several businesses, organizations and churches that host frequent blood drives with the American Red Cross. About four years ago, Mike Gionta, whose job is to identify and recruit new blood drive partners in Southeastern Pennsylvania, brought Ettinger-Powers-Campbell VFW Post No. 1564 into the fold.  

Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Red Cross account managers scrambled to find organizations willing to open their doors, the members of Post 1564 stepped up, not only keeping their doors open for blood drives, but adding more to the calendar. In fact, in 2021, the post held 16 blood drives, collecting 450 units of blood and helping up to 1,350 patients.

To Gionta, those numbers were impressive. Together, he and Post 1564 Commander Don Mahoney connected with the VFW Pennsylvania headquarters in Harrisburg and learned that the Phoenixville VFW did, indeed, collect the most units of all VFW blood drives in the Commonwealth.  

“It’s a reflection of the giving spirit of Phoenixville and surrounding communities, and also a reflection of the importance of the Red Cross,” shared Mahoney.  

On Friday, the Red Cross joined the Phoenixville Police Department and Mayor Peter Urscheler in honoring members of VFW Post 1564 for their community service.

“All of these partners working together – you are what inspires Phoenixville to be a giving community,” said Urscheler. “Thank you for all that you do!”

Photos from the ceremony are available on Flickr.

The Red Cross has faced a concerning drop in blood and platelet donations this summer. Donors are needed to make an appointment to give in August to help prevent a blood shortage. To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org or download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Red Cross Nor’easter Update

Sunday, March 4

The impacts of Friday’s Nor’easter continue to be felt across Eastern Pennsylvania. More than 100,000 are still without power. In response, the American Red Cross has opened several shelters across the region.

Monroe County: Shelter open at Stroudsburg High School, 1100 W. Main St., Stroudsburg, PA

 Montgomery County: Pottstown YMCA, 724 N. Adams. St. Pottstown, PA

 Pike County:    Shelter open at Dingman Township V.F.D., 680 Log Tavern Rd., Milford, PA

Shelter open at Central Volunteer Fire Department, 574 Westcolang Rd., Hawley, PA

 In addition, the Red Cross is also supporting several partner-run shelters and warming centers, including several in Northampton County. Many other communities have also announced the opening of warming centers and charging stations for those without power. For warming center locations near you, contact your municipality or county emergency management agency.

 Power outages are expected to last for a couple of more days in some places. The Red Cross has these important safety tips to keep you and your family safe in the aftermath of the Nor’easter.

POWER OUTAGE

• Use flash lights in the dark, not candles. Candles can start fires.
• If you are using a generator be sure you understand the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to use generators safely. Never use a generator indoors or in a garage. It must be kept outside in a well-ventilated area.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.
• Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.
• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
• Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.

SPACE HEATERS

• If using a space heater powered by a generator, place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface in the home.
• Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces.
• Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before leaving home.
• Keep children and pets away from space heaters.

 

March Brings Winter Storm to Philadelphia Region

Posted 2/28/14 3pm

Officially, winter does not end until March 19th and the winter season is really hanging on this year.
The Philadelphia region is gearing up for yet another major winter storm, complete with snow and possible ice accumulations.

The American Red Cross
Southeastern Pennsylvania stands ready to respond to whatever comes our way. Supplies and staff are ready in case shelters are needed. Red Cross workers will be in contact with emergency management officials throughout the region leading up to, during and after the storm. The Regional Disaster Coordination Center at Red Cross headquarters in Philadelphia will continue to answer calls 24-hours a day and dispatch volunteers to respond to the everyday disasters the Red Cross handles even when there isn’t a winter storm.

For now, the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania urges residents in the area to prepare now for the weather ahead. Be sure to have enough water and food on hand in case you cannot leave your home for an extended time. Here are some links to more tips on how to prepare and respond during the storm:

Winter Safety Tips including what items to have in your home and vehicle before a storm hits.

Tips on protecting your pets during a winter storm, please don’t forget your pets.

Tips to prevent or thaw frozen pipes in your home.

Take time to download and learn more about the Red Cross mobile Apps. The first aid app, in particular could come in handy during and after a snowstorm. Any of the disaster apps like the hurricane app will provide you with shelter information, if needed.

As always, look for up to date information about responses, shelters and even tips by following our official twitter feed:  @redcrossphilly

Pennsylvania Disaster Training Institute

This month there is an exciting opportunity for Red Cross employees, volunteers and partners in the disaster response field! On October 25-29, 2013, the Pennsylvania Disaster Training Institute will offer training courses which teach life-changing leadership skills. The trainings are FREE and will also emphasize management skills and practices.

On Friday, October 25,2013, I look forward to taking the Assisting Animals on a Residential Disaster scene, the Red Paw Pilot Program. Red Paw is an organization that I have been wanting to get involved with since learning about them a few months ago.

“The Red Paw Emergency Relief Team is an emergency services, nonprofit organization that works in conjunction with the American Red Cross, SEPA Chapter and other public and private disaster relief, social service, and animal welfare organizations to provide emergency transport, shelter, and veterinary care to animals involved in residential fires and other disasters”.- Red Paw

The Red Paw Pilot Program is a three-part workshop from 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Part One of the workshop will emphasize pet preparedness as a part of the Preparedness component of the Red Cross Disaster Cycle. Part Two is where participants will learn the steps to take on a disaster scene response, including the assessment of animals and how to provide assistance during and after the response. Part two will also will feature a hands-on presentation with live animals! Part Three will focus on the development of the Red Paw Emergency Relief Team. Additionally, participants will learn how to start an organization that provides assistance to pets during a disaster, and includes potential obstacles and information on how to move forward if your local Red Cross chapter is not in a position to help support a fully formed organization.

There are many more amazing courses to take part in. Hurry and sign up before all courses are full!

The Disaster Training Institute will take place at American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter and the Red Cross House

To Check out the Disaster Institute Training Courses please click here

To Register for Courses at the Disaster Institute please click here