HURRICANE HARVEY FAST FACTS

HURRICANE HARVEY FAST FACTS

September 12, 2017

The American Red Cross continues to work around the clock to provide shelter, food, comfort and other emergency support to victims of Hurricane Harvey.

• Overnight, more than 5,000 people sought refuge in 30 Red Cross and partner shelters across Texas. To date, there have been more than 364,000 overnight shelter stays for Hurricane Harvey.
• Along with our partners, we have served almost 1.7 million meals and snacks in Texas. 
• More than 3,200 Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground in Texas, with more than 475 on the way.
• Almost 190 emergency response vehicles have been activated to help deliver meals and relief supplies.
• Mental health and health services professionals have provided more than 57,000 contacts to provide support and care to those affected.
• We’ve distributed more than 383,000 relief items like diapers, bug spray, cleaning supplies, coolers, and comfort kits that contain deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other hygiene items in Texas.
• More than 64 million hurricane and flood alerts have been issued through Red Cross mobile apps for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The apps provide shelter locations and real-time information so people can help protect themselves and their loved-ones.       

HURRICANE IRMA FAST FACTS

HURRICANE IRMA FAST FACTS

September 12, 2017

The American Red Cross has a massive relief effort underway to provide safe shelter to people in the path of Irma’s fury. The Red Cross is part of a large team of agencies and organizations responding to provide help to those in need.

• Overnight, an estimated 108,000 people were provided refuge from Hurricane Irma in as many as 530 government and Red Cross evacuation centers across 6 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This includes:
• In Florida, an estimated 100,300 people in 427 evacuation centers.
• In Georgia, more than 5,500 people in over 40 evacuation centers.
• In Alabama, about 500 people in 20 evacuation centers.
• In South Carolina, about 1,000 people in 23 evacuation centers.
• On the U.S. Virgin Islands, almost 300 people in 5 evacuation centers. 
• In Puerto Rico, 170 people in 7 evacuation centers.
• In Tennessee, 134 people in 5 evacuation centers.
• In North Carolina, 72 people in 5 evacuation centers.
• To date, evacuation centers have provided more than 485,000 overnight stays to people needing a safe place to go.
• More than 2,600 Red Cross workers are responding to Irma now, with 500 more volunteers on the way.
• More than 100 emergency response vehicles have been activated to help.
• More than 64 million hurricane and flood alerts have been issued through Red Cross mobile apps for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The apps provide shelter locations and real-time information so people can help protect themselves and their loved-ones.       

A century of caring

Local Red Cross Unit Turns 100 & says thank you to the South Plains Community

Lubbock, August 8, 2017— The American Red Cross was built on the shoulders of our community members willing to face disaster and care for the needs of others. The Texas South Plains chapter reaches an important milestone this month.

The Red Cross South Plains County chapter will honor its 100th anniversary from 10a.m. – 6p.m. Saturday Aug 26^th 2017 with a Food truck Birthday Bash at Legacy Play Village, Spur 327 & Marsha Sharp Fwy, Lubbock Tx 79407. The bash is FREE to enter, family friendly and will include vendors, food trucks and entertainment.

“The Red Cross is a community organization and we wanted to celebrate our centennial with the community,” said Red Cross volunteer and Centennial Committee Chair Tracy Murcheski.

“For 100 years, our community has responded to home fires, provided emergency communication to our service members and supported programs that promote the health and well-being of the local community,” chapter director Laura Hann said.

The Red Cross invites you and your family to come celebrate.

As they move into the next 100 years they are looking for financial donations to support their daily work in the South plains.  A hundred years may have passed since the South Plains chapter was founded, but its work is far from over. The Red Cross will be accepting donations at the Birthday Bash and at their office during regular business hours.

“We plan to be here for the next 100 years,” Hann said.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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Lubbock County Office of Emergency Management Reminds Citizens that September is National Preparedness Month

The Lubbock County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), in cooperation with Ready Campaign and PrepareAthon, is excited to announce September has again been declared as National Preparedness Month.

This September, National Preparedness Month (NPM) will focus on planning, with an overarching theme “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.”

We can all take action to prepare! We are all able to help first responders in our community by training how to respond during an emergency and what to do when disaster strikes — where we live, work, and visit. The goal of NPM is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, businesses, school, and places of worship.

2017 Weekly Themes

• Week 1:  September 1-9                        Make a Plan for Yourself, Family and Friends
• Week 2:  September 10-16                    Plan to Help Your Neighbor and Community
• Week 3:  September 17-23                    Practice and Build Out Your Plans
• Week 4:  September 24-30                    Get Involved! Be a Part of Something Larger

More Information can be found at https://www.ready.gov/ or the Lubbock County Office of Emergency Management at (806) 775-7300.