FREEPORT - The Northwest Illinois Chapter of The American Red Cross has sent four volunteers, Fritz Fuchs, Galena, Patrick Bullock, Hanover, Bernie Brinkmeier, Freeport, and David Anderson, Beloit, to help with the needs of communities in and around the Wichita, Kansas area caused by widespread power outages and a frozen landscape. The beautiful, but deadly, ice storm covering much of the middle of the country has shown that even those most prepared need help at times like these.
Two more local Red Cross volunteers, Shirley Toepfer and Elaine Schlichting, both of Stockton, are headed to Joseph, Mo. for shelter operation.
The widespread power outage and disruption to transportation has emergency responders working tirelessly. The Red Cross has opened dozens of shelters to help those in dire need of warmth and food, while government agencies, utility companies and emergency responders are working to manage power and transportation services.
Even those accustomed to dealing with severe weather are struggling. Residents expect to be home-bound at times during the winter, and many have disaster-supply kits at home, in their cars and in the office that include food, water, medicine, battery-powered radios and flashlights. The scale of this ice storm is what makes it so difficult - the storm that began over the weekend continues to hover. People and organizations will need to stretch their resources.
Red Cross counts on its volunteers, partnerships with community-based organizations and national organizations like the Southern Baptist Convention and The Salvation Army, to meet constant food and shelter and warming center needs in a situation like this. Funding for cots, blankets, hot meals and transportation comes from the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which is then replenished by gifts from local and national donors who demonstrate their compassion through the Red Cross.
Make a winter storm plan
• Get a disaster supplies kit for your home and vehicle. Detailed information on what to include in your kit can be found at www.redcross.org.
• Be prepared to shelter at home in case of severe weather. Have additional food and water stored to last seven to14 days
• Have extra blankets on hand
• Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, a hat and water-resistant boots
• Have your vehicle winterized before the weather gets severe
• Decide how you would communicate with your family members should you be separated and unable to travel when a winter storm hits.
• Be Informed: Learn how to receive information from local officials should hazardous winter weather affect your neighborhood
• Know the difference between a winter storm WATCH (a winter storm is possible in your area) and a winter storm WARNING (a winter storm is headed for your area)
• Consider getting first aid and CPR training in case you need to respond in an emergency before professionals arrive on the scene.
If the Power Goes Out
• Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only
• Use items in the refrigerator first, then freezer, then non-perishable foods
• Use generators correctly - If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors. Never operate it inside, including the basement, garage, carport or near any open windows. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring.
Hazardous Winter Travel
The American Red Cross strongly urges everyone to monitor weather reports and follow the directions of local authorities. If travel is absolutely necessary during potentially dangerous winter weather, inform someone of your travel route, destination and expected arrival time. Store a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle and remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice building up in the gas tank and fuel lines.
Two more local Red Cross volunteers, Shirley Toepfer and Elaine Schlichting, both of Stockton, are headed to Joseph, Mo. for shelter operation.
The widespread power outage and disruption to transportation has emergency responders working tirelessly. The Red Cross has opened dozens of shelters to help those in dire need of warmth and food, while government agencies, utility companies and emergency responders are working to manage power and transportation services.
Even those accustomed to dealing with severe weather are struggling. Residents expect to be home-bound at times during the winter, and many have disaster-supply kits at home, in their cars and in the office that include food, water, medicine, battery-powered radios and flashlights. The scale of this ice storm is what makes it so difficult - the storm that began over the weekend continues to hover. People and organizations will need to stretch their resources.
Red Cross counts on its volunteers, partnerships with community-based organizations and national organizations like the Southern Baptist Convention and The Salvation Army, to meet constant food and shelter and warming center needs in a situation like this. Funding for cots, blankets, hot meals and transportation comes from the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which is then replenished by gifts from local and national donors who demonstrate their compassion through the Red Cross.
Make a winter storm plan
• Get a disaster supplies kit for your home and vehicle. Detailed information on what to include in your kit can be found at www.redcross.org.
• Be prepared to shelter at home in case of severe weather. Have additional food and water stored to last seven to14 days
• Have extra blankets on hand
• Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, a hat and water-resistant boots
• Have your vehicle winterized before the weather gets severe
• Decide how you would communicate with your family members should you be separated and unable to travel when a winter storm hits.
• Be Informed: Learn how to receive information from local officials should hazardous winter weather affect your neighborhood
• Know the difference between a winter storm WATCH (a winter storm is possible in your area) and a winter storm WARNING (a winter storm is headed for your area)
• Consider getting first aid and CPR training in case you need to respond in an emergency before professionals arrive on the scene.
If the Power Goes Out
• Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only
• Use items in the refrigerator first, then freezer, then non-perishable foods
• Use generators correctly - If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors. Never operate it inside, including the basement, garage, carport or near any open windows. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring.
Hazardous Winter Travel
The American Red Cross strongly urges everyone to monitor weather reports and follow the directions of local authorities. If travel is absolutely necessary during potentially dangerous winter weather, inform someone of your travel route, destination and expected arrival time. Store a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle and remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice building up in the gas tank and fuel lines.
