Red Cross Services Available: Johnson & Erath Counties

This message from Anita Foster, American Red Cross North Texas Region:

Following damaging storms that tore across the state of Texas on April 26, the American Red Cross has been working around the clock to help families with their recovery. In total, some 600 homes were hit by the storms. Of those, 60 sustained major damage or were destroyed. Since the storms ended, the Red Cross has provided bottled water, meals and snacks, along with clean-up supplies, mainly tarps to cover damaged rooftops, to affected neighborhoods. Today, the Red Cross is opening two additional locations for families to visit if they need assistance:

Dublin – Resource Center

213 E. Blackjack St.

Dublin, TX 76446

Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Rio Vista – Resource Center

102 E. Depot St.

Rio Vista, TX 76093

Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

These centers will remain open until May 2. Families who can’t easily make it to the Rio Vista or Dublin locations are urged to call the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS or (800) 733 2766.

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Food and Fundraising on Wheels: Thanking DFW Food Trucks

written by Lilly Watson

Food trucks have been popping up across the U.S. for the past few years, and Dallas and Fort Worth have been lucky enough to be a major part of that movement. I love going over to the Dallas Arts District for food truck lunch on Friday for some street tacos, a sweet snack and an extra side of Vitman D as I soak up the sun at my picnic table.

My first day at the Red Cross I toured our facilities and was introduced to our Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs for short). These trucks go out to major home fires or communities affected by disaster distributing beverages, snacks and even hot meals to victims and relief workers. I remember the eyebrows raising on my tour guide as I delightfully exclaimed, "Wow! Who knew the Red Cross had our very own line of food trucks?!"

Our ERVs have been hitting the streets of Arlington, Forney and Lancaster this week. We're providing comfort and emotional support to victims who visit the trucks, as well as vital water and food. Over the past two days the Red Cross has delivered more than 1,300 meals and 3,300 drinks and snacks out of our trucks. Talk about slinging some hash!

A tornado victim in Arlington receives food and a needed laugh from the Red Cross Emergency Relief Vehicle on Thursday.

Since we fancy ourselves a charity extension of the food truck community, we are especially moved and grateful for the following food trucks who have pledged their support to us this weekend. Look for them out on the street and know as you enjoy your food truck food, a tornado victim in our area is getting a good meal off a truck tonight as well!

• Buying a Nammi Food Truck t-shirt makes a $10 donation to the Red Cross. They are also donating their tips to the Red Cross!
• Gandolfo's Ny Deli is donating a percentage of proceeds to the Red Cross through Tuesday.
• The Butcher's Son is also donating a percentage of proceeds through Tuesday.
• Enticed Shaved Ice is donating 100% of proceeds through Saturday.
• Rock Star Bakeshop is donating their tips to the Red Cross this weekend - look for the tip jar marked with the Red Cross!

To find out where any of these great trucks will be this weekend, click each link for their Twitter pages.

If you're wondering if Red Cross workers are making it over to support the trucks supporting us, we have the photo evidence and happy stomachs to prove it!

Dallas-area Red Cross communications and fund development workers visit Rock Star bakeshop on Thursday.

What is your favorite food truck in Dallas? Are you headed out this weekend to visit the trucks supporting our disaster relief efforts?

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High Waters: High Alert

Rain, a much welcomed sight in Texas but when it pounds the dry ground for hours, much like it has over the last few hours, concerns for public safety quickly take the spotlight. 

 Flood Safety Checklist [PDF]

What should I do?

• Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).
• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
• When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
• Because standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, it’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S. For more information on flood insurance, please visit the National Flood Insurance Program Web site at www.FloodSmart.gov.

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Area Lifeguards Prepare for the Ultimate Challenge

When you take your children to a public pool or water park this summer, you want to know with certainty that the lifeguard on duty knows what to do in the event of an emergency. On Wednesday and Thursday, July 13-14, 2011, 43 lifeguard teams from North Texas, Houston, Oklahoma and Arkansas will gather together for the annual “North Texas Guard Games”, a competition where lifeguards are tested on their ability to recognize and treat a spinal injury, perform a water rescue and CPR, respond to active and passive drowning victims and more.

Event Details:

• Wednesday, July 13, 2011
• Sun Valley Aquatic Center, 801 S. Valley Pkwy., Lewisville (behind Lewisville High School)
• Opening Ceremonies: 11:30a.m.
• Competition: Noon-2:00p.m. (continued on Thursday, July 14, 8:00a.m.-Noon)

Already, nearly 80 children have died from drowning in the state of Texas this year. Most of those were in unsupervised waters.

A child can drown in as little as one inch of water so it’s critical to keep constant eye contact while children are in the water. It is best to take kids to an establishment with a certified lifeguard. All families with a backyard pool should have at least one adult trained in CPR and First Aid.

If you’re interested in becoming a trained lifeguard, contact the American Red Cross at http://www.redcrossdallas.org/.

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Prepare for Another Round of Severe Weather Across North Texas

Photo courtesy of NWS/NOAA

Over the last week, it seems every time you turn around there is yet another severe weather alert being issued. Today is no different as Dallas County has been placed under a Tornado Watch until 6:00 p.m. along with other areas in the Metroplex. While you should already have a plan in place for these severe weather dangers that continue to occur, if you don’t have a tornado plan yet the time to procrastinate is over. Take a few moments today to make sure you are ready to move to your safe place if the time comes. Here are some tips to prepare and some items you may need if severe weather threatens your neighborhood.

Know the Difference

Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans, and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives!

Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Tornado warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Go immediately under ground to a basement, storm cellar or an interior room (closet, hallway or bathroom).

Ways You Can Prepare

The following are procedures you should follow in order to prepare your family for tornadoes:

• Pick a safe place in your home where family members could gather during a tornado, windstorm or major hail storm. The safest place to be is underground, or as low to the ground as possible, and away from all windows. Unfortunately, many residents in the Metroplex do not have basements, therefore an interior hallway or room on the lowest floor is the best choice. Putting as many walls between you and the outside will provide additional protection. Also make sure there are no windows or glass doors in your safe place and keep this place uncluttered.
  
  
• Get out of your mobile home and choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. Mobile homes are much more vulnerable to strong winds than site-built structures. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your family's safe place.
  
  
• If you are in a vehicle, get out immediately. Find a sturdy nearby structure and take shelter. If there is no building nearby, go to a low-lying area until the storm passes. Taking cover under bridges is not recommended.
  
  
• If you are in a high-rise building, pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Center hallways are often structurally the most reinforced part of a building.
  
  
• Check with your work and your children's schools and day care centers to learn tornado emergency plans. Every building has different safe places. It is important to know where they are and how to get there in an emergency.
  
• Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit. This kit should be kept near your safe room, whether at home, work or school, and should contain supplies such as bottled water, flashlights with extra batteries, first aid supplies, an AM/FM or NOAA Weather radio and additional important items.
  
  
• Conduct periodic tornado drills so everyone remembers what to do when a tornado is approaching. Practice having everyone in the family go to your designated area in response to a tornado threat. Practicing your plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking time during an actual emergency situation.
  
  
• Discuss tornadoes with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disaster ahead of time helps reduce fear and lets everyone know how to respond during a tornado.
  
  
• Log on to www.redcross.org to download free tips on getting prepared for severe weather.

In the event that severe weather does impact the North Texas area, the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter will be ready to respond. Real-time updates for any responses can be found by following @RedCrossDallas on Twitter.

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Spring Forward With Your Plans for Severe Weather

An American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle brings food and drinks to families and volunteers on a street devastated by a tornado in Mapleton, Iowa.
Photo Credit: Talia Frenkel/American Red Cross

Spring is here! Just a few weeks ago, we set our clocks forward and lost an hour of beloved sleep. Now, it’s time to move forward with our plans to prepare for severe weather, which, if left undone, could leave us without things much more important than a few extra taps of the snooze button. Springtime brings beautiful flowers and warmer temps, but Mother Nature also has tornadoes up her sleeve. The Red Cross is urging all North Texans to assemble disaster supply kits and make plans now.

Know the Difference

Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Severe Thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property.
In times of inclement weather, be sure to listen for storm watches and warnings and act accordingly. Knowing the difference between watches and warnings and following can help save lives.

Ways You Can Prepare

The following are procedures you should follow in order to prepare your family for tornadoes:

• Pick a safe place in your home where family members could gather during a tornado, windstorm or major hail storm. The safest place to be is underground, or as low to the ground as possible, and away from all windows. Unfortunately, many residents in the Metroplex do not have basements, therefore an interior hallway or room on the lowest floor is the best choice. Putting as many walls between you and the outside will provide additional protection. Also make sure there are no windows or glass doors in your safe place and keep this place uncluttered.
  
  
• Get out of your mobile home and choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. Mobile homes are much more vulnerable to strong winds than site-built structures. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your family's safe place.
  
  
• If you are in a vehicle, get out immediately. Find a sturdy nearby structure and take shelter. If there is no building nearby, go to a low-lying area until the storm passes. Taking cover under bridges is not recommended.
  
  
• If you are in a high-rise building, pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Center hallways are often structurally the most reinforced part of a building.
  
  
• Check with your work and your children's schools and day care centers to learn tornado emergency plans. Every building has different safe places. It is important to know where they are and how to get there in an emergency.
  
  
• Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit. This kit should be kept near your safe room, whether at home, work or school, and should contain supplies such as bottled water, flashlights with extra batteries, first aid supplies, an AM/FM or NOAA Weather radio and additional important items.
  
  
• Conduct periodic tornado drills so everyone remembers what to do when a tornado is approaching. Practice having everyone in the family go to your designated area in response to a tornado threat. Practicing your plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking time during an actual emergency situation.
  
  
• Discuss tornadoes with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disaster ahead of time helps reduce fear and lets everyone know how to respond during a tornado.
  
  
• Take an online “Be Red Cross Ready” course. This 15-minute interactive course will ensure that you’ve got everything you need on-hand before the storm hits. To find the course, go to www.redcross.org/beredcrossready.
  
  
• Log on to www.redcross.org to download free tips on getting prepared for severe weather.
  
  

In the event that severe weather does impact the North Texas area, the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter will be ready to respond. Real-time updates for any responses can be found by following @RedCrossDallas on Twitter.

Storm photos from the American Red Cross' Photostream on Flickr

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Make A Slam Dunk With The Dallas Mavericks And The American Red Cross

The Dallas Mavericks have teamed up with six North Texas non-profit organizations to present the first annual "Mavs Charity Challenge" for the 2010-2011 Season. The American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter is excited to be one of the non-profit organizations chosen for this challenge.

For every ticket sold to the January 4th game, the Mavs will donate a portion of the ticket price back to the Dallas Area Chapter. In addition, the non-profit organization generating the most tickets sales will receive an additional donation from the Mavs.

"We are excited to offer the first-ever Mavs Charity Challenge to these six non-profits," said Mavs owner Mark Cuban in a press release. "It's a great way to recognize these organizations and let fans know about the wonderful work they do in the North Texas community and to help support their causes."

Join fellow Red Crossers on January 4th at 7:30 p.m. as the Dallas Mavericks take on the Portland Trailblazers! Let's make some noise for the Mavs and raise support for the Dallas Area Chapter. Grab your discounted tickets today!

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Disaster Strikes, DATs Are There

People may not know what to do when a disaster strikes, but they do know who to call. No matter how big or small the disaster, the American Red Cross shows up when needed.

Each year, the Dallas Area Chapter responds to more than 600 disasters across 12 North Texas counties. Our ability to respond is due in no small part to the role of our dedicated volunteers who are there to help others around the clock. Our volunteers respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, seldom with little thanks and definitely no pay.

Tuesday night, we took time from the busy holiday fire season to say thank you to our Disaster Action Teams (DATs). These volunteers are on call and ready to respond to local disasters by providing immediate relief and support to individuals and families in their time of need. You can find them lending a hand whether it is 2 p.m. on a hot summer day or 2 a.m. in the middle of winter. DATs are there. They are the heart and soul of the American Red Cross and make a difference in our community on a daily basis.

This short video produced by Anita Foster, chief communications officer for the Dallas Area Chapter, highlights the Disaster Action Teams in action.

2010 Disaster Action Teams In Action



Join the Disaster Action Team in the Dallas area! Outside of the Dallas area, find your nearest American Red Cross chapter.

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UPDATE: Tropical Storm Hermine Brings Severe Weather to North Texas

Yesterday turned into quite the eventful day. Our area experienced pockets of widespread flooding, strong wind and tornado strikes.

Here is an update on the Red Cross response:

The following shelters remain open:

Rush Creek Christian Church
2401 SW Green Oaks Blvd
Arlington
Last night, 7 people spent the night.

Kidd Springs Recreation Center
711 W Canty St.
Dallas
At this time, there are no residents.

This morning teams of Red Cross Damage Assessment workers will head into affected neighborhoods to survey for residential damage in Seagoville, Irving, Grand Prairie, Dallas and Arlington.

How can you help?

If you are aware of any damage in your area, please call 214-678-4800 and let us know.

Make a financial gift to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 9-0-9-9-9 to make a $10 donation or visit RedCross.org.

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