News

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Be Red Cross Ready

Transcribed from a Zoom presentation at the January 2026 GCB AAVL quarterly presentation. Speakers: Anne McQuade; Aditi; Gauri; and Stephanie.

Disasters Happen:

Often, with little or no warning, disasters can happen anywhere or at any time. Every year, communities across the United States face disasters, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, winter storms, wildfires, and home fires, which are all frequent hazards. So, in our region, experience tells us that we face a number of disasters which can have a huge impact on individuals and the community. So, although disasters can happen anytime and anywhere, some are more prevalent in Georgia, and depending on where you live, the hazards can change.

In Georgia, we are subject to hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, ice storms, and our number one hazard, home fires. By far, the Red Cross responds to more home fires than any other type of disaster, and unfortunately, it's up to us to be ready. If one of those disasters happens, it's quite likely that resources are not going to be immediately there to support everyone. First responders, disaster organizations, government agencies, hospital emergency rooms, all do their best.

But on average, these groups are staffed to be prepared for normal day-to-day operations, and therefore, in an emergency, resources may be stretched beyond their limit. So, the truth is, we must depend on ourselves first.

Why? 

Because roads could be impassable, utilities may not be available, hospitals and first responders could be overwhelmed. It's even possible that banks, grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, schools, and workplaces may be closed for days. So, you may also need to help others, such as members of your household, neighbors, or those with functional and access needs.

However, the good news is, each of us can prepare. Will your preparation be perfect? 

No. Will preparation make things quick and easy and painless? Not always, but planning and preparation will help you be safe and quickly recover. What does it mean to be prepared?

When we are prepared, we can take protective actions, react in ways which will help us adapt to tough challenges and swiftly recover from disaster difficulties.

Emergency Preventative Steps:

To be Red Cross ready, three things are important.

Prepare or Purchase a Kit:

Kits should contain supplies needed at home and those you can easily carry if you must evacuate.

Plan:

Identify the steps needed to respond to each specific disaster and decide who in your household will do what, where everyone will go, and how everyone will communicate with each other.

Be Informed:

It is vital you are informed. Learn about how you will get information if a disaster occurs and what resources are easily available in your community. This will allow you to quickly respond and help yourself, your household, and your community. 

Let's look at these in more detail.

First, get a kit. If a disaster strikes in your community, you might not have access to food, water, electricity, a medical facility, or a store. So, preparing a disaster kit for your household is an important step to keep everyone safe and healthy during a disaster. Consider assembling two kits of supplies. 

The first kit would be for your home, which should be able to sustain you for at least three days, and your household can work together to gather supplies to last for two weeks. The other kit, often called ‘go bag,’ should be lightweight and a smaller version that you can take with you if you must quickly leave your home. The bag should contain everything that needs to be on your own for three days based on the needs of those within your household. This could be one kit for the entire household or separate kits for each family member. Customize the kits to meet everyone's personal needs and disasters common in your area.

To build a Disaster Kit:

Think about what you may use daily, and what you might do if those resources were limited and not available. Start with the basics, food, water, clean air, and any life-sustaining items. Members of your household need to maintain health, safety, and independence. Some basic supplies can include non-perishable and easy to prepare food items, a manual can opener, and water. Remember, you may be without electricity, and you may only have the amount of water that you have stored. 

You should have at least one gallon of water per person per day, half for drinking and half for sanitation. You may need more than this, depending on the specific needs of those in your household and the environment in which you live.

You might also need some necessary items, such as a flashlight and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. The NOAA weather radio is especially helpful because even if the power is out, it provides official emergency alerts. Some additional important items can include extra batteries, a First Aid kit, a seven-day supply of medications, copies of prescriptions and treatment information, backup power for medical or mobility devices, a multipurpose tool, sanitation, and hygiene items, copies of personal documents, current digital photos of loved ones, a cell phone and charger, emergency contact information, extra cash, an emergency blanket, and paper maps.

Preparedness is a process, so consider building your kit gradually by adding a few items each week until it's complete. Also don't forget to make a kit for pets or service animals, including food, water, and identification. Finally, everything in your kit needs to work when you need it. 

Check expiration dates on food, medications, and batteries at least twice a year, and replace anything that's expired or close to expiring.

Now that we've covered the essentials, it's important to think about customizing your kit. Different households have different needs and different regions face different types of disasters. 

For example, some weather radios include text displays and flashing alerts, which can be helpful for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. If a disaster is approaching or you need to evacuate, you could also be prepared to quickly gather additional items such as medical supplies like syringes or glucose meters, assistive or adaptive devices, communication boards, baby supplies, pet supplies, extra house, and vehicle keys. There are also additional items that may be helpful at home or in your kit, including a whistle, a respirator, matches, rain gear, towels, and work gloves, tools for securing your home, extra clothing, sturdy shoes, plastic sheeting, duct tape and scissors, household bleach, comfort items like books or games, blankets or sleeping bags, sunscreen, and possibly insect repellent. These items can provide added protection from the elements and make recovery easier. Once you understand the hazards common to your area, the next step is making a disaster plan.

Make a Disaster Plan:

Different disasters may require different actions. During a tornado, you may need to move to a basement or interior room without windows. During a house fire, everyone must evacuate immediately and meet at a designated location. 

Talk with everyone in your household about how to prepare for and respond to likely disasters. Assign responsibilities so everyone knows what to do and can work together as a team. If someone in your household is frequently away, make sure the plan still works without them. 

Individuals with access or functional needs may need additional planning, including creating a personal support network of at least three people. Also, insurance help is available when needed. Be sure to practice these plans with your support network at least twice a year, and don't forget to include pets in this plan. Service animals are allowed in all Red Cross shelters, and some shelters also accept pets. Contact your local services to find out what each shelter provides. 

A strong disaster plan includes specific details.

You should identify two ways to evacuate from every room in your home and from your neighborhood. Plan for separation by choosing two meeting places, one just outside your home and one outside your neighborhood. 

Transportation challenges should also be considered, especially for individuals using mobility equipment or without access to a vehicle.

Communication is Critical:

At all times, every household member should carry contact information of others, and important records should be stored securely with copies kept in your disaster kit. In case evacuation is required, you should also identify places to stay, one nearby location and one farther away. Once your plan is complete, regularly practice with household members and support networks.

Being informed is not just a one-time step; it's an ongoing process, so, learn how your community announces disaster warnings. Some areas use outdoor signs, while others rely on media alerts or smartphones. The NOAA weather radio or battery-powered radio allows you to stay informed during emergencies and as mentioned earlier, even during power outages.

It's also important to understand the difference between a watch and a warning. A watch means conditions are possible. 

Stay alert and prepare. A warning means danger is happening or is imminent, so take immediate action. 

Before traveling, learn about disaster risks in that area and how to respond. Downloading the Red Cross emergency app can help you monitor multiple emergency alerts, and finally, know your neighbors. Communities which look out for each other are stronger and secure during disasters.

NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It’s a nationwide radio service that provides weather alerts targeted to your location.

Preparing For Tornadoes:

A lot of the same guidance for tornadoes applies equally to hurricanes. One of the main differences between hurricanes and tornado preparation is that tornadoes often occur with less warning. Typically, we know if a hurricane is heading in our direction. 

Each year, approximately 1,200 tornadoes occur in the US, causing 1,500 injuries and about 70 deaths, most likely by flying debris. These twisters also cause about $400 million in damage. So, a few of you might have heard of the tornado alley. 

The media created this term to refer to a large area in central US, where tornadoes are most common. However, today, there is not just one tornado alley; they  can, and do, happen throughout the US. 

In the event of a tornado,  here is how to protect yourself, your household and property.

There are many things to keep in mind when preparing for a tornado. You first need to think about yourself before your household or property.

What To Do Before, During and After a Tornado:

First, let's start by understanding what tornadoes are. Columns of rapid and violently rotating air with wind speeds as high as 300 miles per hour are called tornadoes. Typically, they move at 0 to 20 miles per hour but can travel up to 60 miles per hour. When they touch down, their paths can be as much as a mile wide and 50 miles long. Tornadoes can destroy homes and buildings, debark and uproot trees and flip objects as big as trucks and mobile homes. This explains why most damage from tornadoes is caused by high winds or impact from flying debris. Damage can range from light to catastrophic, and injuries can range from minor to life-threatening, even by lower rated tornadoes which can cause fatalities.

A tornado may disrupt transportation, power, water, gas, communications, and other services in its direct path or neighboring areas. Tornadoes which start in thunderstorms, sometimes called supercells, often come with heavy rain, hail, and flash flooding. Generally, the bigger and more powerful a supercell, the more destructive the tornado is. Although severe tornadoes are most common in the plain states, such as Oklahoma and Texas, they can and do happen anywhere.

When you hear a loud and continuous train-like roar, it is likely a tornado is nearby. Tornadoes can occur in any season, or at any time, but most strike during the spring and summer between 3 and 9 p. In the southern plains, tornadoes are most likely to occur in May to early June. In the northern plains and upper Midwest, in June and July, and on the Gulf Coast, it is in early spring.

Tornado safety depends on understanding them, staying informed about conditions, and acting quickly.

Earlier, we mentioned watches and warnings. A tornado watch means a tornado is possible. Make sure everyone knows where to take shelter. If the weather gets worse, stay tuned to the NOAA weather radio to know when warnings are issued. A tornado warning means a tornado is occurring or will occur soon, and there is a serious threat to life and property. For those in the path of the tornado, you should immediately go to a safe place.

Once you receive a tornado warning, you don't have a lot of time. On average, tornado warnings are issued 11 minutes prior to the event, but warning times vary greatly, and it may be much less. It is also important to know that you may not always receive an official tornado alert in your area, so you may need to use your judgment to seek shelter when you see or hear a dangerous storm advancing.

If you or someone in your household has unique physical needs, create a personal support network, practice with them, and if needed, be sure you can quickly provide instructions to others on how to assist. Be sure to have at least a seven-day supply of prescription medicines and medical supplies, along with copies of prescriptions, lists of all medications and their dosages, lists of allergies, and lists of dietary restrictions. If you have a pet or service animal, be sure to include food, water, identification tags, and supplies. Include battery backup power for mobility devices depending on power, oxygen, and other assistive technology needs. In advance of a tornado, it is a good idea to check your disaster kit, replenish supplies that might be missing, expired, or in low supply. Be sure to check batteries in flashlights or radios, and if you don't already have a whistle in your kit, consider adding one, which will allow you to signal for help should you become trapped or unable to move. Tailor your plan for what you and your household will do during a tornado. This includes your pets. 

Talk to members of your household about tornadoes and what to expect. Then make sure everyone knows where the safe shelter is located, and what they should do when they get there. Practice at least once a year to see how quickly everyone can get to the designated safe shelter. If you have a personal support network for someone in your household, be sure to include them in this practice. Remember to also include practicing locating and bringing disaster kits and supplies to the safe location.

Before a tornado, it is also a good idea to place any important documents, such as insurance policies or birth certificates, and other valuables in a waterproof container to help keep them dry and easily accessible. Consider using a fire and water-resistance safe or a bank safe deposit box. Also, consider saving electronic copies or pictures of documents. Finally, you can stay informed by having access to a NOAA weather radio broadcast, if you don't have a battery-powered or hand-cranked charging radio, please consider getting one. If needed, be sure to get a weather radio with a text display or flashing alert to help you stay informed. You may also sign up in advance to receive emergency notifications from your local emergency services.

Safe shelter place in your home:

If your home has a basement, a storm cellar, or interior room on the lowest floor, these are the safest places to be. Your space should not have any windows. If you live in or work in a high-rise, you may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. In that case, move to the center of the building on the floor you live on. Again, look for a location with no windows.

If you live in a mobile home, identify a safe shelter place in a nearby sturdy building, or the closest tornado shelter. No mobile home is ever safe during a tornado!

You should also ask about tornado plans for your workplace, and your children's schools and daycare centers. Every building has a different safe place, and you should be familiar with where they are located. In the time leading up to or right before a tornado, your actions depend on how much time you have. 

If a tornado watch is issued, you may have a few moments for last-minute preparations before seeking shelter. Quickly check your disaster kit and keep it nearby. Prepare to quickly get to a shelter and inform  members of your household about the potentially bad weather. Bring your pets and service animals indoors and keep direct control of them. If you must use a local shelter, make sure you know the routes, and are considering moving closer to that location. If you have time, move and secure the things on your list of outdoor items or anything else that could be picked up by the wind and if you have storm shutters, close them.

Listen to the local area radio, like NOAA weather radio or TV, for the latest information on updates, and be aware that a tornado watch is not always issued before a tornado warning. Turbulent weather changes fast, and tornadoes can quickly form, so we can't always assume we will have a lot of advance notice, because some may be notified only a few minutes ahead. It is vital that you don't wait for a tornado warning to be issued, so,  if you see any of the danger signs, act.

Yet, if a tornado warning is issued, immediately take shelter and be sure to remember the basics of a safe shelter location. If you cannot walk, drive immediately to the closest shelter.

While transporting to a shelter, there are some very important things to remember. If you are riding to the shelter and start experiencing strong winds and flying debris, pull over and park and stay away from bridges and highway overpasses. These can intensify the strong winds accompanying a tornado. Keep seat belts on and the engine running to ensure your airbags deploy. Put your head below the level of the windows and if possible, cover your head with your hands and a  blanket. After the tornado has passed, check for injuries and then let friends and family know that you are safe. After the tornado passes, be prepared for continued heavy rain and strong wind. Encourage the person you’re with to watch for obstacles, wind, and rain. Watch your step to avoid broken glass and sharp debris and stay out of damaged buildings until authorities say it is safe to enter. Continue to take care of yourself and loved ones. If you are uncertain of the water quality, use bottled water, and check your refrigerated food for spoilage. 

If in doubt, throw it out:

Pay attention to how you and your loved ones are experiencing and handling stress, and help people who need additional assistance, including infants, older adults, those without transportation, and individuals with functional or access needs, and the people who care for them. If you must evacuate, only return home once local authorities say it is safe to do so, and remember your pets too if you have them. After storms, the number of animal injuries increases due to debris, so watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.

If you encounter an abandoned animal, use extreme caution. The combination of confused dogs and stressed out people increases the incident of dog bites. Remember, be sure to stay informed by listening to local news, and NOAA weather radio for updated information and instructions. 

Here are some things to do to get your home ready in the event of a tornado. If dangerous conditions have been forecast for your area, it is likely tornadoes are a possibility. Check around your yard and make sure any debris or loose items are removed or secured.

Remove any diseased or damaged tree limbs, which could easily break off and damage the roof. Bring some items inside, like tables or lawn and deck chairs. To make your house more storm safe, consider installing storm shutters to cover the windows, which can be closed quickly and provide the safest protection for glass windows. If possible, work with a professional to reinforce your home structure, who may recommend that you add anchors, clips, or straps to strengthen the connections of wood frame buildings. They may also reinforce masonry walls or strengthen garage doors to improve wind resistance, particularly double wide garage doors. 

Emergency Apps:

In both the Apple Store and the Google App Store, there are two apps. One is called Red Cross emergency. If you search for Red Cross, you will find both apps. 

One is called ‘Emergency’, and the other is called ‘First Aid’. These are accessible apps, and they work with voiceover. There are a variety of good features. 

For example, you can store in your ZIP code and several other people's ZIP codes that you want to monitor. If you have out-of-state family members, you can track the emergency situations in their area, and be notified of disasters, as well as them being alerted to emergencies in your area.

The app ‘First Aid’ contains excellent advice how to manage first-aid emergencies. They can inform you of what to do in the case of poisoning, burns, food allergies, cuts, heart attacks and more.

Contact Cards:

It is good to have an actual physical list written of the people who you want to be in touch with if the cell phone service is down. Another thing to consider is, if you go to a shelter, there may not be cell service, but they have communication equipment that does not rely on cell phone service. If your phone is  not working and you can't check your phone address book, you may need the actual phone numbers. 

So don’t rely on technology alone. Phones break or lose their charge, cell coverage goes out, and phone lines become overwhelmed. So, think about how you will communicate if those things are unavailable.

Unique Hobbies

Do you have a hobby. How about creating music where you aren’t playing an instrument or singing at all?

Ron Worley has engaged in a new hobby of creating music through an AI Software called Suno. With this software, one can write the lyrics to a song and put it to music. Ron is able to create everything about the song accept he doesn’t sing the song himself or playing an instrument at all; but it is an AI generated software that offers various voices that he selects to sing the song for him and the particular instruments he likes for each song. The perfectly human sounding vocalists and amazing instruments cannot be differentiated between a computer or an actual human creating a remarkable enjoyable musical peace.

Ron says that he can create the music that he likes to hear, with the exact words and whenever he wishes to play them. Most of his compilations are in the Christian Genre but he said that he has a couple love songs and one that is his personal theme song which is about blindness and could also be most any visually impaired persons theme song.

If you are interested in listening to his creations, search for the YouTube Channel called “Worley Family Music” and play any song you wish. He mentions that his most favorite one, other than the one that he wrote to his wife called “I didn’t Do It Alone” would be “Walking in the Spirit.” The song that speaks of blindness achievements is called “Walking By Strength And Not By Sight.” Click the like button by every song you like and subscribe to his channel so you will be alerted to the next song that drops. A link that would take you directly to his YouTube Channel is: