Animals are affected by disasters. One may remember the hundreds of stranded, lost, and homeless pets seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Many families prepare an emergency disaster plan, but not all of them remember to include their pets in these plans.

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The American Red Cross Mountain Valley Chapter has begun offering free emergency preparedness classes to area residents. Many have found themselves not knowing what to do when disaster strikes. The classes teach the students how to prepare for an emergency situation and will show what to do in unusual circumstances.

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The staff of the Surry County Chapter of the Red Cross in North Carolina found they were the ones needing help this weekend. Pipes in the ceiling burst and flooded the whole building. Frigid temperatures caused the break in the pipes.

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“Take a moment to imagine that there is an emergency, like a fire in your home, and you need to leave quickly. What are the best escape routes from your home? Find at least two ways out of each room. Now, write it down — you’ve got the beginning of a plan.”—The American Red Cross

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The American Red Cross’ Disaster Online Newsroom has posted a video of 2008’s top 5 disasters. These disasters were mostly weather-related.

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